''Alpheus digitalis'' is a species of pistol shrimp in the family

Alpheidae Alpheidae is a family of caridean snapping shrimp, characterized by having asymmetrical claws, the larger of which is typically capable of producing a loud snapping sound. Other common names for animals in the group are pistol shrimp or alpheid s ...

. The species was first discovered after a taxonomic study of a snapping shrimp from the genus Alpheus from Japan and the Gulf of Thailand, of which, it was found that two species was confounded under ''A.digitalis'', which was originally described based on a single specimen possessing abnormal chelipeds.

Differences between ''A. digitalis'' & ''A.longiforceps''

Between the two species, the most unique difference is coloration and

morphology Morphology, from the Greek and meaning "study of shape", may refer to: Disciplines * Morphology (archaeology), study of the shapes or forms of artifacts * Morphology (astronomy), study of the shape of astronomical objects such as nebulae, galaxies ...

. ''A.longiforceps,'' the new species, can be differentiated from ''A.digitalis'' by the more slender (rather than connex), flexor margin, the longer male minor chela, more elongate dactylus, possession of a single (rather than two), obliquely transverse white bands on the spot which is located on the lateral surface of the fourth abdominal region. The present day new species is referred to the ''Alpheus brevirostris'' species group, mainly because of the compressed palm of the major

cheliped A chela ()also called a claw, nipper, or pinceris a pincer-like organ at the end of certain limbs of some arthropods. The name comes from Ancient Greek , through New Latin '. The plural form is chelae. Legs bearing a chela are called chelipeds. ...

and the subpatulate ductylus of the pereiopods 3 and 4.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q4474074 Alpheidae Crustaceans described in 1844

Differences between ''A. digitalis'' & ''A.longiforceps''

See also

References