Crustacea; Decapoda; Palaemonidae;Periclimenaeus spp.nov., Indian Oceand, Maldive Islands

Two new species of the commensal shrimp genus Periclimenaeus Borradaile, found in the waters of the Maldive Islands, Indian Ocean, are desribed and illustrated. P. tchesunovi sp.nov. is related to P. rastrifer Bruce. The former may be distinguished by its deep rostrum, with dentition 6/1, the presence of supraorbital tubercles, and broad, spatulate fingers on the first pereiopds. P. zarenkovi sp.nov. closely resembles P. diplosomatis Bruce in the presence of minute denticulations on the dactylar cutting edge of the major second pereiopod, but differs from it by a deep rostrum with 5 dorsal teeth, more robust chelae of the second pereiopods, and small dorsal telson spines.