Description of a new species of Athanas Leach, 1814 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Alpheidae) from Madagascar and Japan

A new species of alpheid shrimp, Athanas ahyongi sp. nov., is described based on two type specimens from Nosy-Be,, Madagascar, and one additional specimen from Okinawa, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. The new species differs from all other species of Athanas by a unique combination of morphological features, mostly on the frontal region and chelipeds, and has a very characteristic colour pattern. The specimens from Nosy-Be were collected from burrows of unknown hosts, suggesting a commensal life style.