Uroptychus undetermined

Schnabel, Kareen E., 2009, A review of the New Zealand Chirostylidae (Anomura: Galatheoidea) with description of six new species from the Kermadec Islands, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 155 (3), pp. 542-582 : 578

UROPTYCHUS SP.

Diptychus australis Henderson, 1885: 420 (part; specimens from stns 170, 171) (not D. australis Henderson, 1885 ).

Uroptychus australis . – Henderson, 1888: 180 (part; specimens from stn 170, 171) (not Uroptychus australis Henderson, 1885 ).

Material examined: Kermadec Islands: 8 ♀ ovig. (9.8– 13.7 mm), 7 ♀ (4.2–12.8 mm), 9 ♂ (5.0–13.0 mm), 28° 25′S, 177° 50′E, 1225 m, 5.iv.1973, NMNZ stn BS312 ( NMNZ Cr. 012099) . 1 ♀ ovig. (9.5 mm), 28° 33.00′S, 177° 50.00′W, 1098 m, 15.vii.1874, Challenger stn 171 ( BMNH 1888 : 33) (paralectotype of Uroptychus australis ) . 1 ♀ ovig. (8.3 mm), 29° 55′S, 178° 14′W, 952 m, 14.vii.1874, Challenger stn 170 ( BMNH 1888 : 33) (paralectotype of Uroptychus australis ) . 1 ♂ (9.7 mm), 30° 05.89′–05.27′S, 178° 30.98′–30.88′W, 1201– 1262 m, 16.v.2007, R.V. Tangaroa , stn TAN0706/32 ( NIWA 29734 ) . 1 ♀ (7.5 mm), 31° 05.25′S, 179° 05.40′W, 1129 m, 19.iv.2002, RV Tangaroa, TAN 0205/48 ( NIWA 18579 ). Bay of Plenty : 1 ♂ (7.0 mm), Bay of Plenty, 36° 40.49′S, 176° 23.99′E, 1306– 1141 m, 6.x.1968, NZOI stn F897 ( NMNZ Cr. 0120100) . 1 ♀ ovig. (10.1 mm), Bay of Plenty, 37° 05.99′S, 177° 15.49′E, 843–938 m, 4.x.1968, NZOI stn F880 ( NMNZ Cr. 0120101) . 1 ♂ (7.0 mm), Bay of Plenty, 37° 25.49′S, 177° 30.00′E, 1267– 1174 m, 4.x.1968, NZOI stn F879 ( NMNZ Cr. 0120102) . 1 ♂ (10.5 mm), 37° 19.50′S, 178° 10.99′E, 1050–1053 m, 3.x.1968, NZOI stn F873 ( NIWA 23373 ) . 1 ♂ (9.4 mm), Bay of Plenty, 37° 28.49′S, 177° 31.49′E, 997– 942 m, 3.x.1968, NZOI stn F878 ( NMNZ Cr. 0120103) . 1 ♀ ovig. (12.7 mm), no station information, NMNZ BS 353 ( NMNZ Cr. 0120105) . 1 ♂ (7.9 mm), 1 ♀ ovig. (9.7 mm) East Cape Ridge , 37° 34.00S, 179° 22.00′E, 1395 m, 6.iii.1969, NZOI stn D836 ( NMNZ Cr. 0120104) .

Variation and remarks: Small variations were noted with respect to the size of the granule on the lateral carapace margin, from a very small granule (female 11 mm, NMNZ Cr. 012099) to a small spine ( NIWA 18579) and position of spines on the P2–4 propodi; some specimens from one site ( NMNZ Cr. 012099) showed a single distal spine on the propodus close to the junction with the dactylus whereas the majority had the distal spine remote from the juncture. Sexual dimorphism was apparent in the size of the propodal palm of the cheliped with the palm in males between 2.7–3.2 times as high than broad and in females 3.5–4.3 times as high than broad.

The material examined matches the Uroptychus australis paralectotypes from Challenger stns 170 and 171 that belong to an undescribed species from a range of south-western Pacific locations under study by Keiji Baba (pers. comm.). It differs from Uroptychus australis in bearing a single distal spine on P2–4 propodi only and inclined sharp triangular spines along the flexor margin of the dactylus that are not contiguous with the margin.

Distribution: New Zealand; 421–1668 m ( Fig. 5 ). Two specimens ( NIWA 29734 and NMNZ Cr. 012099) were collected perched in a small piece of gorgonian coral indicating a possible host association.

Figures

Figure 5. Records of Uroptychodes spinimarginatus (Henderson, 1885), Uroptychus alcocki Ahyong & Poore, 2004, Uroptychus australis (Henderson, 1885), Uroptychus novaezelandiae Borradaile, 1916, Uroptychus maori Borradaile, 1916, Uroptychus politus (Henderson, 1885), Uroptychus scambus Benedict, 1902, and Uroptychus sp. around New Zealand. Solid symbols indicate type records. 250, 1000, and 2500 m bathymetric contours are shown.