Leptalpheus

Leptalpheus sp. 2

Fig. 18 F–J, 19C. D

Material examined. 1 female (cl 3.3 mm), MNHN-IU-2011-5246, Panama, Caribbean coast, Bocas del Toro, Isla Carenero, sand flat with seagrass, yabby pump, 0.5–1 m, leg. A. Anker, J.A. Vera Caripe, J.A. Baeza, 14.11.2006 [fcn 06-567].

Remarks. This female specimen is either a subadult or a juvenile of either a described or undescribed species of Leptalpheus. The shrimp moulted a few hours after capture, resulting in some softening and shrinking of the major chela during the preservation in 75% ethanol, although the armature of the fingers was not affected (Fig. 18 G). This specimen has only four articles in the carpus of the second pereiopod (Fig. 18 H); short, stout antennular peduncles, with the second article only slightly longer than wide, and with the stylocerite not reaching distal margin of the first article (Fig. 18 F); the frontal margin of the carapace somewhat produced anteriorly (Fig. 18 F); the diaeresis with a subacute tooth lateral to the deep mesial incision (Fig. 18 J); the eyestalks with a small anteromesial tubercle; and the colour pattern consisting of semitransparent background with large red chromatophores clustering in diffuse bands on the abdomen (Fig. 19 C, D). With only one, partly damaged and possibly immature specimen, it seems most appropriate to identify it tentatively as Leptalpheus sp., awaiting collection of new material in Bocas del Toro.