The identity of Pilumnoplax acanthomerus Rathbun, 1911 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Xanthidae), with new records from the central and western Pacific

Abstract

The identity of the rare xanthid crab, Pilumnoplax acanthomerus Rathbun, 1911, originally described from the AmiranteIslands in the western Indian Ocean, is elucidated. Števčić (2005) transferred the species from Pilumnoplax Stimpson,1858, to a new genus, Linnaeoxantho. This monotypic genus is re-diagnosed and new morphological characters are high-lighted. New records from Ryukyu and Line Islands, in the western and central Pacific, respectively, are reported. Linnae-oxantho is compared with the morphologically similar Melybia Stimpson, 1871, from the western Atlantic, and theiraffinities are discussed. Linnaeoxanthinae Števčić, 2005, is here recognised as a valid xanthid subfamily for Linnaeoxantho and Melybia, and is considered to have priority over Melybiidae Števčić, 2005.

Evolutionary relationships among American mud crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Xanthoidea) inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial markers, with comments on adult morphology

“…Lacking Linnaeoxantho in the present analyses, our findings cannot address affiliation between Linnaeoxantho and Melybia as proposed by Mendoza et al . (). However, if we assume that morphological similarities seen in these two genera reflect shared ancestry and not convergence, then the present analyses indicate a clear relationship between Linnaeoxanthinae and other xanthoid taxa but it does not appear to be part of the family Xanthidae as proposed by Ng et al .…”

“…() or Mendoza et al . (). In the present analysis, Melybia is recovered as sister to Pseudorhombilidae in a moderately well‐supported clade (BS73/pP100) with an undescribed genus and species that is morphologically similar to Garthiope barbadensis .…”

“…() recognized the genus Linnaeoxantho , they considered it to be part of Xanthinae along with Melybia . More recently, Mendoza, Clark & Ng () reviewed the identity of P . acanthomerus and agreed with Števčić in recognizing both Linnaeoxantho and the subfamily Linnaeoxanthinae, while considering Linnaeoxanthinae and Melybiidae synonyms, and noting the priority of Linnaeoxanthinae.…”

Harryplax severus, a new genus and species of an unusual coral rubble-inhabiting crab from Guam (Crustacea, Brachyura, Christmaplacidae)

“…suture 5/6 is the suture between sternites 5 and 6). Terminology essentially follows that of Mendoza and Manuel-Santos (2012), Mendoza et al (2012), and Naruse and Ng (2014).…”

Phylogenetic relationships of the ubiquitous coral reef crab subfamily Chlorodiellinae (Decapoda, Brachyura, Xanthidae)

“…; Mendoza & Guinot ; Mendoza & Manuel‐Santos ; Mendoza et al . ). This subfamily is characterized by spoon‐tipped chelae; a non‐projecting front; a broad, transversely ovate carapace; and a dactylo‐propodal locking mechanism on the walking legs ( sensu Serène ).…”