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Research Article
Revision of two species of Sinopotamon Bott, 1967 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Potamidae) endemic to China: a new combination and a new synonym
expand article infoRuxiao Wang‡, Da Pan‡, Hui Chen‡, Binqing Zhu§|, Hongying Sun‡
‡ Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
§ Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, China
| Research Station for Ecological Environment of Wuyi Mountains/Biodiversity Comprehensive Observation Station for Wuyi Mountains/State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biosafety, Nanping, China
Academic editor: Célio Magalhães
© 2022 Ruxiao Wang, Da Pan, Hui Chen, Binqing Zhu, Hongying Sun.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC0 Public Domain Dedication.
Citation: Wang R, Pan D, Chen H, Zhu B, Sun H (2022) Revision of two species of Sinopotamon Bott, 1967 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Potamidae) endemic to China: a new combination and a new synonym. ZooKeys 1112: 179-197. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1112.85278
ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2308C47E-483A-460A-B156-1A4D8DE50C28
Open Access

Abstract

The systematics of two problematic potamid species, Sinopotamon koatenense (Rathbun, 1904) and Sinopotamon wuyiensis Li, Lin, Cheng & Tang, 1985, both originally described from the Wuyi Mountains are resolved in this study. Sinopotamon koatenense is transferred to the genus Huananpotamon Dai & Ng, 1994, as the new combination Huananpotamon koatenense comb. nov. The new combination differs from its congeners in the form of the carapace, male pleon, male first gonopod, and vulvae. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences support the identification of Huananpotamon koatenense comb. nov. and a redescription is also provided. In addition, S. wuyiensis is confirmed as a junior synonym of Sinopotamon fukienense Dai & Chen, 1979 based on morphological similarities and phylogenetic lineages.

Keywords

16S rDNA, Huananpotamon koatenense comb. nov., Sinopotamon wuyiensis, systematics, taxonomy, Wuyishan National Park

Introduction

Guadun, also spelled Koaten or Kuatun, is located in Tongmu Village in the Wuyi Mountains, which has been under administration of the Wuyishan National Park since 2021; it is a well-known type locality for several herpetofauna species, e.g., Boulenophrys kuatunensis (Pope, 1929), Opisthotropis kuatunensis Pope, 1928. As early as 1873, Father Armand David collected a female freshwater crab specimen from Guadun, and preserved it at the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris (MNHN). Rathbun (1904) recognized the specimen as a new species, Potamon (Potamon) koatenensis Rathbun, 1904. With the establishment of the genus Sinopotamon Bott, 1967, Potamon (P.) koatenensis was then transferred to Sinopotamon, but had been regarded as a synonym of Sinopotamon denticulatum (A. Milne-Edwards, 1853) (Bott 1970). Although Ng et al. (2008) considered Sinopotamon koatenense as a valid species, Chu et al. (2018) synonymized S. koatenense with Sinopotamon fukienense Dai & Chen, 1979. To date, the taxonomic status and validity of S. koatenense has been debated for more than a century.

Sinopotamon wuyiensis Li, Lin, Cheng & Tang, 1985, was described from the Sangang, Tongmu Village in the Wuyi Mountains and has not been reported since its original description. Notably, except for Chu et al. (2018), neither Dai (1999) nor Ng et al. (2008) had listed the species in their species checklists. Consequently, the validity of S. wuyiensis has also been unconfirmed for nearly 40 years.

Recently, we conducted comprehensive surveys of freshwater crabs in the Wuyishan National Park and collected several specimens from the type localities of the abovementioned species (Fig. 1). Our morphological comparisons with the holotype of S. koatenense indicate that it was erroneously placed in Sinopotamon, and should be transferred to Huananpotamon Dai & Ng, 1994, as Huananpotamon koatenense comb. nov. Molecular phylogenetic analyses and detailed morphological comparisons with other Huananpotamon species indicate that the new combination as a species of Huananpotamon. The new combination is redescribed in the present study. In addition, S. wuyiensis is revised herein, suggesting that it is in fact a junior synonym of S. fukienense.

Figure 1. 

Localities of the sampling sites for Huananpotamon koatenense and Sinopotamon fukienense in the Wuyishan National Park, Fujian.

Material and methods

We conducted three comprehensive surveys of freshwater crabs at the Wuyishan National Park in March, November, and December of 2021. Specimens were collected by hand, preserved in 95% ethanol, and deposited in the freshwater crab collection of Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University (NNU), Nanjing, China. Measurements, in millimeters, are of carapace width and length, respectively. The abbreviations used in the text and figures are as follows: G1, male first gonopod; G2, male second gonopod; and a.s.l., above sea level. The terminology used here follows that of Dai (1999) and Davie et al. (2015).

Shih et al. (2016) proposed that Sinopotamon Bott, 1967 be split into two genera, Sinopotamon s. str. and Longpotamon Shih, Huang & Ng, 2016. The authors, however, indicate that Sinopotamon s. str. and Longpotamon each comprise two lineages based on extensive taxonomic sampling and comprehensive multi-locus phylogeny, and that another two new genera should be established. Therefore, until such taxonomic actions are made, we follow the classical taxonomic system proposed by Bott (1967) for Sinopotamon.

Total genomic DNA was extracted from gill tissue using the TreliefTM Animal Genomic DNA kit (Tsingke). 16S rDNA sequences were amplified using the primers 1471 and 1472 (Crandall and Fitzpatrick 1996). The protocol as follows: initial denaturation for 3 min at 95 °C, 35 cycles of denaturation for 15 s at 95 °C, annealing for 15 s at 48 °C, extension for 15 s at 72 °C, and final extension for 5 min at 72 °C. PCR products were sequenced on an ABI 3730 automatic sequencer. Newly generated sequences were deposited in GenBank (Table 1).

Table 1.
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The 16S rDNA sequences used in the phylogenetic analysis.

Species Locality Accession No. Reference
Ingroup taxa
Apotamonautes hainanensis bawanglingensis Haikou, Hainan MN737137 Pan et al. 2022
Apotamonautes hainanensis hainanensis Lean, Hainan AB428459 Shih et al. 2009
Bottapotamon lingchuanense Gongcheng, Guangxi NC049011 Pan et al. 2022
Candidiopotamon okinawense Ryukyus, Okinawa AB208627 Shih et al. 2006
Chinapotamon depressum Mashan, Guangxi MZ350918 Pan et al. 2022
Geothelphusa dehaani Chiba, Japan AB290630 Yeo et al. 2007
Geothelphusa albogilva Pingdong, Taiwan MZ350921 Pan et al. 2022
Hainanpotamon daiae Lingshu, Hainan MZ350922 Pan et al. 2022
Hainanpotamon fuchengense Haikou, Hainan AB428461 Shih et al. 2009
Huananpotamon angulatum Fuzhou, Fujian AB428454 Shih et al. 2009
Huananpotamon chongrenense Chongren, Jiangxi ON454341 This study
Huananpotamon guixiense Guixi, Jiangxi ON505056 This study
Huananpotamon koatenense Wuyishan, Fujian ON505057 This study
Huananpotamon koatenense Wuyishan, Fujian ON505058 This study
Huananpotamon lichuanense Lichuan, Jiangxi MN737141 Pan et al. 2022
Huananpotamon lini Songxi, Fujian ON454342 This study
Huananpotamon medium Nancheng, Jiangxi ON454342 This study
Huananpotamon sheni Shaowu, Fujian ON505059 This study
Huananpotamon yiyangense Yiyang, Jiangxi ON505060 This study
Minpotamon sp. Longhai, Fujian ON454347 This study
Minpotamon kityang Jieyang, Guangdong MN253481 Mao and Huang 2020
Minpotamon nasicum Longhai, Fujian AB428450 Shih et al. 2009
Nanhaipotamon hongkongense Hong Kong, China AB212869 Shih et al. 2005
Nanhaipotamon nanriense Putian, Fujian AB212868 Shih et al. 2005
Nanhaipotamon pinghense Heping, Guangdong AB433553 Shih et al. 2011
Nanhaipotamon pingyuanense Pingyuan,Guangdong AB265237 Shih et al. 2006
Nanhaipotamon wupingense Wuping, Fujian AB470496 Shih et al. 2011
Nanhaipotamon yongchuense Yongchun, Fujian AB433546 Shih et al. 2011
Neotiwaripotamon jianfengense Changjiang, Hainan MZ350933 Pan et al. 2022
Neotiwaripotamon whiteheadi Qiongzhong, Hainan MZ350934 Pan et al. 2022
Qianguimon elongatum Guangxi, China MG709240 Huang 2018
Sinolapotamon patellifer Lingchuan, Guangxi MZ350948 Pan et al. 2022
Outgroup taxa
Acantiapotamon inflatum Xuanen, Hubei MZ350902 Pan et al. 2022
Aiyunamon lushuiense Lushui, Yunnan MZ350919 Pan et al. 2022
Indochinamon jianchuanense Jianchuan, Yunnan MZ350928 Pan et al. 2022
Latopotamon obtortum Shuicheng, Guizhou MZ350930 Pan et al. 2022
Parapotamonoides endymion Kunming, Yunnan MZ350935 Pan et al. 2022
Potamiscus yiwuensis Yunnan, China AB428476 Shih et al. 2009
Sinopotamon fukienense Wuyishan, Fujian ON505061 This study
Sinopotamon fukienense Shaowu, Fujian KT586120 Ji et al. 2016
Tenuilapotamon joshuiense Leishan, Guizhou MZ350951 Pan et al. 2022
Tenuilapotamon latilum latilum Xianfeng, Hubei MN737132 Pan et al. 2022
Vadosapotamon sheni Rongjing, Sichuan MZ350958 Pan et al. 2022

A total of 43 sequences from the ingroup and outgroup taxa were used in the phylogenetic analyses, including 33 downloaded sequences (Table 1). Pan et al. (2022) showed that the genus Huananpotamon nested within the “South China-adjacent Islands” clade; therefore, closely related genera from the same clade, in particular the taxa of closely related genera from Fujian, Guangdong, and Jiangxi, and some others from adjacent islands, were included for the present phylogenetic analyses (Table 1). For the genus Huananpotamon, eight species from the adjacent area of the Wuyishan National Park were included, of which four species are morphologically most similar to H. koatenense (Table 1; Fig. 9). Ten species belonging to the closely related “Central China” and “Indochina-Southwest China” clades (Pan et al. 2022) were used as outgroups. Among them, two specimens of S. fukienense, collected from Guadun (Koaten) and Shaowu of Fujian Province were also included in our phylogenetic analyses (Table 1).

All sequences were aligned using MAFFT 7.487 (Katoh and Standley 2013) based on the G-INS-I method. The best-fit model was selected using jModelTest 2.1.10 (Darriba et al. 2012). Maximum likelihood (ML) analysis was implemented in IQ-TREE 1.6.12 (Nguyen et al. 2015) using the ultrafast bootstrapping approach (Minh et al. 2013) with 1000 replicates. MrBayes 3.2.7a (Ronquist et al. 2012) was used to perform Bayesian inference (BI) analysis. Two independent runs were carried out. In each run, four MCMC chains were run for 30 million generations, with every 100 generations being sampled. Convergence of two runs was checked using Tracer 1.6 (Rambaut et al. 2014). All effective sampling sizes (ESS) values were more than 200. The first 25% of samples from the MCMC chain were discarded as burn-in. The pairwise estimates of Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) distances (Kimura 1980) were calculated using MEGA X (Kumar et al. 2018).

Results

Taxonomy

Family Potamidae Ortmann, 1896

Subfamily Potamiscinae Bott, 1970

Genus Sinopotamon Bott, 1967

Sinopotamon fukienense Dai & Chen, 1979

Figs 2, 3

Sinopotamon fukienense Dai & Chen, 1979: 247, fig. 2(1)–(3); Dai 1999: 259, pl. 17 (7), fig. 136.

Sinopotamon wuyiensis Li, Lin, Cheng & Tang, 1985: 144, figs 1–6 [synonymy].

Material examined

2 males, 23.2 × 29.0 mm, NNU11B-211121SF1; 22.0 × 27.6 mm, NNU 11B-211121SF2, Guadun, Wuyishan National Park, Fujian, coll. Caixin Liu, Kangqin Zhang, Ruxiao Wang & Hongying Sun, 21 November 2021. 3 female, 17.5 × 22.3 mm, NNU 11B-211121SF3; 19.5 × 25.4 mm, NNU 11B-211121SF4; 20.5 × 26.1 mm, NNU 11B-211121SF5, same data as above. 1 male, 22.5 × 28.1 mm, NNU 11B-211217SF6, Guadun, Wuyishan National Park, Fujian, coll. Hui Chen, Yunlong Sun, Ruxiao Wang & Hongying Sun, 17 December 2021. 2 males, 17.9 × 22.2 mm, NNU 11B-211217SF7; 17.6 × 22.3 mm, NNU 11B-211217SF8, Tongmuguan, Wuyishan National Park, Fujian, same data as above. 1 female, 16.8 × 21.0 mm, NNU 11B-211217SF9, same data as above. 4 females, 17.9 × 23.7 mm, NNU 11B-211121SF10, Dazhulan, Wuyishan National Park, Fujian, coll. Caixin Liu, Kangqin Zhang, Ruxiao Wang & Hongying Sun, 21 November 2021. 3 females, 22.3 × 28.0 mm, NNU 11B-211215SF11; 17.0 × 21.2 mm, NNU 11B-211215SF12; 26.3 × 33.4 mm, NNU 11B-211215SF13, same data as above, 15 December 2021. 2 males, 22.5 × 29.0 mm, NNU 11B-211219SF14; 21.3 × 27.2 mm, NNU 11B-211219SF15, Longdu, Wuyishan National Park, Fujian, coll. Hui Chen, Yunlong Sun, Ruxiao Wang & Hongying Sun, 19 December 2021. 1 female, 21.8 × 27.7 mm, NNU 11B-211219SF16, same data as above. 1 male, 19.6 × 24.9 mm, NNU 11B-211218SF17, Qiaoxia, Wuyishan National Park, Fujian, coll. Hui Chen, Yunlong Sun, Ruxiao Wang & Hongying Sun, 18 December 2021. 1 female, 17.9 × 22.8 mm, NNU 11B-211218SF18, same data as above. 1 female, 35.5 × 43.4 mm, NNU 11B-211218SF19, Jiangdun, Wuyishan National Park, Fujian, same data as above.

Distribution and habitat

Jiangxi Province, and Minjiang basin in Fujian Province. The crabs were found under rocks in mountain streams.

Remarks

Sinopotamon wuyiensis was considered a new species based on its distinct morphological characters in both male and female specimens, especially in the male specimen having a pair of vulvae on sternite 6, which is not seen in any known species of Sinopotamon. Unfortunately, the type material of S. wuyiensis, which was originally deposited in Fujian Research Institute of Parasite Disease, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, is now lost (Youzhu Cheng, pers. comm.). Therefore, to investigate the status and validity of S. wuyiensis, we conducted comprehensive collections in Tongmu Village but found no record of S. wuyiensis in the area. Instead, we collected 21 new specimens from 14 localities within the area (Fig. 1), all of which were identified as S. fukienense by morphological comparison (Figs 2, 3). According to the original description of S. wuyiensis, apart from the unique male sternite 6, S. wuyiensis is identical with S. fukienense in most characters, including outer margin of external orbital angle lined with 5–7 granules (Fig. 2A; cf. Dai and Chen 1979; Li et al. 1985; Dai 1999); anterolateral margin ~ 2× as long as external orbital outer margin (Fig. 2A; cf. Dai and Chen 1979; Li et al. 1985; Dai 1999); G1 terminal segment tapering, tip directed outwards (Fig. 2D; cf. Dai and Chen 1979: fig. 2(1), (2); Li et al. 1985: figs 1, 2; Dai 1999: fig. 136(3), (4)), not reaching suture sternites 5/6 (Fig. 2D; cf. Dai and Chen 1979: fig. 2(1), (2); Li et al. 1985: figs 1, 2; Dai 1999: fig. 136(3), (4)), subterminal segment to terminal segment ratio ~ 2.5 (Fig. 2D; cf. Dai and Chen 1979; Li et al. 1985; Dai 1999); female pleon subovate, vulvae ovate (Fig. 3; cf. Dai and Chen 1979; Li et al. 1985: figs 5, 6; Dai 1999: fig. 136(7), (8)). Therefore, it is most likely that the holotype of S. wuyiensis is a rare gynandromorphic specimen (Youzhu Cheng, pers. comm.), rather than a representative of a new species. Therefore, S. wuyiensis is herein synonymized with S. fukienense.

Figure 2. 

Sinopotamon fukienense, male, 23.2 × 29.0 mm, NNU11B-211121SF1 A dorsal overall view ventral B view of anterior thoracic sternum and pleon C frontal view D ventral view of sterno-pleonal cavity with right G1 in situ (left G1 removed). Scale bars: 1.0 cm.

Figure 3. 

Sinopotamon fukienense, female, 22.5 × 29.0 mm, NNU 11B-211219SF14 A ventral view of pleon B ventral view showing female vulvae. Scale bars: 1.0 cm.

Genus Huananpotamon Dai & Ng, 1994

Huananpotamon koatenense (Rathbun, 1904), comb. nov.

Figs 4, 5, 6, 7A, 8A

Patamon (Potamon) koatenensis Rathbun, 1904: 308–309, pl. 13, fig. 3.

Sinopotamon koatenense (Rathbun, 1904): Ng et al. 2008: 166.

Type material

Potamon (P.) koatenensis, holotype, 1 female, 18.4 × 23.4 mm, MNHN-IU-2014-23011 (citation: http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/iu/2014-23011), 1200 m a.s.l., Koaten, Western Fujian Province, China, coll. Armand David, October 1873.

Other material

1 male 15.8 × 19.2 mm, NNU 16C-211220HK1, 27°42.40'N, 117°41.47'E, 890 m a.s.l., Guwangkeng, Tongmu Village, Wuyishan National Park, Fujian Province, China, coll. Hui Chen, Ruxiao Wang, Yunlong Sun & Hongying Sun, 20 December 2021. 2 females, 19.7 × 25.4 mm, NNU 16C-211220HK2; 14.9 × 18.8 mm, NNU 16C-211220HK3, same collection data as above. 2 females, 17.0 × 21.6 mm, NNU 16C-211220HK4; 14.3 × 17.6 mm, NNU 16C-211220HK5, 27°45.77'N, 117°41.23'E, 854 m a.s.l., Qiaoxia, Tongmu Village, Wuyishan National Park, Fujian Province, China, coll. Hui Chen, Ruxiao Wang, Yunlong Sun & Hongying Sun, 17 December 2021. 1 female, 13.6 × 16.8 mm, NNU 16C-211220HK6, 27°46.15'N, 117°41.28'E, 893 m a.s.l., Jiangdun, Tongmu Village, Wuyishan National Park, Fujian Province, China, coll. Hui Chen, Ruxiao Wang, Yunlong Sun & Hongying Sun, 18 December 2021.

Comparative material

Huananpotamon angulatum (Dai, Chen, Song, Fan, Lin & Zeng, 1979), male, 14.3 × 18.9 mm, NNU 11B-21413HA1, Jianou, Fujian, 1 April 2021; Huananpotamon lichuanense Dai, Zhou & Peng, 1995, male, 12.0 × 14.4 mm, NNU 11B-21320HL1, Lichuan, Jiangxi, 20 March 2021; Huananpotamon lini Cheng & Li, 2008, male, 16.5 × 18.8 mm, NNU 11B-211225HL1, Songxi, Fujian, 25 December 2021; Huananpotamon yiyangense Dai, Zhou & Peng, 1995, male, 13.7 × 16.3 mm, NNU 11B-21415HY1, Yiyang, Jiangxi, 15 April 2021.

Diagnosis

Carapace broader than long, dorsal surface slightly convex, finely pitted (Figs 4A, 6A, D); frontal margin distinctively bilobed, separated medially by shallow concavity (Figs 4A, 6A, D); epigastric cristae prominent, separated medially by distinct Y-shaped furrow (Figs 4A, 6A, D); postorbital cristae distinct, slightly rugose, confluent with epibranchial teeth (Figs 4A, 6A, D); anterolateral region convex, with rugose (Figs 4A, C, 6A, D). Third maxilliped exopod with flagellum (Figs 4A, 6A). G1 slender; tip part of terminal segment expanded, inner-distal angle prominent, outer-distal angle elongated, dagger-shaped (Figs 5B, G, 8A). G2 slender, terminal segment long (Fig. 5D). Vulvae without operculum, not reaching suture of sternites 5/6 anteriorly, closely spaced from one another, opening inwards (Fig. 6B).

Figure 4. 

Huananpotamon koatenense, male, 15.8 × 19.2 mm NNU 16C-211220HK1 A dorsal view B ventral view C frontal view D ventral view showing sterno-pleonal cavity with right G1 in situ. Scale bars: 1.0 cm.

Description

Carapace broader than long, regions distinct, dorsal surface gently convex, finely pitted (Figs 4A, 6A, D). Frontal margin distinctively bilobed, divided into two broad lobes, separated by shallow concavity, margin of each lobe gently convex (Figs 4A, 6A, D). Epigastric cristae prominent, separated medially by distinct Y-shaped furrow extending to frontal region (Figs 4A, 6A, D); postorbital cristae distinct, slightly rugose, confluent with epibranchial teeth (Figs 4A, 6A, D). Cervical grooves distinct, deep (Figs 4A, 6A, D); H-shaped groove shallow but distinct (Figs 4A, 6A, D); anterolateral region convex with weak rugae; posterolateral surface smooth, with oblique striae; posterolateral margins converging posteriorly (Figs 4A, 6A, D). External orbital angle distinct, sharp, triangular, outer margin longer in length to inner margin, outer margin lined with small granules (Figs 4A, 6A, D). Epibranchial tooth granular, clearly demarcated from external orbital tooth by small gap (Figs 4A, 6A, D). Anterolateral margin convex, lined with 15–18 granules (Figs 4A, C, 6A, D). Orbits ovate, large; supraorbital, infraorbital margins cristate, lined with numerous inconspicuous granules (Fig. 4C). Epistome posterior margin with median lobe broadly triangular, lateral margins almost straight (Fig. 4C).

Figure 5. 

Huananpotamon koatenense, male, 15.8 × 19.2 mm, NNU 16C-211220HK1 A left third maxilliped B left G1 (dorsal view) C left G1 (ventral view) D left G2 E male right cheliped F male left cheliped G left G1 terminal segment (lateral view). Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Ischium of third maxillipeds trapezoidal, length ~ 1.3× width, with distinct median oblique groove; merus subquadrate, length ~ 0.8× width (Figs 5A, 6B, E); exopod slender, reaching proximal one-third of merus length, with flagellum (Fig. 5A).

Chelipeds slightly asymmetrical (Figs 4A, 6A, D). Merus margins crenulated (Fig. 4A). Carpus surface wrinkled with sharp spine on inner margin, spinule at base (Fig. 4A). Major cheliped palm length ~ 1.4× height, surface rugose; fingers of major cheliped slightly curved, outer surface with rows of pits; dactylus 1.1× as long as palm length. Occlusal margin of both fingers lined with 11–15 irregular small teeth, forming small gape when fingers closed (Fig. 5E, F).

Figure 6. 

Female specimens compared in this study: Huananpotamon koatenense, 19.7 × 25.4 mm, NNU 16C-211220HK2 A dorsal view B thoracic sternum and vulvae C pleon. H. koatenense, holotype, 18.4 × 23.4 mm, MNHN-IU-2014-23011 D dorsal view E thoracic sternum and vulvae F pleon. Scale bars: 1.0 cm.

Ambulatory legs slender, surfaces and margins with scattered short setae (Figs 4A, 6A, D); second ambulatory leg longest, merus ~ 1.5× as long as dactylus (Figs 4A, 6A, D).

Thoracic sternum surface generally smooth, weakly pitted (Figs 4B, D, 6B, E); sternites 1, 2 fused, forming triangular structure, separated from sternite 3 by conspicuous suture; sternites 3, 4 completely fused without obvious median suture (Figs 4B, 6B, E). Male sterno-pleonal cavity reaching to imaginary line connecting median part of cheliped coxae (Fig. 4B, D). Male pleonal locking tubercle on median part of sternite 5 (Fig. 4D).

Male pleon triangular, surface smooth (Fig. 4B, D); somites 3–6 gradually decreasing in width; somite 6 width ~ 2.0× length; telson broad triangular, width ~ 1.6× length, apex rounded (Fig. 4B). Female pleon ovate; somite 6 width ~ 3.4× length; telson semicircular, width ~ 2.9× length (Fig. 6C, F).

G1 slender, bent dorsal-ward at proximal one-thirds (Fig. 5B, C); tip well exceeding pleonal locking tubercle in situ, reaching suture between thoracic sternites 4, 5 (Fig. 4D); subterminal segment length ~ 2.1× length of terminal segment; distal part of subterminal segment almost straight; terminal segment slender, inner margin slightly concave, outer margin straight, distally expanded, inner-distal angle high, rounded, outer-distal angle elongated, dagger-shaped (Fig. 5B, C, G); groove for G2 running mid-line of ventral surface (Fig. 5B). G2 slender, longer than G1, subterminal segment length ~ 1.7× length of terminal segment (Fig. 5D). Female vulvae on thoracic sternite 6, elongate-ovate, without distinct operculum, closely spaced from one another, opening inwards (Fig. 6B).

Live coloration

Generally dark brown to purplish brown. The immovable finger of the chelipeds and surrounding areas are pale yellow (Fig. 7A).

Figure 7. 

Huananpotamon koatenense A color in life B natural habitat. Photographs by Hongying Sun, 20 December 2021, Tongmu Village, Wuyishan National Park, Fujian Province, China.

Distribution and habitat

Tongmu Village, Wuyishan National Park, Fujian Province, China. This species lives in moist mud burrows under rocks near the small hillstream, ca 900 m a.s.l. (Fig. 7B). Bottapotamon engelhardti (Bott, 1967) was found to be sympatric with H. koatenense and appears to occupy the shallower parts of the streams and hides under rocks.

Remarks

Thanks to digitalization of the specimen, we are able to examine the photographs of the holotype of S. koatenense provided by MNHN (http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/iu/2014-23011). Potamon (P.) koatenensis can be distinguished from Sinopotamon by several characters: small sized (versus large sized in Sinopotamon; cf. Bott 1967; Dai 1999), external orbital angle acutely triangular (Fig. 6D) (versus external orbital angle broadly triangular in Sinopotamon; cf. Bott 1967; Dai 1999), maxilliped 3 ischium relatively broad (Fig. 6E) (versus maxilliped 3 ischium relatively narrow in Sinopotamon; cf. Bott 1967; Dai 1999; fig. 139(1)), ambulatory legs slender (Fig. 6D, E) (versus ambulatory legs stout in Sinopotamon; cf. Bott 1967; Dai 1999), male sterno-pleonal cavity relatively narrow (Fig. 6E) (versus male sterno-pleonal cavity relatively broad in Sinopotamon; cf. Bott 1967; Dai 1999), female pleon broadly ovate (Fig. 6F) (versus female pleon ovate in Sinopotamon; cf. Bott 1967; Dai 1999), vulvae relatively small and narrow (Fig. 6E) (versus vulvae relatively large and wide in Sinopotamon; cf. Bott 1967; Dai 1999). In contrast, the holotype of S. koatenense conforms well to the genus diagnosis for Huananpotamon: small sized (cf. Dai and Ng 1994; Dai 1999), postorbital region narrow (Fig. 6A, D; cf. Dai and Ng 1994; Dai 1999: pl. 7, fig. 7), external orbital angle acutely triangular (Fig. 6A, D; cf. Dai and Ng 1994; Dai 1999: pl. 7, fig. 7), maxilliped 3 ischium relatively broad (Fig. 6A, D; cf. Dai and Ng 1994: fig. 1; Dai 1999: fig. 66(1)), ambulatory legs slender (Fig. 6A, B, D, E; cf. Dai and Ng 1994; Dai 1999: pl. 7, fig. 7), male sterno-pleonal cavity relatively narrow (Fig. 6B, E; cf. Dai and Ng 1994: fig. 1; Dai 1999: fig. 66(8)), female pleon broadly ovate (Fig. 6C, F; cf. Dai and Ng 1994: fig. 1; Dai 1999: fig. 66(7)), vulvae small, ovate, not reaching the sutures of sternites 5/6 (Fig. 6B, E; cf. Dai and Ng 1994: fig. 1; Dai 1999: fig. 66(8)).

Figure 8. 

The ventral view of G1 A Huananpotamon koatenense, 15.8 × 19.2 mm, NNU 16C-211220HK1 B Huananpotamon angulatum, male, 14.3 × 18.9 mm, NNU 11B-21413HA1 C Huananpotamon lichuanense, male, 12.0 × 14.4 mm, NNU 11B-21320HL1 D Huananpotamon lini, male, 16.5 × 18.8 mm, NNU 11B-211225HL1 E Huananpotamon yiyangense, male, 13.7 × 16.3 mm, NNU 11B-21415HY1. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Huananpotamon koatenense is close to four other Huananpotamon species, H. angulatum (Dai, Chen, Song, Fan, Lin & Zeng, 1979), H. lichuanense Dai, Zhou & Peng, 1995, H. lini Cheng & Li, and H. yiyangense Dai, Zhou & Peng, 1995 in having slender G1 terminal segment, and elongated outer-distal angle of G1 terminal segment (Fig. 8). However, the G1 terminal segment of H. koatenense can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: inner margin of G1 terminal segment slightly concave (Fig. 8A) (versus inner margin of terminal segment relatively straight in H. lichuanense and H. lini; cf. Dai et al. 1995: fig. 3; Cheng et al. 2008: fig. 1; Fig. 8C, D), G1 terminal segment with inner-distal angle relatively higher, globular in shape (Fig. 8A) (versus terminal segment with inner-distal angle relatively lower, somewhat blunt in H. angulatum, H. lichuanense, and H. yiyangense; cf. Dai and Ng 1994: fig. 1; Dai et al. 1995: figs 1, 3; Fig. 8B–C, E), G1 terminal segment with outer-distal angle relatively short (Fig. 8A) (versus terminal segment outer-distal angle relatively elongated in H. angulatum, H. lichuanense, and H. yiyangense; cf. Dai and Ng 1994: fig. 1; Dai et al. 1995: figs 1, 3; Fig. 8B–C, E). Other differences existing in the external orbital teeth, epibranchial teeth, and vulva are listed in Table 2. In this study, only one male specimen was collected, so we did not have enough specimens to analyze intraspecific variations and this matter may require further investigation.

Table 2.
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Morphological differences among Huananpotamon koatenense, and the other four species of Huananpotamon, H. chongrenense, H. lini, H. medium, H. obtusum, and H. ruijinense.

Character External orbital tooth Epibranchial tooth Cleft between external orbital and epibranchial teeth Vulva
H. koatenense Sharp (Fig. 4A) Granular (Fig. 4A) Shallow (Fig. 4A) Ovate (Fig. 6B)
H. angulatum (cf. Dai & Ng, 1994: fig. 1) Sharp Granular Shallow Ovate
H. lichuanense (cf. Dai et al., 1995: fig. 3) Acutely sharp Granular Shallow Widely ovate
H. lini (cf. Cheng et al., 2008: fig. 1) Acutely sharp Rounded Deep, U-shaped Widely ovate
H. yiyangense (cf. Dai et al., 1995: fig. 1) Acutely sharp Rounded Shallow Ovate

Phylogenetic analyses

A total of 41 species from 21 genera were included in the present phylogenetic analyses. The phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using BI and ML and yielded similar phylogenetic topologies with some minor differences in the terminal lineages (Fig. 9). The phylogenetic relationship showed that the genus Huananpotamon is monophyletic and belongs to the “South China-adjacent Islands” clade (Pan et al. 2022) (Fig. 9). Huananpotamon koatenense is genetically closest to H. lichuanense in the phylogenetic tree. Except for H. angulatum, the interspecific K2P genetic distances between H. koatenense and its congeners range from 1.77% to 2.51% (Table 3). Although the K2P genetic distance between the new combination and H. guixiense is 1.77%, it is still larger than other interspecific distances of potamid crabs (e.g., 1.47% between Nanhaipotamon formosanum (Parisi, 1916) and Nanhaipotamon dongyinense Shih, Chen & Wang, 2005; 0.93% between Nanhaipotamon nanriense Dai, 1997 and Nanhaipotamon yongchuense Dai, 1997; cf. Shih et al. 2011; 1.47% between Minpotamon nasicum (Dai, Chen, Song, Fan, Lin & Zeng, 1979) and Minpotamon kityang Mao & Huang, 2020; cf. Mao and Huang 2020), and the two species occur far apart (~ 90 km) and can be easily distinguished by the morphological characters in G1 and external orbital teeth. Additionally, we note the smallest genetic distance of 0.27% between H. medium and H. yiyangense. It is nevertheless comparable with some other pairs of potamid species (e.g., 0.19% between Aparapotamon grahami (Rathbun, 1931) and Aparapotamon binchuanense Tan, Zhou & Zou, 2021; cf. Tan et al. 2021; 0.38% between Aparapotamon similium Dai & Chen, 1985 and Aparapotamon binchuanense Tan, Zhou & Zou, 2021; cf. Tan et al. 2021). Additionally, they can be distinguished from each other by their morphologies (Dai et al. 1995; Cheng et al. 2008). It is noteworthy that the K2P genetic distances between H. angulatum and other Huananpotamon species are relatively large, ranging from 3.80% to 6.38% (Table 3). However, H. angulatum is not morphologically or geographically distinct. Further phylogenetic study of Huananpotamon with more extensive sampling of geographical populations, species, and genetic markers is needed. The specimen of S. fukienense from the Tongmu Village, the type locality for S. wuyiensis, formed a monophyletic group with the specimen from Shaowu City, the type locality for S. fukienense (Fig. 9), without distinct genetic difference.

Table 3.
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Genetic distances of K2P pairwise genetic distances based on 16S rDNA sequences among Huananpotamon koatenense, other Huananpotamon species, and five taxa from allied genera.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
1. Huananpotamon angulatum
2. Huananpotamon chongrenense 3.80%
3. Huananpotamon guixiense 3.80% 0.92%
4. Huananpotamon koatenense 4.16% 2.23% 1.77%
5. Huananpotamon lichuanense 5.14% 3.51% 3.09% 2.24%
6. Huananpotamon medium 5.31% 2.40% 2.19% 2.02% 5.08%
7. Huananpotamon sheni 4.75% 1.34% 0.44% 2.27% 2.75% 0.89%
8. Huananpotamon yiyangense 6.38% 2.56% 1.67% 1.78% 3.18% 0.27% 1.58%
9. Huanpotamon lini 4.49% 1.57% 1.66% 2.51% 3.00% 1.12% 1.66% 0.88%
10. Minpotamon nasicum 9.05% 7.27% 7.03% 5.97% 8.02% 8.84% 7.21% 9.68% 7.21%
11. Nanhaipotamon pingyuanense 8.36% 5.63% 6.12% 5.78% 6.86% 8.92% 7.04% 8.26% 7.04% 9.21%
12. Chinapotamon depressum 8.26% 6.18% 6.44% 6.28% 7.84% 9.14% 7.02% 9.42% 7.62% 7.52% 7.08%
13. Qianguimon elongatum 9.53% 8.87% 8.62% 7.07% 9.97% 11.28% 8.91% 12.06% 9.22% 9.19% 10.08% 7.40%
14. Sinolapotamon patellifer 7.49% 6.84% 6.62% 6.28% 7.31% 9.05% 7.23% 9.31% 7.23% 7.51% 6.59% 5.89% 8.37%
Figure 9. 

A Bayesian inference tree based on the 16S rDNA sequence. Values at the nodes represent bootstrap (BS) and posterior probability (BPP) values for ML and BI, respectively. Only values higher than 70/0.5 (BS/BPP) are shown. Distribution areas of eight Huananpotamon species are shown in the upper left map using the tree colors.

Discussion

The type specimen of Potamon (Potamon) koatenensis is a female individual whose original type locality is recorded as Koaten (Guadun), Fujian Province, China, inhabiting an altitude of ca 1200 m (Rathbun 1904). The original description of the species is brief and minimally illustrated, and the significance of G1 in freshwater crab classification was not appreciated at that time, making correct judgments based solely on the original description difficult. Follow-up field surveys of the type locality of this species was also lacking. Therefore, it is no wonder that Bott (1970), Ng et al. (2008), and Chu et al. (2018) all followed the classification of Potamon (P.) koatenensis as a member of Sinopotamon. Therefore, to confidently resolve the long-standing controversy about the taxonomic status and validity of this species, we conducted comprehensive field surveys and collected specimens of H. koatenense in the surrounding areas of Guadun (Koaten) (Fig. 1). As informed by senior villagers, Father Armand David bought specimens from them in a church located in Guadun (Koaten). We therefore speculate that the holotype of H. koatenense was probably not actually collected in Guadun. Villagers may have collected the female specimen somewhere nearby, and taken it to the church. Based on the literature and our surveys, a total of eight Huananpotamon species are peripatrically distributed in the adjacent regions of the Wuyishan National Park (Fig. 9). To the best of our knowledge, H. koatenense is the only Huananpotamon species distributed inside and endemic to the Wuyishan National Park.

Previously, there were three freshwater crab species, S. koatenense, S. fukienense, and S. wuyiensis recorded in the area of the park. Based on our comprehensive surveys and research of the crabs in this area, there are still three species, namely, H. koatenense, S. fukienense, and B. engelhardti. The present study sheds some light on the biodiversity of freshwater crabs in the Wuyishan National Park, Fujian Province, China.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Peter K. L. Ng (National University of Singapore) for his fruitful discussions and encouragement. We also thank Yunlong Sun (College of Life Sciences, NNU) for assistance with sampling; Kangqin Zhang and Luyao Wang (College of Life Sciences, NNU) for help with lab work. Finally, we give a special thanks to the Subject editor and Chao Huang, Jongkar Grinang for greatly improving our manuscript. This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 32170454 to SHY), and the Project of Biological Resources Survey in Wuyishan National Park.

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