The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the karst-dwelling crab, Terrapotamon thungwa (Crustacea: Brachyura: Potamidae)

Terrapotamon thungwa is a new species of terrestrial long-legged crab discovered in a karst landscape of southern Thailand. Here, we report the first complete mitochondrial genome of this crab species. The mitochondrial genome size is 16,156 base-pairs (bp), including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA), and two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The AT and GC content of the mitochondrial genome sequence is 73.2% and 26.8%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis with 26 crustacean species, based on 13 mitochondrial conserve genes, showed that T. thungwa was closely related to other freshwater crab species in the family Potamidae.

The complete mitogenome of the Thai soldier crab Mictyris thailandensis Davie, Wisespongpand & Shih, 2013 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Mictyridae)

Mictyris thailandensis has been described recently in the family Mictyridae which is found only in the Andaman Sea, west coast of Thailand. In this study, we performed shotgun genome sequencing of a male M. thailandensis using a paired-end (150 bp) sequencing chemistry on MGISEQ-2000RS and report the complete mitochondrial genome of M. thailandensis (15,557 bp). A total of 37 genes have been annotated: 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), and a control region. Comparative phylogenetic analysis with 29 crustaceans based on 13 conserved genes demonstrated that M. thailandensis is closely related to other soldier crabs in the family Mictyridae. The mitogenome of M. thailandensis presented here provides useful genetic information to help understand the evolutionary relationships among the Mictyridae family members.

Theosbaena loko sp. n. a new stygobiotic microshrimp (Thermosbaenacea: Halosbaenidae) from southern Thailand

Background

Thermosbaenaceans are subterranean crustaceans, widespread and occur in freshwater, oligohaline or anchialine caves or thermal springs. Currently, four families, seven genera,and 45 species are recognised worldwide. During our studies of the isolated karst, Tham Loko (Loko Cave) in Khao Chiason District, Phatthalung Province, we found an undescribed thermosbanacean species in the genus Theosbaena. Theosbaena is the only genus reported from freshwater in the Oriental Region. Previously, there were only two known species, Theosbaenacambodjiana Cals & Boutin, 1985 from Kampot Province, southern Cambodia and Khon Kaen, Thailand and T.kiatwongchai Rogers & Sanoamuang, 2016 discovered in a cave of Takhli District, Nakhon Sawan, central Thailand. Our new species is the third species recorded in the Oriental Region.

New information

Theosbaenaloko sp. n. differs from its congeners by having a telson 1.8x longer than its breadth, maxilla 1 palp distal segment 4x longer than the proximal palpomere and the maxillopodal exopod twice as long as its basal width. This microshrimp is the third described species of the genus. A key to the species is given and suggestions for the conservation status of the new species are discussed.

A new species of Coleusia Galil, 2006 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Leucosiidae) from southern Asia

A new species of leucosiid crab of the genus Coleusia Galil, 2006, is described from South and Southeast Asia. Coleusia huilianae n. sp. is distinguished from the superficially similar C. urania (Herbst, 1801) in the shape of the apical process of the first male gonopod which is digitate and curved laterally in the former (beak-like and curved interiorly in the latter); possessing smaller and sparser granulation on the posterior and lower margin of the cheliped and ambulatory meri; and the granulation is entirely missing from the lower external surface of the palm.