Genus Biarticulata Larsen & Shimomura, 2007

(restricted synonymy and bibliography)

Tanais Latreille, 1831 (partim): G.O. Sars, 1877: 347, 370.

Strongylura G.O. Sars, 1882 (partim): Norman & Stebbing, 1886: 110, 116–117.

Cryptocope G.O. Sars, 1882 (partim): G.O. Sars, 1882: 50 –51. Hansen, 1913: 106.

Leptognathia G.O. Sars, 1882 (partim): Hansen, 1913: 82 –83. Kudinova-Pasternak, 1965: 82. Kudinova-Pasternak, 1976: 119. Kudinova-Pasternak, 1977: 120. Kudinova-Pasternak, 1981: 102.

Species included (Japanese waters, Kurile-Kamchatka Trench and Japan Trench species in bold): B. arctophylax (Norman & Stebbing, 1886), NE Atlantic; B. distincta (Kudinova-Pasternak, 1981), Central Pacific, 1600–1900 metres; B. elegans (Kudinova-Pasternak, 1965), Bougainville Trench, 7974–8006 metres; B. greveae (Kudinova-Pasternak, 1976); B. mironovi (Kudinova-Pasternak, 1981), Central Pacific, 1735–2430 metres; B. parabranchiata (Kudinova-Pasternak, 1977), Palau Trench, 7000–7170 metres; B. parelegans (Kudinova-Pasternak, 1970); B. tuberculata (Hansen, 1913); B. voeringi (G.O. Sars, 1877), Arctic Ocean.

Diagnosis (after Larsen & Shimomura 2007). Female. Leptognathiid with cheliped fixed finger and dactylus simple. Uropodal exopod two-articled.

Remarks. Although deriving from a revision and splitting of the genus Leptognathia (Larsen & Shimomura op.cit.), this new genus is a pragmatic (and probably temporary) formation and is clearly polyphyletic, the only common feature among the largely disparate species being the bi-articulated uropod exopod. A significant problem faces potential revisers of Biarticulata, if no existing genus can accommodate transferred species, as no type species was designated.