Munidopsis kensleyi Ahyong & Poore, 2004

Published, First, 2007, Species of the genus Munidopsis Whiteaves, 1784 from the Indian and Pacific Oceans and reestablishment of the genus Galacantha A. Milne-Edwards, 1880 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Galatheidae), Zootaxa 1417, pp. 1-135 : 73

Munidopsis kensleyi Ahyong & Poore, 2004

( Fig. 55I)

Munidopsis kensleyi Ahyong & Poore, 2004: 50 , fig. 10.— Baba, 2005: 290 (synonymy and occurrences)

Material examined. Solomon Islands, SALOMON 1, Stn 1753, 1001– 1012 m: 1 M 17.5 mm, 1 M 17.7 mm (MNHN-Ga4652).— Stn 1755, 1288– 1313 m :: 2 M 16.6–16.7 mm, 1 ovig. F 16.5 mm (MNHN-Ga4653, 5652).—Stn 1781, 1036– 1138 m: 1 F 14.4 mm (MNHN-Ga5653). SALOMON 2, Stn 2197, 897– 1057 m: 1 M 17.6 mm (MNHN-Ga5654).— Stn 2199, 296- 304 m: 1 ovig. F 17.0 mm (MNHN-Ga5655) . New Caledonia, HALIPRO 2, Stn 96, 1034– 1056 m: 1 ovig. F 17.3 mm (MNHN-Ga4656). Chesterfield Islands, MUSORS- TOM 5 , Stn 323, 970 m: 1 ovig. F 13.7 mm (MNHN-Ga4650).— Stn 324, 970 m: 1 M 13.3 mm, 1 F 13.0 mm (MNHN-Ga4651) . Vanuatu, MUSORSTOM 8, Stn 1037, 1058– 1086 m: 1 F 14.5 mm (MNHN-Ga5651) . Wallis and Futuna, MUSORSTOM 7, Stn 621, 1280– 1300 m: 1 M 9.8 mm, 1 F 8.6 mm (MNHN-Ga4654).— Stn 622, 1280– 1300 m: 1 M 12.2 mm (MNHN-Ga4655) .

Remarks. The specimens agree quite well with the description provided by Ahyong & Poore (2004). The number of spines on the posterior border of the carapace ranges between 0 and 3. The colour pattern of the body and appendages is orange-brownish, darker in the first half of the carapace and P1; corneae whitish.

Distribution. Previously known from South Africa and southeastern Australia, at 476–1150 m ( Kensley 1977, Baba & Poore 2002, Ahyong & Poore 2004, Baba 2005). The present material extends the distribution range to the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Chesterfield Islands, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna, between 296 and 1313 m.