syn_novataxa: [Crustacea • 2025] Galathea tukitukimea • A New Species of Galathea (Decapoda: Galatheidae) from the seamounts of the Easter Island Area (Southeast Pacific Ocean Ridge) associated with a sea urchin

[Crustacea • 2025] Galathea tukitukimea • A New Species of Galathea (Decapoda: Galatheidae) from the seamounts of the Easter Island Area (Southeast Pacific Ocean Ridge) associated with a sea urchin

Galathea tukitukimea

Ángeles Gallardo Salamanca, Asorey & Macpherson, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1248.159542

Abstract

Galathea tukitukimea sp. nov. is described from the seamounts near Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and represents the first record of the genus for this region of the Pacific Ocean and for Chilean territory. The new species belongs to the group of species having the carapace with median protogastric and cardiac spines. G. tukitukimea has always been observed associated with the sea urchin Stereocidaris nascaensis. This potential mimicry-based association is uncommon in squat lobsters, which warrants further study.

Key words: Barcoding, Crustacea, Galatheoidea, symbiosis, taxonomy

Galathea tukitukimea sp. nov. , holotype, male (MNHNC DEC-15582) and paratype, female (SCBUCN6722). Color in life, dorsal view.

Galathea tukitukimea sp. nov. on Stereocidaris nascaensis in habitat.
A. Pukao seamount, depth 348 m; B. Motu Motiro Hiva Island, depth 407 m; C. G. tukitukimea on the spine of S. nascaensis. Image credit ROV SuBastian/Schmidt Ocean Institute, FKt240224 expedition.

Superfamily Galatheoidea Samouelle, 1819

Family Galatheidae Samouelle, 1819

Genus Galathea Fabricius, 1793

 Galathea tukitukimea sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet tukitukimea derives from the Rapa Nui words tuki tuki mea, meaning “red dots”, in reference to the vivid reddish spots on the carapace and pereiopods. The name was proposed by Serafina Moulton Tepano, a Rapa Nui artist who accompanied the FKt240224 expedition. It is treated as a noun in apposition.

María de los Ángeles Gallardo Salamanca, Cynthia Asorey, Enrique Macpherson. 2025. A New Species of Galathea (Decapoda, Galatheidae) from the seamounts of the Easter Island area (Southeast Pacific Ocean Ridge) associated with a sea urchin. ZooKeys. 1248: 111-123. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1248.159542