Phrygiopilus strengerae ( Pretzmann, 1965 )

Magalhães, Célio & Wehrtmann, Ingo S., 2025, Taxonomic revision and distribution of the freshwater crabs of the family Pseudothelphusidae (Decapoda, Brachyura) from Guatemala, with the descriptions of two new species and keys to the species of all genera, Zoosystema 47 (26), pp. 581-615 : 593

Phrygiopilus strengerae ( Pretzmann, 1965)

( Figs 4J, K; 15)

Strengeria ( Spirothelphusa) strengerae Pretzmann, 1965: 8 ; 1971: 21; 1972: 94, figs 573-575, 581-583.

Phrygiopilus strengerae – Rodríguez 1982: 87; 2001: 440 (in key). — Villalobos F. 1982: 220 (in list). — Rodríguez Villalobos Hiriart & Álvarez 2008: 297 (in list). — Ng et al. 2008: 176 (in list). — Wehrtmann et al. 2016: 779 (in list). — Acevedo-Alonso & Cumberlidge 2022: 581 (Appendix 2, in list).

TYPE MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Holotype. Guatemala • 1 ♂ (23.4:14.1); Alta Verapaz, Cacao, Trace [= Trece] Aguas [probably Finca Trece Aguas, Hidroelectrica Secacao , at 15°24’35.27”N, 89°46’45.63”W; 805 m elev. – see Remarks]; VI.1907; G. P. Goll leg.; USNM 79372 .

DISTRIBUTION. — Guatemala ( Alta Verapaz) ( Pretzmann 1965) ( Fig. 15).

DESCRIPTION OF G1 ( Fig. 4J, K)

Stem markedly sinuous, distal portion noticeable curved in laterocephalic direction, compressed in caudocephalic direction, wider proximally in mesocaudal view; caudal margin, in mesocaudal view, with clear median discontinuity due to distinct rounded lateral lobe bearing minute setae better seen in caudal view; cephalic margin slightly convex medianly in mesocaudal view. Marginal plate fused subdistally to the caudal surface; irregular row of short setae longitudinally along proximal half of marginal plate. Marginal suture on mesial surface gently following the curvature of the stem, distinctly curved towards lateral side distally in mesial view; row of long and short setae along proximal portion of marginal suture. Marginal process wide, broadly rounded in mesocaudal view, not overreaching mesocaudal margin of apex. Lateral suture incomplete, marked by sulcus along first 3/4 of caudal surface, shallower distally. Mesial process absent. Cephalic surface weakly crenulate distally, cephalic process absent; mesial surface produced into large, rounded supra-apical process. Supra-apical process with laterocephalic surface bearing spines larger and more compacted towards cephalic side and along caudodistal margin, lateral margin nearly smooth; cephalic surface not folded proximally, slightly convex in caudocephalic direction medianly; mesocaudal surface smooth, distinctly concave. Supra-apical process slightly wider than long (ratio width/length roughly 1.2), approximately 0.2 times length of entire stem in mesocaudal view; tip rounded. Apex narrow, elongated mesolaterally, directed cephalad, lower margin finely crenulated, upper margin (basal portion of supra-apical process) wringled. Field of apical spines poorly developed, narrow, elongated mesolaterally, with minute spines.

REMARKS

This species is only known from the type locality. Reddell (1981: 317) supposed that “Cacao, Trece Aguas” was probably in the Seamay-Sejul karstik system, department of Alta Verapaz, but Caudell (1908) explained that “Cacao is situated in the Province of Alta Vera Paz, between Panzos and Senahú, at an altitude of about 900 feet, near the foot of the waterfalls, above which the coffee plantation of Trece Aguas is situated”. According to Google Earth ®, “Cacao, Trece Aguas” most likely refers to the Trece Aguas farm, Secacao hydroelectric dam, Senahú, department of Alta Verapaz.