Alpheus caigeri sp. nov., a large and spectacular snapping shrimp from New Zealand (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae)

Alpheus caigeri sp. nov., a large and brightly coloured, free-living snapping shrimp, is described based on a single female specimen from Leigh, North Island, New Zealand, with additional photographic records from Taup & omacr; Bay and the Cavalli Islands, Bay of Islands. The new species is characterised by the presence of balaeniceps setae in females and appears to be morphologically closest to A. strenuus Dana 1852; A. cremnus Banner and Banner 1982, which is herein elevated to full species rank; A. australiensis Banner and Banner 1982; A. balaenodigitus Banner and Banner 1982; A. imitatrix De Man 1909; A. tricolor Anker 2001; and A. fasqueli Anker 2001. The new species may also have some phylogenetic affinities with A. tasmanicus Banner and Banner 1982; A. heronicus Banner and Banner 1982; A. pareuchirus Couti & egrave;re 1905; and A. bisincisus De Haan 1849. The vivid colour pattern of A. caigeri sp. nov. appears to be highly diagnostic for the species.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1857EF6A-204E-45D7-B8AE-7DAEE546844Dhttp://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A47837D5-81A6-45DE-88BC-0EDC9739F921