Abstract
The present study provided information extending the known geographical distribution of three species of majoid crabs, the epialtids Acanthonyx dissimulatus Coelho, 1993, Epialtus bituberculatus H. Milne Edwards, 1834, and E. brasiliensis Dana, 1852. Specimens of both genera from different carcinological collections were studied by comparing morphological characters. We provide new data that extends the geographical distributions of E. bituberculatus to the coast of the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina (Brazil), and offer new records from Belize and Costa Rica. Epialtus brasiliensis is recorded for the first time in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), and A. dissimulatus is reported from Quintana Roo, Mexico. The distribution of A. dissimulatus, previously known as endemic to Brazil, has a gap between the states of Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro. However, this restricted southern distribution is herein amplified by the Mexican specimens.
Highlights
Acanthonyx dissimulatus Coelho, 1993 is a small crab known to occur from Piauí to Bahia (Coelho and Torres, 1993; Melo, 1996; Coelho et al, 2008) and São Paulo State (Mantelatto and Corrêa, 1996)
Tamburus and Mantelatto: Range extensions of Epialtidae crabs the geographical distributions of three species of epialtid crabs: Acanthonyx dissimulatus is reported from Mexico; Epialtus bituberculatus to the coast of the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina (Brazil), and offer new records from Belize and Costa Rica; and E. brasiliensis is recorded for the first time in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)
As part of a research project on the systematic of decapod crustaceans, specimens of both genera collected by us and from different carcinological collections were studied by comparing morphological characters based on Rathbun (1925, 1933), Coelho and Torres (1993), Melo (1996) and Hendrickx (1999)
Summary
The family Epialtidae MacLeay, 1838 includes 76 genera, among them Acanthonyx Latreille, 1828 and Epialtus H. Milne Edwards, 1834 with 17 and 11 valid species, respectively (Emparanza et al, 2007; Ng et al, 2008).Acanthonyx dissimulatus Coelho, 1993 is a small crab known to occur from Piauí to Bahia (Coelho and Torres, 1993; Melo, 1996; Coelho et al, 2008) and São Paulo State (Mantelatto and Corrêa, 1996). Tamburus and Mantelatto: Range extensions of Epialtidae crabs the geographical distributions of three species of epialtid crabs: Acanthonyx dissimulatus is reported from Mexico; Epialtus bituberculatus to the coast of the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina (Brazil), and offer new records from Belize and Costa Rica; and E. brasiliensis is recorded for the first time in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). Additional material: BRAZIL, Rio Grande do Norte, Potiguar Basin: 1 ovigerous female (CL 9.9 mm), 23/XI/2003, coll.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
