Studies on the systematics of the New Zealand Majidae (Crustacea, Brachyura), with notes on some Australian species

Abstract

A total of 376 specimens have been examined belonging to 18 species. The New Zealand fauna is considered to comprise 10 genera and 18 species including Achaeopsis garthi, Eurynome bituberculatas and Leptomithrax garricki n.spp. Achaeopsis ramusculus (Baker) is recorded from these waters for the first time. Notomithrax n.gen. is proposed for those species formerly included in Paramithrax H. Milne Edwards. Leptomithrax richardsoni Dell is redescribed from adult material and Leptomithrax affinis Borradaile is considered to be synonymous with L. australis (Jacquinot & Lucas). Four Australian species, Acanthophrys tenuirostris (Haswell), Paramithrax barbicornis (Latreille), Leptomithrax sterno-costulatus (H. Milne Edwards) and L. gaimardii (H. Milne Edwards) are described, and the last shown to be synonymous with L. australiensis Miers and L. spinulosus Haswell. Diagnoses of all species are given and keys to genera and species are provided. The male first pleopod is figured for each species where possible. The classification used follows Garth's (1958) modification of that given by Balss (1929). Some aspects of the behaviour of two New Zealand species are briefly considered. The distribution and external relationships of the fauna are briefly considered. The majority of the New Zealand species are considered to be primitive and belong to the sub-family Majidae. Thirteen species are restricted to New Zealand