Fungicola Serène, 1968

Fungicola Fize & Serène, 1957: 122 [name unavailable].

Fungicola Serène, 1968: 396 .

Fungicora — Takeda & Tamura 1986: 64 [erroneous spelling].

Type species. Troglocarcinus utinomi Fize & Serène, 1956 [by original designation].

Diagnosis. Carapace rectangular, longer than broad, widest anterior to mid length, flat in lateral view, not deflected anteriorly (Fig. 1A). Carapace surface uneven, covered with small, low granules on posterior half, larger and rather spiniform on anterior half, mesogastric region slightly inflated, cardio-intestinal region outlined; frontal margin with spines, internal orbital angles nearly reaching level of external orbital angle; anterolateral margins with spinules of uneven size, few setae (Fig. 1A). Pterygostomial region fused to carapace. Ocular peduncles granulated on distal margin, cornea round to oval. Antennal segment two longer than broad, extending beyond eyestalk, distal margin with several lateral spines; lateral lobe of antennule oval, extending slightly beyond ocular peduncle. MXP3 with rectangular exopod, merus with distolateral projection, mesial margin granulated, with setae. Ventral thorax longer than broad, flat. Chelipeds slender, cutting edges entire; merus as well as upper borders of carpus, palm covered granulated. Upper margin of P2-4 coxae with forward protruding anterior lobes, merus with small spines. P5 slender, mostly smooth. Male abdomen rhomboid.

Colouration. Colour of carapace with striking brown, white patterns, pereiopods banded (Fig. 2A, C; adapted from Kropp 1990; Van der Meij 2015).

Remarks. A comparison between Fungicola and Mykescola gen. nov. is provided under the new genus description below.

Distribution. Indo-West Pacific (including the Red Sea) (Van der Meij 2015; Bähr et al. 2025).