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Scientists have identified two new species of hermit crab and an African spider crab variety on the Costa del Sol
Scientists carrying out extensive studies of crustaceans in Andalusian waters have made an incredible discovery after identifying three new crab species off the Costa del Sol coast.
Marine biologists from across Spain have been conducting a series of molecular and morphological studies on decapod populations in Andalusian waters, spotting two new species of hermit crab, of the Diogenes family, and one a spider crab (Inachus).
According to the CSIS Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (Superior Council of Scientific Investigations) which managed the research, the hermit crabs, Diogenes erythromanus and D. arguinensis, were discovered by biologist Bruno Almón from the Oceanographic Centre of Vigo (IEO/CSIC).
His study focused on populations of this particular species in the Iberian Peninsula in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (Icman/CSIC) and the University of Malaga.
Meanwhile researchers from the latter two institutes together with the University of Valencia stumbled across the spider crab 'Inachus gaditanus' whilst comparing other spider crabs collected in Wales.
"In both studies, the role of molecular techniques has been fundamental in order to confirm that these are new species, since morphology alone does not always allow us to reach these conclusions with certainty," said professor José A. Cuesta from Icman-CSIC.
"Everything suggests that all three are African species that have their northern distribution limit in the waters of the Iberian Peninsula," added Cuesta.
In the case of the spider crab, this is a species that until now was known by by the name 'Inachus phalangium', and is relatively common in rocky intertidal zones where it can be found under the anemones (ortiguillas) that protect it.
The hermit crabs join two others discovered in Andalucian waters by CSIC researchers: a pea crab, Pinnotheresbicristatus, and another hermit crab, Diogenes armatus, identified in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
"There are still several more new species found in Andalucian waters and other parts of the Iberian Peninsula which have still to be officially recorded, but it is a slow process. All the data must be gathered to confirm that we are dealing with a new species," added the professor.
Image: Icman/CSIC
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