Galathea spinimanus Borradaile, 1900

Galathea spinimanus Borradaile, 1900: 421, pl. 39, figs 16a (Lifou, Loyalty Islands).—Baba et al., 2008: 77 (compilation).

Remarks. This species was originally described by Borradaile (1910) on the basis of one male and two females collected in Lifou, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia. The illustration given by Borradaile includes the carapace and the abdomen only, and the description is very short. No additional specimens were collected since the original description. Unfortunately, in spite of the extensive sampling carried out in Lifou Island we have not found any specimens that match the original description of G. spinimanus . In the present study we have found more than 20 species of Galathea from that Island, although only one species, G. maculiabdominalis Baba, 1972, is close to G. spinimanus . These two species can be easily distinguished by the structure of the mesogastric ridge. This ridge is uninterrupted laterally in G. spinimanus and interrupted laterally in G. maculiabdominalis . Therefore, we consider for the time being that G. spinimanus and G. maculiabdominalis are distinct. Nevertheless, additional samples referable to G. spinimanus would be necessary to fully assess the specific identity of that taxon.

Galathea spinimanus is also similar to G. celiae n. sp. and G. latirostris Dana, 1852 (differentiating characters are discussed under Remarks of these latter species).

Distribution. Lifou Island, Loyalty Islands.