A new genus and three new species of alpheid shrimps (Crustacea, Decapoda, Caridea) from the tropical American coasts

Abstract

A new alpheid shrimp genus, Triacanthoneus n. gen., is established for three new species from shallow marine waters of Central and South America. Triacanthoneus toro n. sp., the type species of the new genus, is described based on four specimens from Bocas del Toro, Caribbean coast of Panama. Triacanthoneus pacificus n. sp. is described on the basis of a single type specimen from the Pacific coast of Panama and an additional specimen from Bahía Malaga, Pacific coast of Colombia. Finally, Triacanthoneus alacranes n. sp. is described based on a single specimen collected near Alacranes Reef, off Yucatán Peninsula in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Triacanthoneus shares many features with Salmoneus Holthuis, 1955, but can be easily distinguished by the presence of three very strong and sharp teeth on the carapace, one being in a mediodorsal position posterior to carapace mid-length, and two in a dorsolateral post-hepatic position. This carapace armature is unique within the family Alpheidae.