Munida pusilla Benedict, 1902

De, Gustavo A. S. & Melo-Filho, 2006, Reports on the results of the N. Oc. “ Prof. W. Besnard ” expeditions to the southern coast of Brazil under the Revizee Program: Chirostylidae and Galatheidae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura), Zootaxa 1238, pp. 1-22 : 13

Munida pusilla Benedict, 1902

Munida pusilla Benedict, 1902: 268 , fig. 16; Haig, 1956: 2; Springer & Bullis, 1956: 15; Williams, 1984: 256, fig. 171; Abele & Kim, 1986: 35, figs. f–g,; Melo­Filho, 1998: 395; Melo, 1999: 198, figs. 127–128; Melo­Filho & Melo, 2001b: 1159, figs. 26–27; 2001c: 48; Melo­Filho & Coelho­Filho, 2004: 61.

Munida spinifrons . — Coelho & Ramos, 1972: 171 [part.].

Munida brasiliae Coelho, 1973: 344 [part.].

Material examined

Brazil: São Paulo — N.Oc. “Prof. W. Besnard”, st. 6666, 163 m, 1 ex. ( MZUSP 13222), 1 ex. ( MZUSP 13223), 1 ex. ( MZUSP 13226); st. 6673, 133 m, 1 ex. ( MZUSP 13202); st. 6681, 168 m, 18 ex. ( MZUSP 13483); st. 6686, 380 m, 5 ex. ( MZUSP 13216).

Recognition characters

Carapace convex, with anterior margin oblique. Outer orbital spine followed by 6 lateral spines. Gastric area with transverse row of 4 spines. One parahepatic spine on each side of carapace. Branchial areas armed with 1 spine on each side. One postcervical spine on each side of carapace. Remainder of carapace unarmed. Rostrum short and obscurely spinulated on margin. Abdominal tergites 2 unarmed, or armed with 1 pair of spines on anterior margin. Remaining abdominal tergites unarmed. Peduncle of antennule with inner terminal spine longer than outer one; outer lateral margin with 2 spines. Peduncle of antenna with only first segment armed, with 1 outer terminal spine. Third maxilliped with at most 2 spines on ventral (flexor) margin of merus. Chelipeds short, palm longer than fingers. Sternum unarmed.

Distribution

Western Atlantic: the Carolinas, Florida (temperate east coast), Gulf of Mexico (northeast and southeast coast), Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil (Amapá, Ceará, São Paulo). Between 38 and 168 meters depth. Collected at 380 meters at N.Oc. “Prof. W. Besnard” st. 6686.