Table Of ContentPROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
109(3):464-469. 1996.
Lonchodactylus messingi, a new genus and species of
Cyclodorippidae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) from the
Bahamas
Marcos Tavares and Rafael Lemaitre
(MT) Universidade Santa Ursula, Departamento Biologia Animal,
Rio de Janeiro 22231-045, Brazil;
(RL) Department of Invertebrate Zoology, National Museum ofNatural History,
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560, U.S.A.
—
Abstract. A new genus and species of the family Cyclodorippidae, Lon-
chodactylus messingi, is described from specimens collected in the Bahamas
using a research submersible. The new genus is more closely related to two
Indo-West Pacific genera {Genkaia Miyake & Takeda and Phyllotymolinum
Tavares) than to any other cyclodorippid from the coasts ofAmerica. Morpho-
logical similarities and differences between these genera are discussed.
Six genera and twenty species of the Lonchodactylus, new genus
family Cyclodorippidae Ortmann, 1892, are —
known from the western Atlantic and east- Type-species. Lonchodactylus messin-
ern Pacific of the Americas (Tavares gi, new species, by present designation and
monotypy.
1993a). Five of these genera are restricted —
to the New World waters, while Corycodus Diagnosis. Carapace longer than wide,
A. Milne Edwards, 1880, has one species slightly narrowing in width posteriorly.
in the western Atlantic and four in the Indo- Fronto-orbital width more than half cara-
West Pacific (Tavares 1993b). With the pace width. Lateral margin between bran-
present discovery in the Bahamas of a new chial tooth and posterior margin well de-
genus and species ofthis family, knowledge fined. Dorsal surface weakly sculptured,
ofthe western Atlantic cyclodorippid fauna frontal and hepatic regions depressed. Front
is now broadened. bluntly subtriangular, with 1 low rounded
The description presented herein is based tooth on each side. Lateral branchial tooth
on two specimens collected during dives in well developed. Lateral protogastric nodos-
the Bahamas of the research submersible ity distinct. Mesial protogastric nodosity in-
Johnson Sea Link I (JSL I) in 1993. The conspicuous. Gastric pits well marked. Gas-
specimens were obtained while conducting tric and cardiac regions outlinedlaterallyby
studies on the ecology and taphonomy of shallow, smooth furrows.
stalked crinoids. Exorbital tooth prominent, directed an-
The specimens have been deposited in terolaterally. Orbit shallow, dorsal margin
the collections of the National Museum of well defined, interrupted by shallow notch;
Natural History, Washington, D.C. ventral margin poorly defined. Lateral in-
(USNM). Descriptive terminology follows fraorbital tooth well developed. Eyestalk
that used by Tavares (1991). Measurements mobile, transverse in position relative to
of carapace length X carapace width are carapace axis. Antenna with article 1 mo-
given in millimeters (mm). Abbreviations: bile; articles 2, 3 fused in form of broad
MXPl-3, first to third maxillipeds; P2-P5, plate; articles 4, 5 broad.
second to fifth pereopods. Prostomial chamber short, shallow. Palp
VOLUME 109, NUMBER 3 465
of MXP3 visible in ventral view, inserted family the palp is inserted on the inner
just below inner angle of merus; segments face of the merus, hidden in ventral view,
2, 3 compressed dorsoventrally. Exopod of with articles 2 and 3 subcylindrical; 4) ab-
MXPl-3 with long flagellum. domen in both sexes with seven segments
Chelipeds similar in size and shape. P2 (number of segments in male of L. mes-
and P3 similar, dactyls lanceolate, laterally singi not known), whereas in all other
compressed; carpi each with 2 obtuse lobes genera the abdomen in both sexes has less
on dorsodistal angle. P4 and P5 short, sub- than seven segments, usually five in males
dorsal in position; dactyls hook-like, sim- (5-7 fused), and six in females (6, 7
ple; carpi each with acute lobe on dorso- fused), except for Corycodus with seven
distal angle. segments in the female; 5) in males, the
Thoracic stemites 6-8 nearly perpendic- abdominal somites cover thoracic stemi-
ular to plane formed by stemite 5; thoracic tes 5-8 so that no sternal portions are ex-
stemites 6, 7 contiguous. Sternal suture be- posed between the lateral margins of the
tween stemites 7 and 8 very long, openings abdomen and coxae of P2-P5; in males of
of spermathecae almost contiguous. Female all other genera in the family the abdomen
abdomen with 7 broad segments entirely is narrow, leaving exposed the sternal por-
covering thoracic stemites 5-8 leaving no tions between the lateral margins of the
exposed sternal portions between lateral abdomen and coxae of P2-P5.
margins of abdomen and coxae of P2-P5. Lonchodactylus can be differentiated
Females with first pleopod vestigial, unira- from both Genkaia andPhyllotymolinumby
&
mous, and inserted on ventral face of ab- the spermathecae (sensu Tavares Secre-
dominal somite; pleopods 2-5 biramous; tan 1993) and thoracic stemites. In Loncho-
pleopod 5 shorter than pleopods 2-4, not dactylus, sternal sutures 7/8 are very long,
carrying eg—gs. and the openings of the spemathecae, lo-
Gender. Ma—sculine. cated atthe end ofthese grooves, are almost
Etymology. The generic name is contiguous; in Genkaia and Phyllotymolin-
formed by the combination of two Greek um, the openings of the spermathecae are
words, lonche, spear, and daktylos, finger, well separated. In Lonchodactylus, the
and refer to the spear-like dactyls ofP2 and openings of the spermathecae are not indi-
P3. — cated by a distinct bulge as in Genkaia and
Remarks. This new genus shares more Phyllotymolinum. In Lonchodactylus, ster-
characters with two Indo-West Pacific nites 6-8 are nearly perpendicular relative
genera, Genkaia Miyake & Takeda, 1970, to the preceding sternites; in Genkaia and
and Phyllotymolinum Tavares, 1993b, Phyllotymolinum the stemites are at about
than with any other cyclodorippid genera 50°.
from the western Atlantic or eastern Pa- Lonchodactylus can be readily separated
cific. The three genera share the following from Genkaia by the shape ofthe plate re-
characters which distinguish them from sulting from the fusion of antennal articles
all others in the family: 1) endostome 2 and 3. In Lonchodactylus, the plate is not
short and shallow, whereas in other gen- expanded anteriorly (Fig. 2b); in Genkaia
era in the family the endostome is long the plate is expanded, and distinctly over-
and deep; 2) exopod of MXP3 with a well reaches antennal article 5 (see Tavares
developed flagellum, whereas all other 1993b, fig. lib). In Lonchodactylus, the
genera in the family lack a flagellum; 3) epistome is twice as long (Fig. 2b) as in
palp ofMXP3 inserted near inner angle of Genkaia (see Tavares 1993b, fig. lib). In
merus and visible in ventral view, with Lonchodactylus, the dactyls of P2 and P3
segments 2 and 3 compressed dorsoven- are broad, spear-like (Figs. 1, 2d); in Gen-
trally, whereas in all other genera in the kaia the dactyls of P2-P4 are slender (see
466 PROCEEDINGS OFTHE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Fig. L Lonchodactylus messingi, new genus and species. Holotype, dorsal view: ovigerous female, 6.8 X
6.3 mm, Bahamas, 26°38'N, 78°58'133"W, 262 m, USNM 275920.
Tavares 1993b, figs. lOb, lie). In females Lonchodactylus messingi, new species
ofLonchodactylus, thoracic sternite 7 does Figs. 1, 2
not overlap sternite 6; in females of Gen- —
kaia, sternite 7 partially overlaps sternite 6. Material examined. South of western
Lonchodactylus differs from Phyllotym- end ofGrand Bahama Island, Bahamas: ho-
olinum by the presence in the former, of lotype, ovigerous female, 6.8 X 6.3 mm,
vestigial, uniramous pleopods on the first JSL I Dive 3476, 26°38'N, 78°58'133"W,
abdominal somite in females. First pleo- 262 m, 16 May 1993, coll. C. G. Messing,
USNM
pods are absent in females of Phyllotymo- 275920; paratype, immaturefemale,
linum. 3.7 X 3.2 mm, JSL I Dive 3635, 26°38.6'N,
VOLUME NUMBER
109, 3 467
^..-^^^
f^>^v
%^'r:':f
ir-^
\
\
a
Fig. 2. Lonchodactylus messingi, new genus and species. Holotype, Bahamas, 26°38'N, 78°58'133"W, 262
m,USNM275920: a,anteriorregionofcarapaceandocularpeduncles,dorsalview;b,anteriorregionofcarapace
andbuccalframewithleftmouthpartsremoved, ventralview (forrightMXP3: ex, exopod, i, ischium;m,merus;
p, palp); c, right cheliped, external face; d, left P3, dorsal view (not all tubercles shown, see Fig. 1); e, right
P5, dorsal view. Scale equals 1 mm.
468 PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
78°58.1'W, 7 Nov 1993, 265 m, coll. C. G. outer surface; cutting edge with 7 or 8 cal-
USNM
Messing, —275982. careous teeth. Dactyl longer than palm, set
Description. Carapace (Fig. 1) about obliquely relative to palm axis. Fixed finger
1.1 times as long as broad, with scattered, 1.5 times broader basally than dactyl. Palm
short plumose setae. Dorsal surface densely broader than long; dorsal margin crest-like;
covered with small tubercles except on ventral margin with prominent rounded
smooth, narrow lines defining cardiac and protuberance distally; outer surface with
gastric regions. Ventrolateral surfaces of longitudinal row of 3 lobes on dorsolateral
carapace densely covered with slightly margin, and 1 lobe on ventroproximal an-
smaller, more spaced tubercles than on dor- gle. Merus and carpus each with blunt dor-
sal surface. Frontal region basally forming sodistal projection or spine.
blunt inner orbital tooth on each side. An- P2 and P3 (Figs. 1, 2d) similar exceptfor
terolateral margin (exorbital tooth to bran- length and setation pattern on carpi, pro-
chial tooth) broadly rounded, less than 2 podi, and dactyls. P2 shorter than P3; car-
times as long as posterolateral margin pus, merus, and propodus with dorsal fringe
(branchial tooth to posterior margin). Pos- (lacking on P3) of long plumose setae di-
terolateral margin sinuous, well defined by rected posteriorly over dorsal surface of
row of small tubercles; with low protuber- segments (Fig. 1, plumose condition not
ance on anterior half. shown). P2 and P3 each with propodus and
Ocular peduncle (Figs. 1, 2a, b) covered dactyl with narrowly grooved ventral mar-
with small tubercles; with blunt anterodistal gins bearing row of long plumose setae
lobe; corneal extension terminating in tu- (Fig. 2d), each groove flanked on each side
bercle; cornea pigmented. Antennular pe- by row of small spines; dactyls terminating
duncle (Figs. 1, 2b) hidden (in dorsal view) in sharp tip, with larger distal spine on
when retracted, penultimate and ultimate
proximal end ofdistal third; meri, carpi and
articles subequal in length; penultimate ar-
propodi each with blunt or sharp tubercles
ticle armed with small spines on anterior
on lateral and mesial surfaces; meri with
surface. Antennal peduncle (Figs. 1, 2b) row of blunt or sharp spines on ventrolat-
covered with small tubercles; plateresulting
eral margin.
from fusion ofarticles 2, 3, slightly broader
P4 and P5 (Fig. 2e) similar except for P4
than long; articles 4, 5 increasing in width
with segments shorter and broader than P5.
distally; article 5 produced distolaterally
Meri and carpi with small tubercles dimin-
into rounded lobe; flagellum short, subequal
ishing in size and density on dorsal sur-
to greatest width of antennal article 5.
faces; with row ofspines on ventral margin.
Third maxilliped (Fig. 2b) with outer sur-
Carpi each with small tubercles diminishing
faces covered with small tubercles. Palp
with 2 distal articles subequal in length, in size and density on ventral surface. Pro-
proximal article longest; articles setose on podi each with row of small spines on dor-
internal, mesial margin. Ischium and merus sal margin; with irregular row of 7 long,
each more than 2 times as long as broad. slender, movable corneous spines onventral
Chelipeds (Figs. 1, 2c) densely covered margin.
with small tubercles, less dense and smaller Female abdomen densely covered with
on inner surfaces; inner surfaces of merus, small tubercles. Somites 3-5 each with
carpus and chela forming concave surface blunt median spine; somites 3, 4 each with
fitting closely to walls of carapace; dorsal blunt lateral spine on each side. Telson of
and ventral margins ofmerus, carpus, palm, holotype triangular with lateral margins
and fingers, well defined. Fingers terminat- broadly rounded; about 1.6 times as wide
ing in sharp calcareous tips crossed when as long. Telson of immature paratype nar-
closed; each with 2 longitudinal ridges on rower than in holotype, triangular with lat-
——
VOLUME 109, NUMBER 3 469
eral margins nearly straight; about 1.2 times Literature Cited
as wide as long.
mm
Eggs (preserved in alcohol) about 1 Milne Edwards, A. 1880. Etudes preliminaires surles
in diameter. — crustaces, \"^Partie. In Reporton the resultsof
Distribution. Known only from the dredging, under the supervision of Alexander
western end of Grand Bahama Island, Ba- Agassiz, in the GulfofMexico, and in the Ca-
ribbean Sea, 1877, '78, '79, by the United
hamas; 262 m.
— States Coast Survey Steamer "Blake", Lieut.
Etymology. The species is named for Commander CD. Sigsbee, U.S.N., and Com-
our colleague Charles G. Messing, who col- mander J.R. Bartlett, U.S.N., commanding.
lected the specimen, and in recognition of Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zool-
his efforts to advance our knowledge ofthe Miyakeo,gSy.,H&arMv.arTdakCeodlal.ege1987(01.):A1-r6e8m,apriksab1l,e2.species
tropical western Atlantic invertebratefauna.
of the Dromiacea (Crustacea Decapoda) from
Habi—tat (from C. G. Messing's field the Tsushina Islands, Japan.—Occasional Pa-
notes). The single specimen of Loncho- pers of Zoological Laboratory Faculty of Ag-
dactylus messingi was found on a gently riculture Kyushu University, Fukuoka 3:19-28,
sloping hard bottom, veneered with sedi- figs. 1-2.
ment, with a few low outcrops, and virtu- Ortmann, A. 1892. Die Abtheilungen Hippidea,
Dromiidea und Oxystomata: Die Decapoden-
ally barren except for scattered crinoids and Krebse des Strassburger Museums, mit beson-
Thalassia seagrass blades. Crinoids present derer Beriicksichtigungder von Herrn Dr. Dod-
m
about 3 from the collecting site included erleinbeiJapanundbeidenLiu-Kiu-Inselnges-
the isocrinid Cenocrinus asterius (L.), and ammelten und z.Z. im Strassbu—rger Museum
the comatulids Crinometra brevipinna aufbewahrten Formen. 5. Theil. Zoologische
(Pourtales) and Comactinia meridionalis Jahrbiicher, Abtheilung fiirSystematik, Geogra-
phicundBiologicderThiere6:532-588, pi. 26.
hartlaubi Messing. Tavares, M. 1991. Revisionpreliminairedugenre ry-
molusStimpson,avecladescriptionde Tymolus
Acknowledgments
brucei sp. nov. d'Australie occidenta—le (Crus-
We are grateful to Charles "Chuck" G. tacea, Brachyura, Cyclodorippoidea). Bulletin
NOVA du Museum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris
Messing (Oceanographic Center,
(4), 13, sect. A, (3-4):439-456, figs. 1-10.
Southeastern University, Dania, Florida), . 1993a. Description preliminaire de quatre
for trusting us with the study of this inter- nouveaux genres et trois nouvelles especes de
esting specimen, and sharing his fieldnotes. Cyclodorippoidea am—ericains (Crustacea, De-
Raymond B. Manning and Fenner A. Cha- capoda, Brachyura). Vie et Milieu 43(2/3):
ce, Jr. (both from National Museum ofNat- 137-143, fig. 1.
ural History, Smithsonian Institution, i.pp1i9d9a3ebe.t CCryumsotnaocemaidDaeecadpeodIa':lnLdeo-sOuCeysctl-—oPdaocri--
Washington, D. C), reviewed a draft ofthe fique a I'exclusion du genre Cymonomus. Re-
manuscript, and provided us with helpful sultats des Campagnes MUSORSTOM, 10.
suggestions. Except for Fig. 2b, e, all illus- Memoires du Museum national d'Histoire na-
trations are by Molly K. Ryan. MT thanks turelle, Paris 156:253-313, figs. 1-20.
Santa Ursula University for support in the , & S. Secretan. 1993. La notion de thelycum
form of grant 95.01.10, which made pos- et s—permatheque chez les Crustaces Decapo-
des. Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Se-
sible a 1-week visit to the Smithsonian In- ances de rAcademic Sciences, Paris 316, serie
stitution. 3:133-138, figs. 1-2.
