Sakaija longispinosa, Ng & Forges, 2015

Ng, Peter K. L. & Forges, Bertrand Richer De, 2015, Revision of the spider crab genus Maja Lamarck, 1801 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Majoidea: Majidae), with descriptions of seven new genera and 17 new species from the Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific, Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 63, pp. 110-225 : 174

Sakaija longispinosa n. sp.

( Figs. 32A, B , 37N , 46L )

Material examined. Holotype: ovigerous female (11.4 × 8.6 mm) ( NMV J63792 ), Northwest Shelf , between Port Hedland and Dampier, 18°45.00’S 118°24.00’E, 142 m, Australia, coll. RV Soela, 5 June 2007 . Paratype: 1 ovigerous female (14.2 × 10.7 mm) ( NMV J63197 ), same data as holotype. Others: Australia – 1 ovigerous female (13.4 × 9.7 mm) ( NMV J60779 ), northwestern coast, Adele L 26 transect 14°33.41’S 122°54.22’E, 135–165 m, coll. RV Southern Surveyor , 4 July 2007 .

Diagnosis. Carapace branchial area gently inflated, ovate; with very long lateral and branchial spines ( Fig. 32A, B ). Pseudorostral spines long, diverging ( Fig. 37N ). Supraocular eave distinctly curved; antorbital spine strong, curved distally upwards; intercalated spine short, with very wide gaps between spines; postorbital spine long, pointed anteriorly; hepatic spine small, pointed outwards ( Fig. 32A, B ). Lateral margin with 2 distinct spines, anterior one small; branchial spine very long; median row with 4 spines: 2 gastric (the anterior one reduced), 1 long cardiac, 1 long intestinal; posterior carapace margin with 1 strong median spine and 2 adjacent small spinules or sharp spines ( Fig. 32A, B ). Basal antennal article with 2 blunt distal teeth, with 3 rows of 4 granules. Ischium of third maxilliped distinctly granulated ( Fig. 46L ). Ambulatory legs relatively short ( Fig. 32A, B ). G1 not known.

Etymology. The name alludes to the long carapace spines of the species.

Remarks. This species has proportionately, the longest lateral and branchial spines in any congener, which easily distinguish it. As such, we are confident in referring it to a new species even in the absence of males. One ovigerous specimen (NMV J60779 ) is tentatively referred to S. longispinosa . It appears to be somewhat more setose compared to the others and several of its major spines are broken.

Figures

Fig. 32. General habitus, Sakaija species. A, S. longispinosa n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (11.4 × 8.6 mm) (NMV J63792), Australia; B, S. longispinosa n. sp., paratype ovigerous female (14.2 × 10.7 mm) (NMV J63197), Australia; C, S. santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; D, S. santo n. sp., paratype female (13.1 × 10.4 mm) (ZRC 2013.1245), Vanuatu.

Fig. 37. Frontal regions of carapaces. A, Paramaya spinigera, male (85.0 × 66.4 mm) (ZRC 1999.738), Taiwan; B, Paramaya ouch n. sp., holotype male (76.8 × 60.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; C, Paramaya coccinea n. sp., holotype male (69.0 × 55.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; D, Holthuija miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; E, Holthuija miersii, male (22.3 × 16.5 mm) (CBM ZC4001), Singapore; F, Holthuija suluensis, holotype female (32.4 × 41.2 mm) (USNM 48224a), Philippines; G, Holthuija pauli n. sp., holotype male (37.3 × 28.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; H, Holthuija cognata n. sp., holotype male (29.5 × 23.7 mm) (CBM-ZC3662), Japan; I, Holthuija aussie n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea; J, Holthuija poorei n. sp., paratype female (27.0 × 22.5 mm) (NMV J63751), Arafura Sea; K, Sakaija japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; L, Sakaija africana, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; M, Sakaija serenei n. sp., holotype male (17.4 × 14.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; N, Sakaija longispinosa n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (11.4 × 8.6 mm) (NMV J63792), Australia; O, Sakaija santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu.

Fig. 46. Third maxillipeds. A, Holthuija miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; B, Holthuija suluensis, holotype female (32.4 × 41.2 mm) (USNM 48224a), Philippines; C, Holthuija pauli n. sp., holotype male (37.3 × 28.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; D, Holthuija cognata n. sp., holotype male (29.5 × 23.7 mm) (CBM-ZC3662), Japan; E, Holthuija aussie n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea; F, Holthuija poorei n. sp., holotype male (24.3 × 18.7 mm) (NMV J63749), Timor Sea; G, Sakaija japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; H, Sakaija sakaii, male (9.0 × 6.6 mm) (NSMT-Cr 8094), Japan; I, Sakaija africana, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; J, Sakaija serenei n. sp., holotype male (17.4 × 14.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; K, Sakaija santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; L, Sakaija longispinosa n. sp., paratype ovigerous female (14.2 × 10.7 mm) (NMV J63197), Australia; M, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., holotype male (43.7 × 37.1 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; N, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., paratype male (38.3 × 30.7 mm) (ZRC 2013.1370), Philippines; O, Ovimaja compressipes, holotype female (51.2 × 40.5 mm) (NHM 1860.15), China; P, Ovimaja compressipes, male (49.6 × 39.6 mm) (ZRC 2008.1318), Taiwan.