Rochinia, A. Milne-Edwards, 1875

Lee, Bee Yan, Forges, Bertrand Richer De & Ng, Peter K. L., 2017, Deep-sea spider crabs of the families Epialtidae MacLeay, 1838 and Inachidae MacLeay, 1838, from the South China Sea, with descriptions of two new species (Decapoda, Brachyura, Majoidea), European Journal of Taxonomy 358, pp. 1-37 : 22-24

Rochinia sp.

Fig. 8 B–C

Material examined

SOUTH CHINA SEA: 1 ♀ (9.1 × 6.4 mm) ( ZRC 2016.0550), Nanhai, continental slope, stn CP4117, 20°00.88′ N, 114°08.80′ E to 20°01.87′ N, 114°09.35′ E, 421– 333 m, coll. NANHAI 2014 Expedition, 11 Jan. 2014; 1 ♀ (7.6 × 5.3 mm) ( ZRC 2016.0551), continental slope, stn CP4116, 20°02.32′ N, 114°10.22′ E to 20°02.92′ N, 114°11.29′ E, 298– 262 m, coll. NANHAI 2014 Expedition, 11 Jan. 2014.

Diagnosis

Small species, pyriform carapace, smooth surface. Short diverging pseudorostral spines. One supraocular spine formed at anterior angle of supraocular eave. One postocular spine, 1 hepatic spine of same length. No distinct spine on dorsal surface of carapace. Gastric and cardiac regions slightly raised. Dorsal surface of carapace covered by tomentum of thick short setae. Basal antennal article fused with carapace, smooth, distal external angle forming blunt spine.

Remarks

What is here referred to as Rochinia sp., is probably a new species. However, as there are only two female specimens, one of which is in poor condition, it is not formally described here.

This species is closest in morphology to R. daiyuae Takeda & Komatsu, 2005 . However, in this species the hepatic spine is flattened and pointing upwards ( Fig. 8 B–C), whereas in R. daiyuae , the flattened hepatic spine is pointed anteriorly ( Takeda & Komatsu 2005: fig. 3A).

Distribution

Only known from South China Sea.

Figures

Fig. 8. A. Rochinia kotakae Takeda, 2001, ovigerous ♀ (14.0 × 9.1 mm) (ZRC 2016.0079), South China Sea, lateral view of carapace. B–C. Rochinia sp., ♀ (7.6 × 5.3 mm) (ZRC 2016.0551), South China Sea. B. Overall dorsal view. C. Lateral view of carapace. Scale bars: A = 5 mm; B–C = 2.5 mm.