The Guard Coral Crabs of Familes Trapeziidae and Domeciidae (Superfamily Trapezoidea) from the Egyptian Red Sea Coasts, and Its Asscoiated Gulfs, Aqaba and Suez, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo

2 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo

3 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assiut

Abstract

A total of 6 species belong to families Domciidae and Trapeziidae (superfamily Trapezoidea: Brachyura: Decapoda) live in symbionts with branching stony corals in the shallow waters of the Egyptian coasts of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba and Gulf of Suez were recorded during this study. These species were carefully examined and revised. The first family (Domciidae) was represented by only one species, Domecia hispida; while family Trapeziidae has 5 species comprised: Trapezia bidentata, Tr. cymodoce, Tr. digitalis, Tr. guttata and Tr. tigrina. All 5 species of genus Trapezia are well represented in the Red Sea waters; while Gulf of Aqaba was inhabited with Tr. cymodoce, Tr. bidentata and Tr. tigrina, and Gulf of Suez was occupied with Tr. cymodoce and Tr. gutata, in addition to Domecia hisipida. A brief description on general character, size, localities, color, habitats, and distribution was given. Constructed keys for identification of genera and species were also given.

Keywords