Alpheus formosus Gibbes, 1850

(Fig. 2 C)

Alpheus formosus Gibbes, 1850: 196 .

Material examined. 2 m, 3 f, 03.VIII.2008, Cairú, Tassimirim Beach, Boipeba Island, MZUESC 1320; 1 f, 1 ni, 16.V.2007, Santa Cruz Cabrália, Coroa Vermelha Beach, MZUESC 867; 1 ni, 16.V.2007, Santa Cruz Cabrália, Coroa Vermelha Beach, MZUESC 868.

Distribution. Western Atlantic—Bermuda, North Carolina to Brazil (Atol das Rocas, Fernando de Noronha, Ceará to São Paulo) (Christoffersen 1998; Anker et al. 2008b).

Ecological notes. Specimens were collected on coral reefs, from crevices of coral rubble and concretions of calcareous algae. Salinity range: 33–39 psu. Depth range: intertidal to 42 m (Anker et al. 2008b).

Previous records. Abrolhos (Gomes Corrêa 1972, as A. formosus; Christoffersen 1979, as A. formosus); Camamu Bay (Almeida et al. 2007b, as Alpheus cf. formosus).

Remarks. Alpheus formosus differs from the closely related A. paraformosus Anker, Hurt & Knowlton, 2008 in the presence of balaeniceps setae on the minor chela fingers in both sexes; the more posteriorly extending orbitorostral grooves; and some details of the color pattern (Anker et al. 2008b; see also Fig. 2 C). The latter species is currently known only from the western Caribbean Sea.