The fossil record of Glypturus (Decapoda: Axiidea: Callianassidae) revisited with additional observations and description of a new species

Abstract

The extent of propodal tuberculation is considered taxonomically important for species of the callianassid genus Glypturus (Decapoda: Axiidea). Based on cheliped material from the Middle-Late Miocene of Iran, Glypturuspersicus n. sp. is described here. It possesses no tuberculation on the outer surface of the major propodus, whereas its inner surface is moderately to heavily tuberculated in terms of its extent. It resembles extant Glypturus armatus, but this species is completely smooth on both propodal surfaces. A reappraisal of Glypturus toulai from the Early and Late Miocene of Panama is presented. Additionally, the type material of Glypturus fraasi from the Late Eocene of Egypt is figured. In the nature of tuberculation, an evolutionary trend is observable in Glypturus with the most tuberculated forms from the Palaeogene and less tuberculated forms from the Neogene. This trend is clearly seen in the possible West Atlantic lineage of the genus.