Axiopsis pica Kensley, 2003

Ngoc-Ho, Nguyen, 2005, Thalassinidea (Crustacea, Decapoda) from French Polynesia, Zoosystema 27 (1), pp. 47-83 : 51-53

Axiopsis pica Kensley, 2003

( Fig. 2 )

Ngoc-Ho N.

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TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: Guam, Anae Island , ( USNM 296400 ) . Paratypes: Guam , Luminao, 2 ( USNM 243376 ) ; Pugua Patch Reef , 1 ( USNM 243377 ) ; Piti Bay , 1, 1 ( USNM 243369 ) ; Apra Harbor , 1 ( USNM 296401 ) ; Amo Atoll , 1 ( USNM 291365 ) ; Tepungan Channel , 1 ( UGI) ; Agat Bay , 1 ( UF), 3 ( UF) ; 2, 6 ( UF). MATERIAL EXAMINED. — French Polynesia. Tuamotu Archipelago, Rangiroa Atoll, reef flat, under rocks, 16.X. 2001, C. Meyer coll., 1, cl. 26.5 mm, tl. 67 mm (figured) ( UF 1337 ) .

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED FOR COMPARISON. — Axiopsis pica : Mariana Islands. Guam Island , Apra Harbor, Middle Shoal, among coral rubbles and rocks, 2-4 feet, 3. VI.2002, H. Conley coll., 1 ovig., cl. 16 mm ( UF 2782 ) ; Apra Habor , Drydock Shoal, under rocks and dead coral, 3-15 feet, 12. VI.2002, Conley H. coll., 1 ovig., cl. 12 mm ( UF 2861 ) ; Glass Breakwater , among rocks, 10-20 feet, 17.X.2002, H. Conley coll., 1, cl. 10.5 mm ( UF 1232 ) ; near Harbor entrance, among rocks, 25- 35 feet, 18. V. 2002, H. Conley coll., 1, cl. 13.5 mm ( UF 3021 ) ; Asan Bay , E of Camel Rock, among rocks, 18.III.2002, H. Conley coll., 1 ovig., cl. 17 mm ( UF 1954 ) ; Alutom Islet , N and NE side, under rocks and coral rubble, 2-4 feet, 10. VI.2002, H. Conley coll., 1, cl. 17.5 mm ( UF 2948 ) ; Alutom Island , Agat Bay, H. Conley coll., 1 ovig., cl. 13.5 mm, 1, cl. 15.5 mm, tl. 37.5 mm ( Fig. 2F ) ( UF 552 ) .

Axiopsis serratifrons A. Milne-Edwards, 1873 : Hawaii. Sandwich Island, 1, cl. 10 mm, tl. 25 mm, holotype ( Fig. 3 ) (MNHN Th 147).

Japan. Sakai leg. 1977, 1, cl. 12.5 mm, tl. 30.5 mm ( MNHN Th 864).

Djibouti. H. Coutière coll., no date, 1, cl. 8 mm, tl. 21 mm ( MNHN Th 807).

Aldabra. Calypso , 20 m, 16. V.1954, 1, cl. 8.5 mm, tl. 22 mm ( MNHN Th 690).

New Caledonia. Île des Pins, Mission Singer-Polignac 1961, 19.XII.1961, Salvat coll., 1, cl. 21.5 mm, tl. 61 mm ( MNHN Th 691).

Mariana Islands. Guam Island , Apra Habor, Drydock Shoal, among coral rubble and rocks, 2-15 feet, 15. VI.2002, Conley H. coll., 1, cl. 14 mm ( UF 2747 ) ; among dead coral and under rocks, 2-10 feet, 24. VI.2002, Conley H. coll., 1, cl. 12 mm ( UF 2816 ) ; Apra Harbor , Glass Breakwater, near harbor entrance, among rocks, 10-20 feet, 28. V.2002, Conley H. coll., 1, cl. 12 mm ( UF 2972 ) ; Asan Point , among rocks, 1-4 feet, 1.VII.2002, Conley H. coll., 1, cl. 15.5 mm ( UF 2772 ) ; Agat Bay , N of Alutom Island, fore reef, deep in coral rubble, 15.XI.2000, Conley H. coll., 1, cl. 11 mm, 1, cl. 15.5 mm ( UF 59 ) .

DISTRIBUTION. — Guam ( Kensley 2003); Rangiroa

Thalassinidea (Crustacea, Decapoda ) from French Polynesia

REMARKS

This species was described in detail and illustrat- ed by its author ( Kensley 2003). The present male from Rangiroa is larger than all the type specimens studied but fully agrees in the colour pattern especially and also in having several flattened tubercles on the mesial and lateral surfaces of the P1 propodus ( Fig. 2C ). Other similarities are: 1) shape of rostrum ( Fig. 2B ); 2) length of A2 acicle reaching the distal border of the fourth article of A2 peduncle ( Fig. 2B ); 3) morphology of abdominal pleura ( Fig. 2A ); 4) morphology of pereopods ( Fig. 2A ); and 5) morphology and spinulation of the telson and uropods ( Fig. 2D ).

Variation concerns a higher number of spines on the rostrum and appendages as compared with the types.

Male Plp1 absent; male Plp2 with appendix interna and appendix masculina; Plp3-5 with appendix interna, rami slender in male, with long setae ( Fig. 2E ), comparatively larger and broader in female ( Fig. 2F ), with finer and shorter setae.

Axiopsis pica , as stated by its author, is closely related to Axiopsis serratifrons . The Rangiroa specimen was compared with the holotype of the latter species, a male from Hawaii ( MNHN Th 147) which is figured ( Fig. 3 ).

The holotype of Axiopsis serratifrons is at present nearly transparent and in fair condition. All mouth appendages as well as the P2 and P4 remain on the body ( Fig. 3A ) while the right P1 and P5 are broken off ( Fig. 3C, D ). Main morphological differences of this specimen as compared with Axiopsis pica are: 1) P1 slender, no longitudinal upper and lower carinae on propodus ( Fig. 3D ) (P1 more robust, longitudinal upper and lower carinae present on propodus in A. pica ); 2) no trace of flattened tubercles on the mesial and lateral surfaces of P1 propodus ( Fig. 3D ) (flattened tubercles present in A. pica ); and 3) telson approximately 1.2 times as long as wide ( Fig. 3F ) (telson approximately quadrate in A. pica ).

Figures

FIG. 2. — Axiopsis pica Kensley, 2003; A-E, Rangiroa, (UF 1337); A, lateral view; B, anterior part of carapace; C, pereopod 1;

FIG. 3. — Axiopsis serratifrons A. Milne-Edwards, 1873, Hawaii, holotype, (MNHN Th 147); A, lateral view; B, anterior part of carapace; C, distal part of pereopod 5; D, pereopod 1; E, pleopod 2; F, telson and uropods. Scale bars: A, B, D, F, 1 mm; C, E, 0.5 mm.