Sakaija africana ( Griffin & Tranter, 1986 )

Ng, Peter K. L. & Forges, Bertrand Richer De, 2015, Revision of the spider crab genus Maja Lamarck, 1801 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Majoidea: Majidae), with descriptions of seven new genera and 17 new species from the Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific, Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 63, pp. 110-225 : 170-171

Sakaija africana ( Griffin & Tranter, 1986)

( Figs. 2F , 29 , 33N –R, 37L , 40K , 46I , 51C , 54M , 70C )

Maja africana Griffin & Tranter, 1986: 211 , 71a–e, 73c, d, Pl. 14. – Ng et al., 2008: 117 (list).

Material examined. Madagascar – 1 male (28.7 × 22.3 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-57) (specimen barcoded), station 27, between Nosy Bé and Cap Du Leven, MIRIKY, 12°31’S 48°22’E, 298–301 m, coll. MIRIKY, June 2009 . — 1 male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), station DW 3228, 260– 319 m, 12°55’S 48°11’E, 2 July 2009. — 1 male (26.3 × 19.9 mm), 2 ovigerous females (25.7 × 20.2 mm, 23.8 × 18.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-505), station DW 3211, 12°32’ 47°52’E, 244–300 m, coll. MIRIKY, 30 June 2009. — 1 male (27.3 × 21.2 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-932), no other data, coll. MIRIKY, 25 June–14 July 2009. — 1 male (27.3 × 21.2 mm), 1 ovigerous female (25.7 × 19.9 mm) ( ZRC 2013.1408 , ex MNHN-IU-2010-504), station CP 3188, 12°31’S 48°22’E, 298–301 m, coll. MIRIKY, 27 June 2009 .

Diagnosis. Carapace branchial area gently inflated, ovate; with relatively short lateral and branchial spines ( Fig. 29 ). Pseudorostral spines very long, diverging ( Fig. 37L ). Supraocular eave narrow, strongly curved; antorbital tooth strong, triangular pointed outwards; intercalated spine basally subtruncate, separated from other spines by narrow gaps; postorbital spine large, pointed anteriorly; hepatic spine low, tuberculiform ( Figs. 29 , 37L ). Lateral margin with 2 short spines, subequal or anterior one slightly smaller; 1 large branchial spine; median row with 3 low spines: 1 gastric, 1 cardiac, 1 long, posteriorly directed intestinal; posterior carapace margin with 2 long spines ( Fig. 29 ). Basal antennal article with 2 large distal spines, external margin with 4 blunt teeth ( Fig. 40K ). Ischium of third maxilliped almost smooth ( Fig. 46I ). Adult ambulatory legs relatively long, slender ( Fig. 29 ). G1 gently curved, distal part with long setae, with low subdistal swelling ( Fig. 33N–R ).

Remarks. Sakaija africana was described on the basis of one male specimen, 24 mm in carapace length, collected off Durban, Indian Ocean coast of South Africa. It is the largest known species of Sakaija . This species seems common in the Mozambique Channel at a depth of around 300 m.

Male and female specimens smaller than the holotype ( Fig. 29B, D ) generally have relatively shorter ambulatory legs compared to large males ( Fig. 29C ); with females also having proportionately shorter pseudorostral spines. The G1 figured by Griffin & Tranter (1986: fig. 73c, d) appears to have been drawn in situ and at an angle and not with the structure lying flat on its dorsal or ventral surfaces. The two lobes depicted on their fig. 73d (present Fig. 33N, O ) is where the folds overlap ( Fig. 33Q, R ). They otherwise agree very well in form and structure.

Figures

Fig. 2. Basal antennal article and position of flagellum.A, Maja brachydactyla, male (98.4 × 89.0 mm) (ZRC 2009.1130), U.K.; B, Paramaja kominatoensis, dried male (62.6 × 56.1 mm) (KPM NH0104298), Japan; C, Alcomaja irrorata n. sp., holotype male (52.6 × 45.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; D, Paramaya ouch n. sp., paratype ovigerous female (68.3 × 54.2 mm, with rhizocephala) (ZRC 2013.1317); E, Holthuija miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; F, Sakaija africana, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; G, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., holotype male (43.7 × 37.1 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; H, Ovimaja compressipes, male (49.6 × 39.6 mm) (ZRC 2008.1318), Taiwan.

Fig. 29. General habitus, Sakaija africana. A, as Maja africana (after Griffin & Tranter, 1986: pl. 14a); B, male (27.3 × 21.2 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-504), Madagascar; C, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; D, ovigerous female (23.8 × 18.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-505), Madagascar.

Fig. 33. Left G1s, Sakaija species. A–C, S. japonica, holotype male (16.2 × 13.0 mm) (USNM 48252), Japan; D–F, S. japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; G, S. japonica (as Maja japonica, after T. Sakai, 1976: text-fig. 126a); H, S. sakaii (as Maja sakaii, after Sakai, 1976: text-fig. 125b); I, J, S. sakaii, male (9.0 × 6.6 mm) (NSMT-Cr 8094), Japan; K–M, S. serenei n. sp., paratype male (14.3 × 10.9 mm) (ZRC 2013.1255), Philippines; N, O, S. africana (as Maja africana, after Griffin & Tranter, 1986: fig. 73c, d); P–R, S. africana, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; S–U, S. santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu. Scale bars = 1.0 mm [D, K, P–R]; 0.5 mm [A, E, F, I, J, L, M, S–U]; 0.25 mm [B, C].

Fig. 37. Frontal regions of carapaces. A, Paramaya spinigera, male (85.0 × 66.4 mm) (ZRC 1999.738), Taiwan; B, Paramaya ouch n. sp., holotype male (76.8 × 60.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; C, Paramaya coccinea n. sp., holotype male (69.0 × 55.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; D, Holthuija miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; E, Holthuija miersii, male (22.3 × 16.5 mm) (CBM ZC4001), Singapore; F, Holthuija suluensis, holotype female (32.4 × 41.2 mm) (USNM 48224a), Philippines; G, Holthuija pauli n. sp., holotype male (37.3 × 28.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; H, Holthuija cognata n. sp., holotype male (29.5 × 23.7 mm) (CBM-ZC3662), Japan; I, Holthuija aussie n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea; J, Holthuija poorei n. sp., paratype female (27.0 × 22.5 mm) (NMV J63751), Arafura Sea; K, Sakaija japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; L, Sakaija africana, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; M, Sakaija serenei n. sp., holotype male (17.4 × 14.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; N, Sakaija longispinosa n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (11.4 × 8.6 mm) (NMV J63792), Australia; O, Sakaija santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu.

Fig. 40. Antennae, antennules and epistomes. A, Paramaya spinigera, male (85.0 × 66.4 mm) (ZRC 1999.738), Taiwan; B, Paramaya ouch n. sp., holotype male (76.8 × 60.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; C, Paramaya coccinea n. sp., holotype male (69.0 × 55.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; D, Holthuija miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; E, Holthuija miersii, male (22.3 × 16.5 mm) (CBM ZC4001), Singapore; F, Holthuija suluensis, holotype female (32.4 × 41.2 mm) (USNM 48224a), Philippines; G, Holthuija pauli n. sp., holotype male (37.3 × 28.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; H, Holthuija aussie n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea; I, Holthuija poorei n. sp., holotype male (24.3 × 18.7 mm) (NMV J63749), Timor Sea; J, Sakaija japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; K, Sakaija africana, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; L, Sakaija serenei n. sp., holotype male (17.4 × 14.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; M, Sakaija santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; N, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., holotype male (43.7 × 37.1 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; O, Ovimaja compressipes, male (49.6 × 39.6 mm) (ZRC 2008.1318), Taiwan.

Fig. 46. Third maxillipeds. A, Holthuija miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; B, Holthuija suluensis, holotype female (32.4 × 41.2 mm) (USNM 48224a), Philippines; C, Holthuija pauli n. sp., holotype male (37.3 × 28.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; D, Holthuija cognata n. sp., holotype male (29.5 × 23.7 mm) (CBM-ZC3662), Japan; E, Holthuija aussie n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea; F, Holthuija poorei n. sp., holotype male (24.3 × 18.7 mm) (NMV J63749), Timor Sea; G, Sakaija japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; H, Sakaija sakaii, male (9.0 × 6.6 mm) (NSMT-Cr 8094), Japan; I, Sakaija africana, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; J, Sakaija serenei n. sp., holotype male (17.4 × 14.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; K, Sakaija santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; L, Sakaija longispinosa n. sp., paratype ovigerous female (14.2 × 10.7 mm) (NMV J63197), Australia; M, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., holotype male (43.7 × 37.1 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; N, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., paratype male (38.3 × 30.7 mm) (ZRC 2013.1370), Philippines; O, Ovimaja compressipes, holotype female (51.2 × 40.5 mm) (NHM 1860.15), China; P, Ovimaja compressipes, male (49.6 × 39.6 mm) (ZRC 2008.1318), Taiwan.

Fig. 51. Anterior thoracic sternums and abdomens. A, Sakaija japonica, holotype male (16.2 × 13.0 mm) (USNM 48252), Japan; B, Sakaija japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; C, Sakaija africana, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; D, Sakaija serenei n. sp., holotype male (17.4 × 14.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; E, Sakaija santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; F, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., holotype male (43.7 × 37.1 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; G, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., paratype male (38.3 × 30.7 mm) (ZRC 2013.1370), Philippines; H, Ovimaja compressipes, holotype female (51.2 × 40.5 mm) (NHM 1860.15), China; I, Ovimaja compressipes, male (49.6 × 39.6 mm) (ZRC 2008.1318), Taiwan.

Fig. 54. Chelae. A, Paramaya spinigera, male (85.0 × 66.4 mm) (ZRC 1999.738), Taiwan; B, Paramaya ouch n. sp., paratype male (76.5 × 61.3 mm) (ZRC 2001.0577), Philippines; C, Paramaya coccinea n. sp., holotype male (69.0 × 55.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; D, Holthuija miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; E, Holthuija suluensis, holotype female (32.4 × 41.2 mm) (USNM 48224a), Philippines; F, Holthuija pauli n. sp., holotype male (37.3 × 28.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; G, Holthuija cognata n. sp., holotype male (29.5 × 23.7 mm) (CBM-ZC3662), Japan; H, Holthuija aussie n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea; I, Holthuija poorei n. sp., holotype male (24.3 × 18.7 mm) (NMV J63749), Timor Sea; J, Sakaija japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; K, Sakaija serenei n. sp., holotype male (17.4 × 14.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; L, Sakaija santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; M, Sakaija africana, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; N, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., holotype male (43.7 × 37.1 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; O, Ovimaja compressipes, holotype female (51.2 × 40.5 mm) (NHM 1860.15), China; P, Ovimaja compressipes, male (49.6 × 39.6 mm) (ZRC 2008.1318), Taiwan.

Fig. 70. Colours in life. A, Paramaya ouch n. sp., paratype female (42.6 × 34.5 mm) (ZRC 2013.1300), Philippines; B, Paramaya coccinea n. sp., holotype male (69.0 × 55.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; C, Sakaija africana, male (27.3 × 21.2 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-504), Madagascar; D, Sakaija serenei n. sp., paratype male (14.3 × 10.9 mm) (ZRC 2013.1255), Philippines; E, Sakaija santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; F, Ovimaja compressipes, male (55.7 × 42.7 mm) (ZRC 2013.1264), Taiwan.