Notes on the type of Abyssotheres abyssicola (Alcock & Anderson, 1899), and a new record of A. acesticola Komatsu & Ohtsuka, 2009 (Brachyura, Pinnotheridae), from the South China Sea

Abstract

The type species of Abyssotheres Manning & Galil, 2000, Pinnoteres abyssicola Alcock & Anderson, 1899, was re-examined to ascertain the veracity of several character states which had been used by the original authors to establish the genus. Komatsu & Ohtsuka (2009) had questioned whether the palp of the third maxilliped only had two articles, with the dactylus absent as reported by Manning & Galil (2000). The type female of the species actually has a dactylus on the third maxilliped palp. In addition, despite earlier statements that the first and second ambulatory legs have the longest dactyli, this is not the case, with the second and third legs possessing the longest dactyli. In addition, A. acesticola Komatsu & Ohtsuka, 2009, is here reported from Tungsha Island in the South China Sea, for the first time.