[Two new species of freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Potamidae) serving as intermediate hosts of Paragonimus in Fujian, China].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the natural resources of the freshwater crab which can serve as the intermediate hosts of Paragonimus in Pinghe and Youxi of Fujian Province. METHODS: Freshwater crabs were collected. The morphological characteristics of the crabs and the habitats were observed. The crabs were dissected and examined for the presence of Paragonimus metacercariae. RESULTS: Two new species of crabs were described, named as Sinopotamon zhangzhouense sp. nov. and Bottapotamon youxiense sp. nov.. S. zhangzhouense sp. nov., holotype male, carapace length 35.9 mm, breadth 42.8 mm, thickness 18.6 mm, collected from Pinghe County in southwest of Fujian. (24 degrees 14.206' N, 117 degrees 12.594' E). Distal segment of the first pleopod of male tended flattish, and showed palm nest-shaped concave, which divided into two point leafs, and longitudinal crack clearly identified in back. The end half of distal segment reversed to ventral outwardly. This species usually lived in the sluggish stream. The infection rate of Paragonimus westermani and P. cenocopiosus in S. zhangzhouense sp. nov. was 44.9% (35/78). B. youxiense sp. nov., holotype male, carapace length 13.35 mm, breadth 16.63 mm, thickness 7.20 mm, collected from Youxi County in central Fujian (26 degrees 10.558' N, 118 degrees 22.012' E). The first pleopod of male was in slightly flat shape, ample and developed, as bow-like uplift. This species usually lived in the relatively flat terrain of stream. The infection rate of P. skrjabini metacercariae in B. youxiense sp. nov. was 92.1% (58/63). CONCLUSION: Two new species of freshwater crabs (S. zhangzhouense sp nov. and Ryouxiense sp. nov.) serving as the intermediate hosts of Paragonimus have been described.