RESUMEN
The alpheid genus Salmoneus Holthuis, 1955 is reported from Kuwait for the first time, with two species. One species, Salmoneus ikaros sp. nov., is described based on a single specimen from Failaka Island, extracted from the burrow of the callianassid ghost-shrimp Balsscallichirus masoomi (Tirmizi, 1970), together with the host. The new species is characterised by its peculiar eyes, which together with other characters separate it from all previously described species of Salmoneus. The second species, Salmoneus gracilipes Miya, 1972, is reported from Kuwait based on three specimens from two different localities and different habitats. Two specimens were found under coral rocks at a depth of about 7 m off Kubbar Island, whereas the third specimen was extracted from the burrow of the echiuran worm, Listriolobus cf. brevirostris Chen Yeh, 1958, at the type locality of S. ikaros sp. nov. at Failaka Island. Material identified as S. gracilipes from across its wide distribution range appears to be morphologically heterogeneous, possibly containing more than one species, and thus will need further studies.
Asunto(s)
Decápodos , Distribución Animal , Estructuras Animales , Animales , KuwaitRESUMEN
The status of the common intertidal snapping shrimp, Alpheus inopinatus Holthuis Gottlieb, 1958, is discussed based on newly collected material from Kuwait. Alpheus inopinatus was previously confused with morphologically very similar species in the Alpheus lobidens De Haan, 1849 species complex, formerly identified as A. crassimanus Heller, 1862 and herein tentatively referred to as A. cf. lobidens. The material herein examined strongly supports the validity of A. inopinatus based on several morphological characters, as well as differences in the colour pattern, compared to other members of the A. lobidens complex.