Ranilia constricta (A. Milne Edwards, 1880)

Garassino, Alessandro, Pasini, Giovanni, Angeli, Antonio De & Hyžný, MatÚš, 2014, The decapod fauna (Axiidea, Anomura, Brachyura) from the Late Pleistocene of Trumbacà, Reggio Calabria (Calabria, southern Italy), Natural History Sciences 1 (2), pp. 119-130 : 122

Ranilia constricta (A. Milne Edwards, 1880)

Material and measurements: Two carapaces nearly complete (MSNM i27877 – lcxp: 18 mm; wcxp: 12 mm; MSNM i27878 – lcxp: 20 mm; wcxp: 15 mm); two loose palms, one dactylus, and one merus (MSNM i27915).

Description: Sub-oval carapace, strongly convex in transverse section, almost straight in midline; slightly raised front with prominent pointed spines; maximum width of the carapace between the prominent elongate lateral spines; lateral margins convergent posteriorly towards the short and gently convex posterior margin; stout chelipeds with tubercles and ciliate lines; elongate, pointed dactylus downward directed distally; palms longer than high with a ventral distal distinct spine; merus granulate dorsally, smooth ventrally with sparse pits; blunt distal dorsal spine.

Discussion. Garassino & De Angeli (2008) reported Ranilia constricta from the Late Pleistocene of Bovetto district (Reggio Calabria), with an additional updated emended diagnosis of the species, whereas Vazzana (2008) reported the same species from Trumbacà district, strictly close to Bovetto. The studied specimens show the main morphological characters of Ranilia constricta to which they are assigned. Recent R. constricta is widespread from Western to Central and Western Atlantic.