Neorhynchoplax aspinifera ( Lucas, 1980 )

Rahayu, Dwi Listyo & Ng, Peter K. L., 2004, The Hymenosomatidae (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura) of Timika (Irian Jaya, Indonesia), Zoosystema 26 (1), pp. 87-94 : 89

Neorhynchoplax aspinifera ( Lucas, 1980)

Elamenopsis aspinifera Lucas, 1980: 195 , figs 3I, 5G, 6R, 8D, 10G.

Neorhynchoplax aspinifer – Chuang & Ng 1994: 7. — Ng & Chuang 1996: 87. — Guinot & Richer de Forges 1997: 468, fig. 5F.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Indonesia. Ajkwa , intertidal, mud substrate in mangrove area, 15.VI.2001, coll. A. Pratiwi, 2 2.5 × 2.7 mm, 2.6 × 2.5 mm, 1 2.4 × 2.8 mm ( ZRC 2002.607 ), 3 2.4 × 2.7 mm, 2.9 × 3.0 mm, 2.4 × 2.8 mm, 2 2.2 × 2.6 mm, 1.9 × 2.2 mm ( RCO) ; 16.VI.2001, 3 2.4 × 2.5 mm ( MZB), 2.3 × 2.5 mm, 2.1 × 2.3 mm, 1 2.1 × 2.2 mm ( MNHN) ; 3.X.2001, 1 5.1 × 6 mm ( MZB) .

Kamora, intertidal, mud substrate in mangrove area, 11.VII.2001, coll. A. Pratiwi, 1 2.7 × 3.0 mm ( MNHN) ; 11.X.2001, 1 3.2 × 2.9 mm ( RCO) ; 9.X.2001, 1 2.8 × 3.1 mm ( RCO) .

REMARKS

The genus Neorhynchoplax (type species Rhyncoplax introversus Kemp, 1917 ) was redefined by Ng & Chuang (1996) and regarded as a valid genus with 24 species. Most species are associated with intertidal mangrove or muddy habitats.

Neorhynchoplax aspinifera was described from Northern Australia, and is here reported from Irian Jaya, Indonesia, for the first time. The specimens on hand agree very well with the detailed description and figures by Lucas (1980). The species has male abdominal segments 1 and 2 free, with segments 3 to 5 fused, as is typical for congeners ( Ng & Chuang 1996), with the pleotelson free (see also Guinot & Richer de Forges 1997: 468, fig. 5F).