Enosteoides melissa (Miyake, 1942)

(Fig. 3 A–C)

Porcellana melissa Miyake, 1942: 364, text-figs. 25, 26, pl. I, text-fig. 4 (type locality: Palau); 1943: 131, fig. 52.— Nakasone & Miyake, 1968c: 168, fig. 2, pl. 7, fig. B.— Haig, 1966a: 44.

Enosteoides melissa .— Haig, 1981a: 271; 1983: 285; 1989: 95.

Material examined. Type Material: Palau. Off Ngatmél, Babldáob Island, coll. S. Murakami, 14 Mar. 1938, female CL 8.1 mm, holotype (ZLKU 4265).

New Caledonia. N/ O "Alis" Campagne SURPRISES, St. DW1390, 18°27.5’S, 163°08.7’E, 38 m, 0 9 May 1999, coll. B. Richerde Forges-IRD, 1 male CL 6.4 mm.

Loyalty Islands. Lifou Island. Santal Bay. Atelier LIFOU. St. 1463 (St. 21), Gaatcha Bay, 20°55.05’S, 167°03.35’E, 20–30 m, 10 Nov. 2000, 1 male CL 2.8 mm.

Remarks. The specimens examined from New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands differ from the holotype of E. melissa in having a comparatively broader carapace (Fig. 3 A) and stouter first ambulatory legs (Fig. 3 B). The New Caledonian specimen also lacks a fringe of plumose setae and a row of small spines and denticles on the extensor margin of each chela (Fig. 3 C), which are observed in the holotype. These distinctions are presently regarded as intraspecific variations. More material from the same localities as well as other areas of the Indo-West Pacific is needed to determine the status of the present specimens.

Distribution. Zanzibar, Madagascar, Seychelles, Philippine Islands, and Palau; littoral to 110 m; sand and corals (Haig 1981b, 1989). The present record of the species from New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands greatly extends its distribution to the southwestern Pacific.