Galathea tukitukimea
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| Galathea tukitukimea | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Anomura |
| Family: | Galatheidae |
| Genus: | Galathea |
| Species: | G. tukitukimea |
| Binomial name | |
| Galathea tukitukimea | |
Galathea tukitukimea is a species of squat lobster in the family Galatheidae.[2] Native to the southeastern Pacific Ocean, it inhabits deep waters surrounding Easter Island, where it appears to mimic and live in symbiosis with a species of sea urchin.
The species was observed and collected in March 2024 during a survey by the RV Falkor (too) from the Schmidt Ocean Institute. The expedition conducted 11 dives using the ROV SuBastian inside the Chilean EEZ, around Easter Island, Isla Salas y Gómez, and on seamounts in the Rapa Nui Multiple Use Marine Coastal Protected Area and Motu Motiro Hiva Marine Park. Specimens were sent to the Chilean National Museum of Natural History and the Catholic University of the North, where morphological and molecular data were used to identify them as belonging to a new species.[2]
The species' name was suggested by a Rapa Nui artist accompanying the expedition, and is derived from the Rapa Nui phrase tuki tuki mea (transl. "red dots"), in reference to the markings exhibited on the legs and carapace.[2]
Taxonomy
Galathea tukitukimea belongs to a species group within the Galathea genus identified by paired median protogastric and cardiac spines on the carapace. Morphological and molecular analysis indicates it is most closely related to Galathea profunda. Other members of the species group are found between Madagascar and Wallis and Futuna.[2]
