The systematic position of Cryptopotamonanacoluthon (Kemp, 1918), with the description of a new species of Sinolapotamon Tai & Sung, 1975 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Potamidae) from southern China

The systematics of the potamid freshwater crab Cryptopotamonanacoluthon (Kemp, 1918) is clarified, and its generic position in Sinolapotamon Tai & Sung, 1975, is confirmed based on morphological comparisons, geographical information and phylogenetic analyses. A new species of Sinolapotamon, Sinolapotamoncirratumsp. nov. is described from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. Sinolapotamoncirratumsp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of characters of its carapace, third maxilliped, anterolateral margin, and unique male first gonopod. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial COX1, 16S rRNA and 28S rRNA genes also support the species as new.

A New Genus and Two New Species of Freshwater Crab (Crustacea: Brachyura: Potamidae) with Unusual Coiled Tip of Male Second Gonopods from Yunnan, Southwestern China

Two new species of a new genus, Tortomon puer n. gen. n. sp. and T. gejiu n. gen. n. sp. are described from southern Yunnan, southwestern China, based on the morphology and mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences. The new genus resembles Tenuipotamon Dai, 1990 and Parvuspotamon Dai & Bo, 1994, but can be separated by characters of the male thoracic sternum, male pleon, male first gonopod, and especially the coiled tip of the male second gonopod. The latter character easily separates Tortomon n. gen. from known potamid genera. Notes on the general biology of the two new species are also included.

The freshwater crabs of Macau, with the description of a new species of Nanhaipotamon Bott, 1968 and the redescription of Nanhaipotamonwupingense Cheng, Yang, Zhong & Li, 2003 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Potamidae)

Four species of freshwater crabs from three genera and two families (Cantopotamonhengqinense Huang, Ahyong & Shih, 2017, Nanhaipotamonguangdongense Dai, 1997, Nanhaipotamonmacau sp. n., and Somanniathelphusazanklon Ng & Dudgeon, 1992) are documented from Macau for the first time. One new species, Nanhaipotamonmacau sp. n., is described. The large flap on the male first gonopod terminal segment sets it apart from all other known congeners except N.wupingense Cheng, Yang, Zhong & Li, 2003, from Fujian. Characters of the carapace, male first gonopod and size, however, clearly differentiate these two species. Preliminary genetic studies also suggest that the two are not closely related. A neotype is designated for N.wupingense. The taxonomic status of Nanhaipotamonguangdongense is also discussed. Notes on the general biology and conservation status of these crabs are also included.

A comparative study of the gastric ossicles of Trichodactylidae crabs (Brachyura: Decapoda) with comments on the role of diet and phylogeny in shaping morphological traits

The gastric armature of decapod foregut is a feeding structure that sparks controversial debates about the role dietary and historical components have in shaping its morphological traits. Having previous information about the natural diet is an interesting way to gather evidence on this issue. For the present study, we analyzed the morphological traits of gastric ossicles involved directly in the maceration of food in nine species of freshwater crabs of the family Trichodactylidae (Brachyura: Decapoda) representing five genera, three tribes and two subfamilies. The analyzed gastric ossicles were quite consistent among closely related species, suggesting that the observed traits had a clear phylogenetic component. However, it was also noted that the morphological traits of the gastric teeth of trichodactylid crabs match well with the natural diet and presented likeness with general features of other species with a similar trophic habit. We discuss the influence of phylogeny and function on the design of morphological traits and propose to quantify the role of phylogeny and function in shaping morphological traits through the analysis of phylogenetic signals.

Inactivation of Paragonimus westermani metacercariae in soy sauce-marinated and frozen freshwater crabs

Soy sauce-marinated freshwater crabs (Eriocheir japonicus) are a source of human paragonimiasis. The viability of Paragonimus westermani metacercariae (PwMc) in marinated crabs was investigated in an experimental setting. The PwMc collected from freshwater crayfish were inoculated into freshwater crabs, which were then frozen or marinated in soy sauce. All PwMc in the freshwater crabs were inactivated after freezing for 48 h at -20 °C and after freezing for 12 h at -40 °C. After marinating for 32 days, the survival rate of PwMc in 5% NaCl soy sauce was 50%, in 7.5% NaCl soy sauce it was 33.3%, and in 10.0% NaCl soy sauce it was 31.3%. When marinated for 64 days, all PwMc were inactivated in all experimental groups. These results revealed that freezing and soy sauce marination were detrimental to the survival of PwMc in freshwater crabs. Specifically, freezing crabs for more than 48 h or soaking them in soy sauce containing at least 5.0% NaCl for 64 days can inactivate PwMc. These results can inform the production of the traditional Korean soy sauce-marinated freshwater crabs known as gejang.