Redescription of Philyra sexangula Alcock, 1896 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Leucosiidae), with description of a new genus and species from the northern Indian Ocean

Abstract

The identity of Philyra sexangula Alcock, 1896 (Leucosiidae), an inhabitant of mangrove habitats, is clarified. The redescription of the lectotype male and examination of fresh material collected from Pichavaram mangrove forest located in Tamil Nadu State of India revealed that P. sexangula shows significant morphological differences from the generic characters of Philyra sensu stricto. Therefore, a new genus Bellayra gen. nov., is established herewith for the species. In addition, one new species, Bellayra persicum gen. nov., sp. nov., is described based on a syntype male of P. sexangula collected from the Persian Gulf. Furthermore, Philyra taekoae Takeda, 1972 and Philyra nishihirai Takeda and Nakasone, 1991, described from Japan are also transferred to Bellayra gen. nov.

Keywords:
India; Leucosiidae; mangroves; Persian Gulf; Systematics