Additions and revisions to the family Munididae (Anomura: Galatheoidea) from South Africa, with description of a new species
Abstract
Squat lobsters of the family Munididae of South Africa have been severely neglected with little to no studies done on the group since the turn of the century. Relatively few species are known from the region, which otherwise has a diverse invertebrate fauna, suggesting that the South African munidid diversity has been underestimated. Accumulated material housed in the Natural History Collections of the Iziko South African Museum, some of which had remained there for decades without being identified, as well as samples opportunistically collected during the course of this study, were examined. Morphological analyses and DNA barcoding were used to add to, revise and update records of the regional munidid fauna. One new species of Trapezionida is described, while eight others (four of which are also new generic records for South Africa) are added to the regional fauna. Four other poorly-known species are redescribed and several other dubious records resolved. As a result, the number of munidid species in South Africa is raised from seven to 17. Moreover, a key to the South African munidid fauna is provided. In terms of distribution pattern, only two species were recorded off the west coast, while 15 were found off the east coast. Endemicity was remarkably low at about 6%, with Trapezionida longisandla sp. nov. being the only endemic species, though it likely also occurs outside South African waters. Though greatly enhancing knowledge to this important group, this study also highlights the need for more rigorous sampling and almost certainly more species remain to be discovered from the region.
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