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Issue: Vol. 4394 No. 3: 15 Mar. 2018
Type: Article
Published: 2018-03-14
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4394.3.6
Page range: 407–416
Abstract views: 89
PDF downloaded: 1

Lost species in Cameroon: rediscovery of the endangered freshwater crab,
Louisea balssi (Bott, 1959) (Brachyura: Potamonautidae), with notes on its ecology and conservation

Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde 1, P.O. Box.812 Yaounde-Cameroon. Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany. Laboratory of Zoology, Higher Teacher Training College, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, P.O. Box 47, Yaounde, Cameroon. Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, 49855-5376, USA.
Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Invalidenstr. 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 IFZ, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
Laboratory of Zoology, Higher Teacher Training College, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Yaounde 1, P.O. Box 47, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, 49855-5376, USA.
Crustacea taxonomy Lake Manengouba threatened species IUCN Red List

Abstract

The rare and endangered Cameroonian potamonautid freshwater crab, Louisea balssi (Bott, 1959), was recently rediscovered after not having been seen for the last 109 years and presumed extinct. The new specimens of L. balssi were collected from the Southwest Region of Cameroon, about 80 km from the type locality, and include the first adult male to be recorded for this species. A redescription of L. balssi, which includes for the first time the adult characters of the male gonopods and chelipeds, is provided. New data on the habitat, population structure, and distribution of this species are also provided. Threats to the species and the implications to its conservation are discussed.

 

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