Integrative taxonomy reveals a new cryptic species of Raphidopus Stimpson, 1858 (Decapoda, Anomura, Porcellanidae) from the Yellow Sea and East China Sea

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Authors: B. L. Wang, Yuhan Wan, XUEFENG FANG, Jian-Wen Qiu, Dong Dong
Cited by: 1
References: 29

Abstract

Raphidopus ciliatus Stimpson, 1858 is believed to be widely distributed across the Indo-West Pacific and has been reported along the entire coast of China. However, molecular and morphological analyses reveal the presence of a cryptic species in northern Chinese waters, described herein as R. xinzhengi Dong, Wan & Wang sp. nov. The COI sequences of the two species of Raphidopus show 8.7–9.0% divergence, higher than each intraspecific variation. The new species can be distinguished from R. ciliatus primarily by the arrangement of granules on the cheliped carpus, the length/width ratio of the cheliped carpus, and the length/width ratio of the merus of the first ambulatory leg. An updated key to the species of the genus Raphidopus is provided.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Crustacean biology and ecology Marine Biology and Ecology Research Marine Sponges and Natural Products

Publication details

Journal / source
European Journal of Taxonomy
Publisher
Museum National D'Histoire Naturelle
Volume
1048
Publication date
9 April 2026
Language
EN