Table Of ContentPROC. BIOL. SOC. WASH.
105(2), 1992, pp. 343-358
A COLLECTION OF THALASSINIDEA
(CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA) FROM THE
PACIFIC COAST OF COLOMBIA, WITH
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES AND A
CHECKLIST OF EASTERN PACIFIC SPECIES
Rafael Lemaitre and Gabriel E. Ramos
Abstract.—Twelve species of Thalassinidea are reported from the Pacific
coast ofColombia, bringing to fourteen the total number ofthalassinids known
from this coast. Ofthe twelve species reported, one is new, Neaxiusfrankeae;
five had not been previously reported for this coast: Lepidophthalmus bocourti
(A. Milne Edwards), Callianidea laevicauda Gill, Pomatogebia rugosa (Lock-
ington), Upogebia maccraryae Williams, and U. tenuipollex Williams; and one,
Axiopsis serratifrons (A. Milne Edwards), was unknown in the eastern Pacific.
A checklist of all known species of Thalassinidea from the eastern Pacific is
included.
As a result ofsampling efforts during the cific. One species ofPomatogebia Williams
&
past 10 years by several biologists along the Ngoc-Ho, 1990, and four of Upogebia
poorly explored Pacific coast of Colombia, Leach, 1814, are present in the material.
an important collection of thalassinid Finally, one specimen could only be as-
shrimps was obtained. The material is of signed to an undetermined species of the
considerable value because the thalassinids genus Axianassa Schmitt, 1924, due to its
from this coast have not been adequately poor condition. Except for the species of
sampled, and because many of the species Pomatogebia and Upogebia, discussed by
in this group are incompletely known, some Williams (1986) and Williams & Ngoc-Ho
based only on a few specimens. The mate- (1990), and Callianidea laevicauda, dis-
rial contains 12 species, including a new cussed by Kensley & Heard (1991), the spe-
species, Neaxius frankeae. Five species, cies are illustrated, and the most important
Lepidophthalmus bocourti (A. Milne Ed- recognition characters, coloration in life, and
wards, 1870), Callianidea laevicauda Gill, habitat where the specimens were collected,
1859, Pomatogebia rugosa (Lockington, are included. In addition, a checklist of all
1878), Upogebia maccraryae Williams, known Thalassinidea from the eastern Pa-
1986, and U. tenuipollex Williams, 1986, cific is presented (see Appendix), indicating
A
are reported forthe firsttime from this coast. the most recent nomenclatorial changes.
One of our specimens has been found to total of 14 species are now known from the
represent Neocallichirus grandimana Pacific coast ofColombia.
(Gibbes, 1850), a species that also occurs in The specimens used are deposited at the
the western Atlantic. Also discovered in the "Coleccion de Referenda de la Section de
collection is ajuvenile specimen ofAxiopsis Biologia Marina, Universidad del Valle"
serratifrons (A. Milne Edwards, 1873), a (CRBMUV), and the National Museum of
morphologically variable species that is Natural History, Smithsonian Institution,
broadly distributed in the tropics but was Washington, D.C. (USNM). The abbrevi-
previously unknown from the eastern Pa- ation "CL" indicates the carapace length
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
344
measured alongthe dorsal midline, from the ventral spine; fourth and fifth segments
tip of the rostrum to the posterior margin. slender, unarmed.
Epistomearmed mediallywith small spine
Systematics between first segments ofantennules, and 2
inwardly curved spines on lateral angle.
Family Axiidae Huxley, 1878
Third maxilliped slender, with exopod
Neaxiusfrankeae, new species
and long setae on ventral margin of seg-
Fig. 1
ments; coxa with small spine mesially; basis
Material examined. —La Barra, Gorgona with small spine ventrally; ischium with well
Island: 6 holotype, USNM 251731, CL 7.2 developed crista dentata formed by 12 sharp
mm, 1 Feb 1987, coll.: R. Franke. (parts to blunt teeth and strong distal tooth di-
missing from holotype: antennal flagella, left rected mesiad; merus armed with 4 strong
antennular flagella, left cheliped, and all spines (increasing in length distally) on ven-
pereopods except right 1st and 5th). trolateral margin, and small dorsodistal
Description of holotype.—Rostrum tri- spine; carpus with 2 (right) and 3 (left) spines
angular, exceeding eyes, reaching to about on ventrolateral margin; propodus and dac-
distal margin ofsecondantennular segment, tyl unarmed.
bifurcated at tip into strongupwardly curved Right cheliped (pereopod 1) with setae on
spines; lateral margins each with 2 strong dorsal and ventral margins; fingers with tufts
spines directed obliquely upward and for- ofsetae on lateral and mesial face; ischium
ward, and extendingposteriorly as ridge with and merus with row of spines on ventral
2 small spines near base ofrostrum; dorsal margin, merus alsowith dorsalrowofspines;
surface with median ridge bearing 3 small carpus with 2 dorsodistal spines and spine
blunt spines, and row of tufts of plumose on ventrodistal angle. Palm smooth on lat-
setae near lateral margin. Carapace smooth, eral and mesial surfaces, with row of tufts
anterior margin with strong antennal spine ofsetae on lateral face near, and parallel, to
and 3 small subantennal spines. Branchios- proximal margin; dorsal margin with at least
tegite with anterior margin rounded. Ce- 5 small spines (palm damaged on dorsal and
phalic groove weakly marked ventrolater- part oflateral surfaces); ventral margin un-
al^, unarmed. armed, well delimited. Fixed finger with
Corneae well developed, dilated, pig- large blunt tooth pointing obliquely forward
mented; distal margin reachingto aboutbase atabout midlength ofcuttingedge, and small
of bifurcated spines of rostrum. blunt teeth proximally. Dactyl with cutting
Antennular peduncles reaching to about edge more or less straight on distal % and
distal xk of fourth antennal segment; seg- proximally with weakly developed teeth.
ments each with transverse row ofsetae on Fifth pereopod subchelate; propoduswith
distal margin. numerous simple setae on distomesial mar-
Antennal peduncle exceeding rostrum by gin, and 1 serrate seta on distolateral angle;
about Vi length of fourth segment; 1st seg- dactyl slender, minutely serrated on flexor
ment unarmed; second segment with small margin (visible under high magnification).
spine proximally on dorsal surface, and with Coxa of pereopods 1-4 with 2-4 spines
strong spinelike dorsodistal projection on mesial face; coxa of pereopod 5 un-
reaching slightly beyond tip ofrostrum; aci- armed. Epipods present on 3rd maxilliped
cle extending slightly beyond tip of dorso- and pereopods 1-4. Sternite of pereopod 4
distal projection of second segment, ter- divided into 2 processes separated by deep
minating in strong spine, and with 2 strong groove; each process with spine directed an-
spines on ventral margin; third segment with teriorly. Sternite of pereopod 5 with lateral
VOLUME 105, NUMBER 2 345
a, b, d, f
I
Fig. 1. Neaxius frankeae, new species. Holotype, USNM 251731 a, body, lateral view; b, carapace and
cephalic appendages, dorsal view; c, sternum; d, right cheliped, lateral view; e, propodus and dactyl ofpereopod
5, lateral view; f, telson and right uropod, dorsal view; g, male right pleopod 2, anterior view. Scales equal 3
mm mm mm
(a, b, d, f), 1 (e, g), 2 (c).
projection on each side in form of spine ture, with row of 12 strong spines on outer
directed ventrally and slightly forward. (posterior) margin, and straight inner mar-
Abdomen about 1.6 times as long as car- gin; innerramus with straight lateral margin
apace. Dorsal surface of somites smooth, terminating distally in strong spine, with 2
with scattered setae. Pleura ofsomite 1 ter- spines near edge of posterior margin, and
minating ventrally in strong spine; pleura median longitudinal carina bearing 2 small
ofsomites 2-4 with 2 small spines on ven- spines.
tral margin, pleura of somites 3-5 with Telson widest on anterior third, dimin-
transverse row of setae. Sternite of somite ishing in width posteriorly. Lateral and pos-
2 armed with spine medially. Somite 6 about terior margins with long setae. Dorsal sur-
1.4 times as long as somite 5. Pleopod 1 face with 3 well defined transverse ridges
absent. Pleopods 2-5 each with appendix curving posteriorly on lateral margins. Pos-
interna, lacking appendix masculina; exo- terior margin with median spine.
—
pod and endopod with long plumose setae. Color in life. Body, chelipeds and walk-
Uropods longer than telson, setose on ing legs white. Internal organs visible
margins; outer ramus lacking transverse su- through cephalothorax light brown.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
346
Distribution. —Known only from the ho- whereas in N. vivesi the merus has a row of
lotype collected at Gorgona Island, Colom- lateroventral spines, and the carpus bears a
bia. cluster of strong spines; the pleura of ab-
Etymology. —The species is named for the dominal somite 1 terminates in a simple
Colombian biologist Rebeca Franke, in rec- spine whereas in TV. vivesi this spine is bifid
ognition ofher collecting efforts at Isla Gor- or trifid; the ventral margin of the pleurae
gona. of abdominal somites 2-4 are armed with
Habitat. —Near low tide level, in burrows two spines, whereas in N. vivesi the pleura
formed by gravel and coralline sand. Found ofabdominal somite 2 have eight, and those
with various species ofshrimps ofthe genus ofabdominal somites 3 and 4 have two.
Alpheus.
Remarks.—With the description of this Axiopsis serratifrons
new species there are now four in the genus (A. Milne Edwards, 1873)
Neaxius Borradaile, 1903, formerly a sub- Figs. 2, 3
genus of Axius Leach, 1815, but recently —
elevated togeneric rankby Sakai & De Saint Axifoigpss.is1-s5e.rr-aMtiafnronnsi.ngK&ensClheayc,e,198119:9102:5331,,
Laurent (1989). The other species are: N.
figs. 16, 17.
acanthus(A. Milne Edwards), fromthe Indo-
—
Pacific, N. glyptocercus (von Martens), from Material examined. Antiguo Muelle,
Australia, and N. vivesi (Bouvier), from the Gorgona Island: 1 9 (juvenile), CL 13.9 mm,
eastern Pacific. 9 Mar 1989, coll.: R. Franke, USNM
A
comparison of our specimen with the 251732.
descriptions of N. acanthus and N. glypto- Distribution. —Eastern Pacific: Gorgona
&
cercus provided by Poore Griffin [1979: Island (Colombia). Indo-Pacific, including
235, 236, figs. 7, 8; asAxius (Neaxius) acan- the Red Sea. Western Atlantic: Florida to
thus and A. (N.) glyptocercus], and with Belize, including Bermuda. South Atlantic:
USNM
specimens deposited in the of N. Ascension Island.
—
vivesi, shows that the new species is most Habitat. Subtidal near low tide level, in
similar to the eastern Pacific N. vivesi but substrate of sand and stones.
clearly differs from it in a number of char- Remarks.—The morphology and color-
acters. Although a single specimen of N. ation of the single specimen collected gen-
frankeae is known, it appears that it is a erally agrees with Kensley's (1981) detailed
species with individuals of much smaller redescription ofthis species, except for the
size than N. vivesi (specimens examined of presence in our specimen of rudimentary
mm
N. vivesi all exceeded 25 in CL whereas first pleopods. This pleopod condition,
the type ofthe new species has a CL ofonly however, can be attributed to the juvenile
7.2 mm). In N.frankeae, the cervical groove (sexually immature) stage ofour specimen.
is unarmed whereas in N. vivesi the lateral The only other species of Axiopsis Borra-
portion is armed with several spines; the daile, 1903, known from the eastern Pacific
second segment of the antennal peduncle isA. baronai Squires, 1977. The two species
bears one spine whereas there are four (two can be differentiated by several characters.
dorsomesial and two dorsolateral) in N. vi- The gastric region ofthe carapace ofA. ser-
vesi; the antennal acicle is armed with two ratifronshas more spinesthan inA. baronai;
ventral spines whereas there are five in the the submedian carinae are arranged in a
USNM
material of N. vivesi, and four, ac- horseshoe shape in A. serratifrons, whereas
cording to De Man (1925:59), in the type they are straight in A. baronai. The outer
ofN. vivesi; the lateral face ofthe merus and surface of the palm of the first pair of che-
carpus of the major cheliped are unarmed lipeds (pereopods 1) bear scattered tufts of
VOLUME 105, NUMBER 2 347
^^
Fig. 2. Axiopsis serratifrons (A. Milne Edwards, 1873), 9 (juvenile) CL 13.9 mm, Gorgona Island, USNM
251732. a, body, lateral view; b, anteriorportion ofcarapaceandcephalic appendages, dorsal view; c, left, minor
cheliped (pereopod 1); d, propodus and dactyl ofpereopod 3, lateral view; e, propodus and dactyl ofpereopod
4, lateral view; f, distal portion ofpropodus and dactyl ofpereopod 5, mesial view; g, sternum; h, abdominal
somite 1, ventral view, showing rudimentary pleopods; i, right pleopod 2, anterior view; j, telson and right
mm mm mm
uropod, dorsal view. Scales equal 5 (a-c, g, j), 3 (d, e, i), and 1 (f, h).
setae in A. serratifrons, whereas in A. baro- Atlantic (Manning & Chace 1990). The spe-
naithe outer surface is densely covered with cies, however, had not been previously re-
tufts of setae. The third maxilliped of A. corded in the eastern Pacific, and its pres-
serratifrons has two to three strong spines ence here provides further evidence of its
on the ventral margin that are lacking in A. broad, pantropical distribution.
baronai. The telson of A. serratifrons has
three submarginal spines laterally on the Family Callianassidae Dana, 1852
distal margin, whereas these spines are ab- Corallianassa xutha Manning, 1988
sent in A. baronai.
CorallianassaxuthaManning, 1988:885, fig.
Axiopsis serratifrons has long been rec-
3a-l.-Manning&Felder, 1991:777, figs.
ognized to bewidely distributed in the Indo-
1,2,5.
Pacific, and more recently has also been re-
corded in the western Atlantic (Kensley Material examined. —Gorgona Island: 1
1981) and Ascension Island, in the central 9, CL 6.2 mm, El Tractor, 18 Mar 1987,
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
348
Fig. 3. Axiopsis serratifwns (A. Milne Edwards, 1873), 9 (juvenile) CL 13.9 mm, Gorgona Island, USNM
251732. Mouthparts (left, all internal view except g): a, mandible; b, maxilla 1; c, maxilla 2; d, maxilliped 1; e,
maxilliped 2; f, maxilliped 3; g, ischium, merus and carpus ofmaxilliped 3, external view (most setae omitted).
mm mm
Scales equal 2 (a-e), and 3 (f, g).
,
VOLUME 105, NUMBER 2 349
coll.: R. Franke, USNM 251733; 1 9, CL reopod 3 with dactyl subtriangular; prop-
7.4 mm, La Marranera, 1 Jul 1987, coll.: R. odus with sinuous ventral margin forming
USNM
Franke, 251734. 3 lobes, outer face covered with numerous
Color in ///£.—Carapace yellow, trans- tufts of short setae. Uropod with ovate en-
parent, internal organs light brown. Anten- dopod distinctly longerthan broad; anterior
nules, antennae, chelipeds, and walking legs, exopodal plate with row of long corneous
cream white. Chelae with dark yellow chro- spines on posterolateral margin (Fig. 4h).
matophores dorsally, and white ventral Telson broader than long, posterior margin
margin. Abdominal somites 1-5 dark yel- divided into 3 lobes.
low; abdominal somite 6 and telson trans- Color in ///£.—Carapace white, transpar-
parent. Intestinal tract pink. Uropods light ent; internal organs light brown with light
yellow. Pleopods dark yellow. yellow margins. Chela of pereopod with
1
—
Habitat. Subtidal, in burrows on rubble red spots on dorsal surface ofpalm, carpus,
and broken stones. merus and ischium; tip of fingers reddish-
Distribution. —Eastern Pacific: Mexico to yellow. Antennules, antennae, and pereo-
Colombia, including Clipperton and Gala- pods 2-5 white. Abdominal somites and
1
pagos Islands; shore to 18 m. 2 dark yellow; abdominal somites 3-6 light
Remarks. —In the description ofthis spe- yellow, with reddish band on each somite
cies Manning (1988) listed material from posteriorly, and numerous red chromato-
Colombia only from the continental coast phores on somites and telson. Uropods lime
(Ensenada de Utria). The species is now re- green. Pleopods yellow.
—
ported from Gorgona Island. Habitat. Intertidal, near freshwater
streams in burrows on mud or fine sediment
Lepidophthalmus bocourti ofbasaltic origin.
(A. Milne Edwards, 1870) Distribution. —Eastern Pacific: Mexico to
Fig. 4 Colombia. Intertidal.
Remarks.—Lepidophthalmus bocourti is
Callianassa bocourti A. Milne Edwards,
the only eastern Pacific species ofLepidoph-
1870:95.
Lepidophthalmus Eiseni Holmes, 1904:31 1 utrhraelcmtuesdHboylmMeasn,ni1n9g04&, aFgeelnduers r(e1c9e9n1t)l.yPrrees--
pi. 35, figs. 6-13.
Lepidophthalmus bocourti. —Manning & vious to this report, L. bocourti was not
known south ofPanama.
Felder, 1991:778.
—
Material examined. Curichiche Island, Neocallichirus grandimana
Malaga Bay: 1 9, CL 7.0 mm, 24 Nov 1985, (Gibbes, 1850)
USNM
coll.: G. E. Ramos, 251735. Gor- Fig. 5
gona Island, La Marranera: U1 S6,NCML 5.8 mm, Callianassa grandimana Gibbes, 1850:
1 Jul 1987, coll.: R. Franke, 25 1736. 194.-Manning, 1987:388, fig. 2.
Recognition characters.—Carapace with —
Callianassa branneri. Manning, 1987:388.
rostrum extending to about mid-length of
Neocallichirus grandimana.—Sakai, 1988:
eyestalks; anterolateral margins rounded. 61.-Manning & Felder, 1991:779, figs.
Antennular peduncle stouter than antennal
3,4.
peduncle, exceeding it by at least Vi length
of 3rd antennular segment. Maxilliped 3 Material examined. —Gorgona Island: 1
with propodus about as long as broad; dac- 6, CL 6.9 mm, 5 May 1987, coll.: R. Franke,
USNM
tyl slender, curved. Merus ofmajorcheliped 251737.
with spine on proximoventral margin. Pe- Recognition characters.—Carapace with
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
350
Fig. 4. Lepidophthalmus bocourti (A. Milne Edwards, 1870), 9 CL 7.0 mm, Malaga Bay, USNM 251735. a,
carapace and cephalic appendages, dorsal view; b, same, lateral view; c, maxilliped 3, external view; d, major
cheliped (pereopod 1), lateral view; e, minor cheliped (pereopod 1), lateral view; f, propodus and dactyl ofright
pereopod 3, lateral view; g, abdominal somite 6, telson and uropods, dorsal view; h, posterolateral margin of
mm mm mm
right anterior exopodal plate. Scales equal 3 (a-f), 2 (g), and 0.5 (h).
sharp subtriangular rostrum extending to with ventral margin keel-like, serrate. Pe-
about mid-length ofeyestalks; anterolateral reopod 3 with dactyl subtriangular, elon-
margins broadly rounded; with dorsal oval. gate; propodus with ventral margin nearly
Antennal peduncle exceeding antennular straight, outer face covered with numerous
peduncle by about xk length of4th antennal tufts of short setae. Uropod with subquad-
segment. Third maxilliped with slender rate endopod. Telson widest on anterior
dactyl; propodusoval, asbroad as long, more margin, posterior margin weakly concave
than twice width of dactyl. Chelipeds (pe- medially. Pleopods 3-5 each with appendix
reopods 1) unequal; merus oflarge cheliped interna embedded in margin ofendopod.
VOLUME 105, NUMBER 2 351
Fig. 5. Neocallichirusgrandimana(Gibbes, 1850),6CL6. 9 mm.GorgonaIsland,USNM 251737.a,carapace
and cephalic appendages, dorsal view; b, same, lateral view; c, maxilliped 3, external view; d, major cheliped
(pereopod 1), lateral view; e, right pereopod 3, lateral view; f, abdominal somite 6, telson and uropods, dorsal
view. Scale equals 3 mm.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
352
—
Habitat. Subtidal under stones at about transparent, with red spots dorsally and blue
m
1-2 in depth. chromatophores near cervical groove. Pe-
Distribution. —Eastern Pacific: Colombia reopods 1 and 2 red, with white stripes. Tip
and Ecuador. Western Atlantic: southeast- of fingers of chelae (pereopods 1) dark yel-
ern Florida to Brazil, including Bermuda low. Pereopods 3-5 white, transparent. An-
Islands. Intertidal to shallow subtidal. tennular and antennal flagella with white
Remarks.—Callianassa branneri (Rath- and red bands. Abdomen white, transpar-
bun, 1900), ataxon previously reported from ent, or often abdomen and telson pink. In-
the Pacific coast of Colombia (Prahl et al. testinal tractgreen ordarkbrown with black
1979, 1990; Prahl 1986) and the western margins. Tail fan and pleopods transparent.
—
Atlantic (e.g., Rathbun 1900, BifTar 1971), Habitat. Intertidal, in burrows under
was shown by Manning (1987) to be ajunior stones or coralline sand. Very abundant in
synonym of C. grandimana Gibbes, 1850. sandy bottoms where individuals are often
Subsequently, Sakai (1988) transferred C. seen at entrance of burrow moving their
grandimana to the genus Neocallichirus Sa- chelipeds and antennae.
kai, 1988. In their discussion of C. gran- Distribution.—Eastern Pacific: Socorro
dimana, Manning (1987) and Manning & Island, Mexico, and Colombia. Western At-
Felder (1991) included only Atlantic ma- lantic: Caribbean. Intertidal to shallow sub-
terial, leaving in question the identity ofthe tidal.
material reported previously as C. branneri
from the Pacific coast ofColombia. We have Family Laomediidae Borradaile, 1903
compared our Colombian specimen as well Axianassa sp.
as additional eastern Pacific material
(USNM CL mm, Materialexamined. —Ensenada de Utria:
Ecuador,114325S3e6p:119296,, coll1.:2.W2. L. ScShamliitnta)s,, 1 6, CL 3.4 mm, Playa BlanUcaSINslMand, 14 Jul
1984, coll.: G. E. Ramos, 251743.
with the neotype of C. grandimana from
(Specimen missing abdomen, antennules,
the western Atlantic (see Manning 1987:389,
most of antennae, and 5th pereopods.)
fig. 2), and find that the Pacific material is —
Habitat. Intertidal, under stones and
in agreement with it. Thus, we conclude that
coralline sand.
N. grandimana is indeed amphi-American
Remarks.—Ouv specimen of Axianassa
in distribution. A
sp. could possiblyrepresent mineriBoone,
1931, the only eastern Pacific species ofthe
Family Callianideidae Kossmann, 1880 genus. According to Kensley & Heard
Callianidea laevicauda Gill, 1859
(1990), A. mineri is known only from the
Callianidea laevicauda. —Kensley & Heard, holotype collected in the Bay of Panama
1991:499, figs. 3, 4, Table 1A. (Pacheca Island, Pearl Islands). However,
because our specimen is missing structures
Material examined.—Gorgona Island:
6c1,ol1l.C.2:LmR6m..,1FrLmaamnk,Vee,nLtaUanMSaa,NrrM9aSnee2rp5a11,7938817;,Jucl1ol9l1,.9:8CR7L.,1 cpaoonsntsseinibndlaeelretadociiocdlfeen,dtiiaafbgydnooitsmtewinict)h,imcipetrohtraatsiannntcyoettob(iet.eeh.ne,
Franke, USNM 251739; 1 9, CL 4.5 mm, species level.
El Muelle, 6 Mar 1987, coll.: R. Franke,
USNM 25 1740; 1 6, CL 7.2 mm, 8 Jan 1987, Family Upogebiidae Borradaile, 1903
USNM Pomatogebia rugosa (Lockington, 1878)
coll.: C. Murillo, 251741. Ensenada
de Utria: 1 6, CL 7.1 mm, 1 juv., CL 3.4 Upogebia rugosa.—Williams, 1986:58, fig.
mm,
Playa Blanca Island, 14 Jul 1984, coll.: 21.
G. E. Ramos, USNM 251742. Pomatogebia rugosa.—Williams & Ngoc-
—
Color in life. Cephalothorax white, Ho, 1990:616.
