Eucrate liui sp. nov. (Crustacea, Brachyura, Euryplacidae), a new crab species from the South China Sea, with the first record of Eucrate tripunctata in the region

Eucrate de Haan, 1835 represents a relatively common goneplacoid genus occurring in benthic habitats of the Indo-West Pacific region, comprising eight recognized species. In the present study, we describe a new species from the South China Sea and report Eucrate tripunctata Campbell, 1969 in China for the first time. Eucrate liui sp. nov. bears a close resemblance to E. tripunctata but can be distinguished by various carapace features and gonopod morphology.

A molecular analysis of the new species based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I sequences supports the recognition of the new species. An updated key to Eucrate is also provided.