A revision of the systematic position of Periclimenaeus spinimanus Bruce, 1969 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pontoniinae) and the designation of Anisomenaeus gen. nov.

Abstract

In the course of studying a number of Indo-West Pacific species of the genus Periclimenaeus Borradaile, 1915, it was noticed that Periclimenaeus spinimanus Bruce, 1969, does not fit the current definition of the genus (Bruce 1995), where the species was unfortunately used to illustrate the genus Periclimenaeus. The species is known only from the type specimen collected off Ras Asir, Somalia, at 67.5–73.1 m, during the course of the R.V. Anton Bruun cruise 9 of the International Indian Ocean Expedition in 1964. A preliminary description was provided by Bruce (1969) and later, a more detailed illustrated description (Bruce 1978). The species lacks a molar process on the dactylus and an opposing fossa on the fixed finger of the major second pereiopod, the major diagnostic character of the genus Periclimenaeus Borradaile. A new mono-specific genus is now proposed for its reception.