Ocypode ceratophthalmus (Pallas, 1772)

Devi, S. Suvarna, Mendoza, Jose C. E., Ravinesh, R., Idress Babu, K. K., Kumar, A. Biju & Ng, Peter K. L., 2019, On a collection of brachyuran crabs from Lakshadweep, Indian Ocean (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura), Zootaxa 4613 (3), pp. 477-501 : 492

Ocypode ceratophthalmus (Pallas, 1772)

Material examined. 2 males (40.0 x 34.9 mm, 64.6 x 52.7 mm) ( DABFUK), Kadamat, 28 June 2013 ; 1 female (67.7 x 59.2 mm) ( DABFUK), Minicoy, 20 August 2013 .

Remarks. Ocypode ceratophthalmus (Pallas, 1772) as currently understood is a species complex, currently under study by P.J.F. Davie, H.-T. Shih and P.K.L. Ng, with three genetically distinct forms present in the Indian Ocean. Two are the commonly recognised white-and-maroon morphs and are morphologically close, but can be separated by details of the stridulatory apparatus on its chela. One white-maroon morph represents Ocypode ceratophthalmus sensu stricto, which occurs on islands as well as continental landmasses as well as in most of Southeast Asia and East Asia. The second white-maroon morph is known mostly from isolated islands and appears allied to O. pallidula Hombron & Jacquinot, 1846 . Whether it is a new species or there is older name now listed under its extensive synonymy will need to be established. The third morph is the most distinct, with a prominent green to greenishyellow coloration in life and a diagnostic stridulatory structure on its chela. This green morph is almost certainly a new species and is known only from islands in the Indian Ocean (see also Orchard 2012; Ma et al. 2018).

All the material observed in the islands were of the green morph. The species was also observed on eight islands: viz; Agatti, Kavaratti, Amini, Chetlat, Androth, Bitra, Kilton and Kalpeni but specimens were not collected.