Corresponding author: Tsyr-Huei Chiou (
Academic editor: I. Wehrtmann
The genus
Wang J-W, Chiou T-H (2017) Three new records of Nannosquillidae from Taiwan with notes on their ecology (Crustacea, Stomatopoda, Lysiosquilloidea). ZooKeys 721: 33–43.
Among the fourteen genera in the family of
Surveys of sand-dwelling stomatopods were conducted in April 2014, November 2014, and June–July 2017. All specimens were collected in a sand flat north of the Bitou fishing port in the Kenting National Park, Pingtung County, Taiwan. The approximate GPS coordinates are
Morphological terminology and abbreviations follow
Cornea subglobular. Eyes extending to the end of the
Rostral claw dactylus with 10–12 teeth. Propodus occlusal margin pectinate, with four movable spines proximally. Distal end of ischium ventrally armed with a short spine (Fig.
AS6 without ventrolateral spine anterior to the uropod articulation (Fig.
Uropodal protopod with single distal spine at inner margin above articulation of exopod; inner primary spine longer than outer. Outer margin of proximal uropodal exopod segment with three curved, movable spines, inner margin with 2–4 stiff setae. Exopod distal segment ovate and elongated. Endopod subtriangular and elongated (Fig.
French Polynesia and Australia to the Western Indian Ocean (
The specimens of
Morphology of telson in female and male
Cornea subglobular. Eyes reaching to the end of the
Rostral claw with 13–14 teeth on dactylus. Propodus pectinate; occlusal margin pectinate, and with 4 movable spines proximally. Distal end of ischium ventrally armed with slender spine (Fig.
AS6 with one ventrolateral spine at each lateral margin anterior to uropodal articulation; posterior margin on ventral surface with two spines directed posteriorly. Telson broader than long; dorsal surface smooth; mid-ventral surface covered with short spines. Lateral margin of telson with four broad and curved spines directed posteriorly, each ventro-medially flanked by slender spine. Posterior margin of telson depressed, forming a broad false eave with 21 posteriorly directed small spines, placed in row. Ventromedial telson margin with 12–13 submedian denticles either side of midline (Fig.
Uropodal protopod with two distal spines above proximal exopod articulation; with two primary spines, inner spine longer than outer spine. Outer margin of uropodal exopod proximal segment with 3 movable spines, inner margin with 2–4 stiff setae. Distal segment of exopod and endopod slender and elongated (Fig.
Based on
The telson of
Cornea subglobular. Eyes reaching to end of
Raptorial claw dactylus with 12–13 teeth; propodus occlusal margin pectinate, proximally with 4 movable spines. Distal end of ischium armed with an anteroventrally-directed spine (Fig.
AS6 with ventrolateral spine anterior to uropodal articulation (Fig.
Uropodal protopod with slender distal spine at inner margin above articulation of exopod. Outer margin of proximal uropodal exopod segment laterally armed with a short fixed spine; distally with4 straight movable spines directed posteriorly; medially with stiff seta. Exopod distal segment and endopod both ovate in shape (Fig.
New Caledonia through Timor Sea to northwest shelf, Australia, and now Taiwan. This is the first record of
According to
Probably due to the scarcity of specimens, the pairing and breeding systems of
In this study, only a tiny portion, approximately 150 m2, of a relative large and continuous sandy bottom of more than ten hectares were surveyed. In such a small area, three of the four known
The study site is located slightly south of the famous Shell Beach Preservation Zone of the Kenting National Park. While it might appear to be a uniform continuous sandy substrate, there could be some unobserved factors that support the coexistence of these
No research on
Stomatopod crustaceans are abundant worldwide throughout tropical and temperate waters, where they burrow in coral rock, coral rubble, or sandy benthic substrates (
We would like to thank scuba instructor Y.P. Lee for his assistance with this work. This research was supported by Ministry of Science and Technology grant to T.H.C. (102-2311-B006-002-MY3). Permits for collecting stomatopods were granted by Kenting National Park, Construction and Planning Agency Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan.