On a new genus and new species of montane freshwater crab (Brachyura: Potamidae) from Genting Highlands in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

A new genus and new species of potamid freshwater crab is described from Genting Highlands in the Central Highlands of Peninsular Malaysia. Beccazia licin n. gen., n. sp. is atypical among potamids in possessing a bilobed terminal segment of the mandibular palp, and is only the second known member of the family with such a character; the other genus being the recently described Gempala bilobata Ng & Ahmad, 2016, also from Peninsular Malaysia. All other congeners have a single terminal lobe on the mandibular palp. The carapace and third maxilliped morphology of Beccazia superficially resembles montane species of the Malaysian potamid Stoliczia Bott, 1966, but can easily be distinguished by its much smoother carapace, unarmed carpus of the cheliped and relatively wider male pleon.