Surveys of Afrotemperate forests yields two new freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes MacLeay, 1838) from South Africa

Sampling of remote inland aquatic habitats in South Africa has constantly been yielding novel endemic freshwater crab species (Potamonautes MacLeay,1838). During the present study, we report on discovery and description two new baziya sp. nov., P. mariepskoppie nov.) from Afrotemperate forested mountain regions Eastern Cape Mpumalanga provinces Africa, respectively. Phylogenetic evidence derived DNA sequence data three partial mitochondrial loci (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA cytochrome oxidase subunit one, COI) corroborates evolutionary distinction species. In addition, morphological ecological for further delineate their congeneric sister A comparison taxonomically important gonopods 1 2 carapace features among other known crabs was used to provide The suggest that mountainous areas or unsampled likely harbor several species, reiterating a call document biodiversity country.