Dromia McLay, 1993

Published, First, 2009, New records of crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura) from the New Zealand region, including a new species of Rochinia A. Milne-Edwards, 1875 (Majidae), and a revision of the genus Dromia Weber, 1795 (Dromiidae), Zootaxa 2111, pp. 1-66 : 19

Dromia McLay, 1993 (part)

Definition Carapace wider than long (ratio = 1.1–1.2), surface smooth, covered by short, even velvety tomentum, not hirsute. Rostrum tridentate, median tooth longer than lateral teeth, clearly visible dorsally. Female sternal grooves converge gradually anteriorly, ending with divergent tips between bases of chelipeds, separated by a prominent smooth ridge. Chelipeds (P1) massive, inner superior margin with 4 tubercles, epipod present. Sternite 4 T-shaped (inverted), episternites extend laterally between coxae of cheliped, P2 to form cross-piece of “T”, stem of “T” formed by sternite narrowing anteriorly, tip truncate, ratio of distance across episternites to sternite length 1.9 (males) to 2.2 (females). Walking legs (P2–P5) not knobbed or ridged, dactyli much shorter than propodi, inner margins armed with 4 or 5 strong spines. Carrying legs (P4 & P5) shorter. P4 dactylus opposed by a single propodal spine, no spine on outer propodal margin. P5 slightly shorter than third, dactylus opposed by 2 spines with another on the outer propodal margin. Margin of telson rounded. Uropod plates well developed, visible externally, used in male abdominal locking mechanism by fitting in front of serrated flange on bases of first legs. Joint between last two abdominal somites freely movable.

Etymology. The new generic name is derived from the Latin tumidus and the name of the genus Dromia , the type species of the family, alluding to the swollen inflated shape of the carapace.

Distribution Tumidodromia has a wide spread Indo-West Pacific distribution, associated with coral reefs, inhabiting shallow depths down to around 100 m. Its sole species, T. dormia , is the largest known dromiid crab, growing to around CW = 200mm.