Mithraculus forceps (A. Milne Edwards, 1875)

Material examined (N=2). 1m, 12/VI/2004, St. 0 1 (MZUESC #681).

Distribution. Western Atlantic – from North Carolina to southern Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Antilles, Venezuela, and Brazil (Fernando de Noronha, and from Maranhão to São Paulo) (Melo 1996). St. Paul’s Rocks (Holthuis et al. 1980). Brazil – Santa Catarina (Rieger & Giraldi 1996).

Ecological notes. On hard bottoms, also on sand, coral, or algae, or associated with sponges. Shallow waters to 90 m (Melo 1996).

Previous records in Bahia. Miers (1886) (as Mithrax forceps), Moreira (1901) (as Mithrax forceps), Rathbun (1925) (as Mithrax (Mithraculus) forceps), Coelho (1971) (as Mithrax (Mithraculus) forceps), Coelho & Ramos (1972) (as Mithrax (Mithraculus) forceps), Melo (1985) (as Mithrax (Mithraculus) forceps), Gouvêa (1986a) (as Mithrax forceps), Coelho & Torres (1990), Barreto et al. (1993).