A NEW SPECIES OF CARIDINA FROM SICHUAN PROVINCE (DECAPODA, ATYIDAE)

In May 1985, two male specimens of Cnridina were collected from Sichuan Province by the authors. The feature of the endopod of the first pleopod is very particular. We consider these male specimens to be a new species. The diagnosis of the new species is given as follows:Caridina spinipoda sp. nov.Rostrum reaches from the end of the first segment to the middle of the second segment of the antennular peduncle. The dorsal border bears 8-9 teeth, and it is without any teeth on the carapace behind the orbit. The ventral border bears 0-1 tooth. The antero-lateral angle has no pterygostomian spine.Carpus of the 1st peraeopod is about 1.7 times as long as wide. Carpus of the 2nd peraeopod is about 4.4 times as long as wide. Propodus of the 3rd peraeopod is about 3.4 times as long as dactylus. whicih is about 2.6 times as long as wide and bears 6 spinules. Propodus of the 5th peraeopod is about 2.5 times as long as dactylus, which is about 4.9 times as long as wide and bears 57 spinules.The endopod of the 1st pleopod is palm-shaped, it is about 2 times as long as wide, a longer and a shorter processes lie at the base. There are many stronger spinules on the edges of each process. The appendix interna is rod-shaped. The appendix masculina is rod-shaped and bears many spinules, it is swollen at the base.Comparison The proportion of the carpus of the 1st and 2nd peraeopods and propodus of the 3rd and 5th peraeopods and the shape of the appendix masculina of the present new species are closely allied to Caridina babaultiuides Yu, but differs from the later in the following features: 1. rostral teeth are less in number; 2. the dorsal border of the rostrum is without teeth on the carapace behind the orbit; 3. the antero-lateral angle of the carapace has no pterygostomian spine; 4. the shape and structure of the endopod of 1st male pleopod are different.Holotype ♂ (85-15-1), paratype 1 ♂, Mianzhu County (31°20'N, 104°11'E), Sichuan Province. May 28, 1985.