Homolid Crab Research Articles

First record of a homolid crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Homoloidea) from the early Eocene of the Iberian Peninsula

We describe a new species of homolid crab from the Ypresian (early Eocene) Roda Formation of Huesca province (Aragon, Spain). In spite of the fragmentary condition of the sole specimen, some preserved frontal elements, and in particular the complete left cheliped, allow inclusion it within the genus Paromola Wood-Mason in Wood-Mason and Alcock, 1891, based on morphological similarities with the extant species of this genus. Direct comparison with specimens of the extant Paromola cuvieri (Risso, 1815) confirms this systematic assignment. Paromola bretoni n. sp. is the first homolid reported in the Cenozoic of the Iberian Peninsula, and expands the rich decapod fossil record of the Eocene basins of southern Pyrenees.

The Homolidae of the Hawaiian Islands, with notes on the taxonomy of Moloha major (Kubo, 1936) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura)

Based partly on a collection of homolid crabs captured from baited traps in deep waters off French Frigate Shoals, Northwest Hawaiian Islands, in October 2006, the Hawaiian species of the family Homolidae are reviewed. Known genera and species in the Hawaiian Islands now include two species of Homola (H. orientalis and H. dickinsoni), two species of Lamoha (L. williamsi and L. personata), and five genera that are each represented by a single species (Paramola japonica, Moloha major, Yaldwynopsis hawaiiana, Latreillopsis okala, and Homologenus namakae). Seven of the 14 currently recognized genera of the Homolidae and nine of the 74 known species are now known from Hawaiian waters. Colour notes are included for the first time for two species (H. dickinsoni and Y. hawaiiana). A key to the family Homolidae in Hawaiian waters is included.

First records of three homolid crabs, Homolomannia sibogae Ihle, 1912, Latreillopsis bispinosa Henderson, 1888 and Moloha majora (Kubo, 1936) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Homolidae), from Korean waters

Three homolid crabs,Homolomannia sibogaeIhle, 1912,Latreillopsis bispinosaHenderson, 1888, andMoloha majora(Kubo, 1936) from around the Jeju Islands, southern Korean waters, are briefly described here. Although these species occur widely in the West Pacific or Indo-West Pacific, they all represent the first record of their species and genus in Korean waters. The family Homolidae currently comprises four species in Korea. Brief descriptions and illustrations of selected parts are provided in this article.

A new homolid crab, Zygastrocarcinus tricki sp. nov., from the Pierre Shale (middle Campanian), Baculite Mesa, Pueblo County, Colorado, USA

Abstract A new species of homolid crab, Zygastrocarcinus tricki sp. nov., is reported from the Late Cretaceous (middle Campanian, Baculites scotti Zone) of the Pierre Shale Formation (Baculite Mesa, Pueblo County, Colorado). This nearly complete homolid, hereto described is the sixth species assigned to the genus and extends our knowledge along with the geographical range and geological age of this taxon.

New Homolid Crab, Peedeehomola Deanbogani n. gen., n. sp., from the Peedee Formation (late Maastrichtian), Rocky Point Member, North Carolina, USA

A new homolid crab Peedeehomola new genus, with Peedeehomola deanbogani n. gen., n. sp., is reported from the Late Cretaceous (late Maastrichtian) of the Rocky Point Member of the Peedee Formation (North Carolina). Peedeehomola deanbogani n. gen., n. sp. possesses peculiar characters, such as the pseudorostral spine as long as the rostrum, the two supraorbital spines directed forward and the prominent anterolateral spine directed outward, not shared with any known genus within the Homolidae.

The species of Moloha Barnard, 1946, from the western Indian Ocean, with the description of a new species from India (Crustacea: Brachyura: Homolidae)

The taxonomy of the deep-water homolid crabs Moloha grandperrini Guinot & Richer de Forges, 1995 and M. alisae Guinot & Richer de Forges, 1995 is re-examined, and the types redescribed and figured. Moloha alisae is reported from South Africa for the first time. A new species with an inflated carapace, M. tumida sp. nov., is also described from southern India and compared with its closest congeners.

A new homolid crab, Zygastrocarcinus carolinasensis n. sp., from the Cretaceous (Campanian) of NE Mexico: implications for paleobiogeography

A new species of the homolid crab, Zygastrocarcinus carolinasensis n. sp., is reported from the Upper Cretaceous (upper Campanian) strata of Coahuila, NE Mexico. Only the anterior part of the ~8 mm wide carapace was preserved in addition to a part of the sternum (sternites 1-6). The sternum is the oldest figured example of a fossil homolid sternum, and also of the entire section of fossil Homoloida. The sternum seems to be similar to extant homolids in general outline, and to an earlier described Eocene homolid. Hitherto, Zygastrocarcinus spp. were only known from the northern part of the USA (Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota). Thus, the new species extends the geographic range of the genus during the Cretaceous to much of North America. Additionally, this is the second fossil homolid known from Mexico.

New western Pacific records of Homolidae De Haan, 1839, with descriptions of new species of Homolochunia Doflein, 1904, and Latreillopsis Henderson, 1888 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura)

Several species of rarely reported deep-sea homolid crabs are recorded from various locations in the western Pacific: Homola ikedai, H. mieensis, H. coriolisi, Homolomannia occlusa, Homolochunia kullar, H. valdiviae, H. gadaletae, Lamoha superciliosa, L. longipes, L. longirostris, L. inflata and Yaldwynopsis saguili. Two new species are described as new, Homolochunia menezi n. sp., from the Solomon Islands and Latreillopsis trispinosa n. sp. from the Philippines.

A New Species of Fossil Homolid Crab (Decapoda: Brachyura) from the Río Foyel Formation (Paleogene), Río Negro Province, Argentina

A previously undescribed fossil specimen of deep water crab belonging to the family Homolidae de Haan, 1839 was discovered in the collection of the Museo Paleontologica de Bariloche of Rio Negro Province, Argentina. The specimen is exceptional because one of the extra-lineal flanks is present. These lateral portions of the carapace are often absent in homolid crab specimens, due to disarticulation of the carapace along the lineae homolicae (Glaessner, 1969). The specimen was collected from the (middle?) Oligocene Rio Foyel Formation (Casadio et al., 2004), which crops out south of the town of San Carlos de Bariloche, in the foothills of the Andes Mountains (Fig. 1). Paleogene specimens of the Homolidae are exceedingly rare, due in large part to the lack of preserved rocks from deepwater environments (Feldmann et al., 1991), which they prefer in modern oceans. This specimen is of particular importance because it is not only the first reported fossil occurrence of the genus Paromola Wood-Mason, 1891 but also provides additional evidence as to the depositional environment of the Rio Foyel Formation. Figure 1 —Collection locality of Paromola vetula n. sp. specimen, near San Carlos de Bariloche, Rio Negro Province, Argentina. The Rio Foyel Formation was deposited within the Nirihuau Basin, Rio Negro Province, Argentina. The lithology of the Rio Foyel Formation is reported as being composed primarily of beds of massive shale with isolated fossiliferous calcareous concretions (Casadio et al., 2004). The concretions contain the remains of corals, brachiopods including Terebratula sp., several species of clams, gastropods, echinoids, and decapods (Casadio et al., 2004). The stratigraphy and exact age of the Rio Foyel Formation is currently a matter of debate. The region has been tectonically deformed, and outcrop exposures are limited. Various conflicting interpretations have been made regarding the depositional environment(s) and the age of the …

Decapod Crustaceans from the Maastrichtian Fox Hills Formation

Examination of all known specimens of decapod crustaceans from the Fox Hills Formation has resulted in recognition of five species and three distinctly different forms of pereiopods that cannot be assigned to a recognized taxon with certainty. Callichirus waagei n. sp. is proposed for a callianassid claw preserved within an Ophiomorpha burrow. Hoploparia sp. and Raninella oaheensis Bishop, 1978, are reported from the formation for the first time, and the cheliped of the latter species is noted, also for the first time. Latheticocarcinus shapiroi Bishop, 1988, the most common species of decapod in the formation, is re-described; the lateral flanks of this homolid crab are recognized for the first time, and the carapace is reconstructed. Necrocarcinus siouxensis Feldmann, Awotua and Welshenbaugh, 1976, is noted, but no new specimens were studied. All the decapods were preserved within concretions and all but one specimen of Hoploparia were disarticulated elements, suggesting that they may have been molted remains. Cuticle was well preserved and thin section examination of the lamellar structure of Hoploparia cuticle confirmed that, although thoroughly altered chemically, details of lamellar structure are retained.

NOTES ON THREE WESTERN ATLANTIC DEEP-SEA CRABS (DECAPODA, BRACHYURA)

In June of 1999, Dr. James Welch, at that time working at Harbor Branch Oc?anographie Institution, collected several specimens of deep-sea crabs using the submarine Johnson Sea Link II in the western Atlantic. Four specimens were sent to us for identification. In addition, video footage of some of the crabs taken just prior to their collection was also sent to us. In this note, we describe slight geographic range and/or depth extensions for all three species and provide the first observations on feeding behavior in the homolid crab Homola minima Guinot & Richer de Forges, 1995.

Isanthus Homolophilussp. nov. (Isanthidae: Actiniaria: Anthozoa) from French Polynesia

A new deep-water Actiniaria species,Isanthus homolophilussp. nov. is described from the French Polynesia. Morphological and ecological differences between the new species and the other known species of the genusIsanthusare discussed. The distinct morphological characteristics that distinguishI. homolophilus, are the presence of a tentaculated columnar margin, the tentacle number (84–96), and its cnida biometry. A further ecological characteristic is the distinct symbiotic relationship that the anemone exhibits towards the decapodHypsophiys inflata.During the biological researches of the ‘Service Mixte de Contrôle Biologique’ (SMCB) in French Polynesia (1986–1990) at depths ranging from 100 to 1120 m, a symbiotic association between a deep-water homolid crab,Hypsophrys inflataGuinot & Richer de Forges, 1981 and a sea anemone of the genusIsanthus(Actiniaria: Isanthidae) was collected. Even though this association was described by Guinot et al. (1995) and Chintiroglou et al. (1996), no concise description of the anemone is given. Thus, the goal of the present study was to provide a detailed description of the new anemone species and compare it with other species of the Isanthidae Carlgren, 1938 family.The methodology followed in our investigation was that of Doumenc & Foubert (1984) and Doumenc et al. (1985). Nematocyst nomenclature used was as proposed by England (1991). Abbreviations: MNHN (Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris).

TEN ARMS MEET TEN LEGS: DECAPODA (MOLLUSCA: CEPHALOPODA: SEPIOIDEA) SPAWN ON DECAPODA (CRUSTACEA: BRACHYURA: HOMOLIDAE)

ABSTRACT The first record of a homolid crab, Latreillopsis bispinosa, carrying cuttlefish eggs on its last pair of pereiopods is reported from the Philippine Islands. These eggs must have been laid directly on the crab by a species of Sepia.

Anemone-Carrying Behaviour in a Deep-Water Homolid Crab (Brachyura, Podotremata)

AbstractA new symbiotic association between a deep-water homolid crab, Hypsophrys inflata Guinot & Richer de Forges, 1981 (Brachyura, Podotremata, Homolidae) and a sea anemone of the genus Isanthus (Anthozoa, Actiniaria, Isanthidae) is described from French Polynesia. The crab carries the anemone on its modified last pairs of legs. It is suggested that this represents a mutualistic association.

Redescription, Description of the Male, and New Distribution Records for the Homolid Crab Paromola faxoni (Schmitt) in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

The homolid crab Paromola faxoni (Schmitt, 1921) is redescribed and compared to previous descriptions of the female holotype. The male is described and illustrated for the first time. New records of specimens from several museum collections on the west coast of the United States are presented. The range, formerly restricted to the type locality off Point Loma, Cali­ fornia, is extended north to Tajiguas, California, and south to Isla Cedros, Baja California, Mexico.

REDESCRIPTION, DESCRIPTION OF THE MALE, AND NEW DISTRIBUTION RECORDS FOR THE HOMOLID CRAB PAROMOLA FAXONI (SCHMITT) IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN

The homolid crab Paromola faxoni (Schmitt, 1921) is redescribed and compared to previous descriptions of the female holotype. The male is described and illustrated for the first time. New records of specimens from several museum collections on the west coast of the United States are presented. The range, formerly restricted to the type locality off Point Loma, Cali­ fornia, is extended north to Tajiguas, California, and south to Isla Cedros, Baja California, Mexico.

Homolopsis Pikeae, New Species (Decapoda), a Crab From the Cretaceous of Texas

ABSTRACT A single specimen representing a new species of a Cretaceous homolid crab occurs in the Notopocorystes Assemblage of the Cenomanian Britton Shale (Eagle Ford Group) at GarzaLittle Elm Reservoir, Denton County, Texas. Homolopsis pikeae is characterized by an ovate carapace with well-developed grooves, a raised cephalic arch surmounted by spinose areolations, and prominent tubercles on the lateral margins. The holotype is preserved as an internal carapace steinkern enclosed in an oxidized, phosphatic concretion and associated with abundant invertebrates. Review of the stratigraphic and geographic distribution of Homolopsis shows a pattern of development along the northern margin of the Tethys Seaway in western and northern Europe, and possibly in Australia, during the Early Cretaceous, and immigration into, and evolution in, the opening Atlantic and Western Interior Seaways of North America and northern Europe during the Late Cretaceous. Homolopsis pikeae extends the geographic range of Homolopsis into the Gulf Coastal Plain and its stratigraphic range lower into the Mid-Cretaceous in North America, patterns consistent with previously hypothesized evolutionary development in North America.

Carrying Behavior in the Family Homolidae (Decapoda: Brachyura)

ABSTRACT Underwater still photographs and videotapes show homolid crabs carrying pieces of sponges, antipatharians, and gorgonians between the dactyls and propodi of the fifth pereiopods. These materials are held over the posterior half of the carapace. The crabs can raise or lower the materials with their legs. The carrying behavior may be a defense against predators. The termini of the fifth pereiopods are chelate or subchelate, enabling the crabs to carry objects.

The first zoea ofParomola cuvieri(Risso) (Decapoda, Homolidae)

Abstract The first zoeal stage of Paromola cuvieri is described from larvae spawned by a captive female. Comparison is made with larvae of other homolid crabs.

Integumental organs of unknown function on chelipeds of deep-sea crabs, genus Hypsophrys.

Homolid crabs (Hypsophrys) from water deeper than 700 m in the Straits of Florida and Arabian Sea have smooth darkened oval spots contrasting with the surrounding roughened integument on inner and outer surfaces of each pincer at the base of the fixed finger. Cuticle is thinner over these spots than over surrounaing tissues. Beneath each spot is an organ composed of two markedly contrasting layers of tissue: (1) an outer, densely staining layer of tightly packed tubules, relatively straight and perpendicular to the overlying surface proximally but progressively convoluted and narrowed distally, finally ending blindly in association with the overlying thinned cuticle; (2) an inner layer of relatively large, eosinophilic, irregular cells with dark nuclei also trending at a right angle to the integument and bulging into the hemal sinus of the hand but separated from it by an epidermal lining. Droplets secreted from the inner layer apparently move into and along the tubules. Similar organs are known in no other crabs. The function is unknown but the structure suggests that they may be photophores.