Paralomis erinacea Macpherson, 1988

Hall, Sally & Thatje, Sven, 2010, King crabs up-close: ontogenetic changes in ornamentation in the family Lithodidae (Crustacea, Decapoda, Anomura), with a focus on the genus Paralomis, Zoosystema 32 (3), pp. 495-524 : 500

Paralomis erinacea Macpherson, 1988 ( Fig. 3 )

Paralomis erinacea Macpherson, 1988a: 82 , figs 36A, 37, pl. 19A.

TYPE LOCALITY. — Syntypes taken from Guinea Bissau and the Ivory Coast 251- 900 m.

DISTRIBUTION. — East coast of Africa, from Mauritania to the Ivory Coast, 251-1500 m.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — 9 ♀♀ (CL 44-66 mm); 8 šš (CL 61-83 mm).

SPECIMENS FIGURED. — Guinea Bissau, 1 ♀ CL 44.87 mm ( MNHN Pg-2937). — Mauritania 14.XII.2007, 1 ♀ CL 59 mm, 1 ♀ CL 83 mm (both specimens in collection of A. Ramos, Vigo, Spain).

REMARKS

In the original description of this species ( Macpherson 1988a),9adultspecimenswereexamined,CL 46-78mm. Our examination slightly extends this range, doubling the specimen count, and examining newly identified individuals from CL 44 mm to 83 mm. Macpherson (1988a:fig.37G)shows spines similar to those that we found on the smaller size classes (40-50 mm, Fig.3B ). These are large conical spines, of uniform size, bearing small setae.Th e larger specimen,at CL 83mm ( Fig.3E, F ) has spines which are wider, lower and blunter than those originally figured specimens.

The macroscopic appearance of the larger adults is smoother than that of the spiny smaller adults, and might be a cause of misidentification. In P. erinacea , the lateral spines are similar in form to the dorsal spines.

Figures

FIG. 3. — Paralomis erinacea Macpherson, 1988: A, B, ♀ CL 44.87 mm (MNHN Pg-2937); C, D, ♀ CL 59 mm (specimen in collection of Dr Ramos, Vigo), Mauritania, 14.XII.2007; E, F, ♀ CL 83 mm (specimen in collection of Dr Ramos, Vigo), Mauritania, 14.XII.2007; A, carapace, dorsal view; B, dorsal spines, posterior view; C, carapace, dorsal view; D, dorsal spines, posterior view; E, carapace, dorsal view; F, dorsal tubercles, posterior view. Scale bars: A, C, 5 mm; B, F, 2 mm; D, 1 mm; E, 10 mm.