Megalobrachium soriatum (Say, 1818)

Ferreira, Luciane Augusto De Azevedo & Melo, Gustavo Augusto Schmidt De, 2016, Porcelain crabs from Brazil (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Porcellanidae), Zootaxa 4092 (2), pp. 175-194 : 177-179

Megalobrachium soriatum (Say, 1818)

( Fig. 1 C)

Porcellana soriata Say, 1818: 456 (type-locality: St. Catherine’s Island, Georgia, USA). Porcellanopsis soriata —Chace, 1942: 100.

Megalobrachium soriatum —Haig, 1960: 229.

Megalobrachium walteri Rodrigues da Costa, 1964: 565.

Material examined. Brazil: Pernambuco—Suape, 1 female (MZUSP-12810). Bahia—Abrolhos, south of Ilha Santa Bárbara, 5 m, 1 male (MZUSP-12891); Recife de Nova Viçosa, 1 male, 1 female (MZUSP-19903). Espírito Santo—Itapemirim, 21°18.58’S, 40°28.65’W, 1 male (MNRJ-8861). Rio de Janeiro—Ilha Grande, Praia do Furado, 1 female (MNRJ-3632).

Recognition characters. Carapace subhexagonal, as long as broad in males, slightly broader than long in females, with irregular tubercles and setae on epibranchial region, lateral and posterior margins; lateral margin pubescent, with row of 4 teeth on lateral margin; strong epibranchial spine. Front with granulate margin. Pterygostomial flap of carapace with plumose setae and teeth on upper anterior margin. Chelipeds robust, covered with proeminent tubercles and numerous setae; merus with distal rounded and crenulate lobe on flexor margin; carpus with irregular tubercles, proximal lobe on flexor margin crenulate, usually spine-tipped, accessories spines; propodus fringed with setae on extensor margin. Walking legs short, robust, with plumose setae and tubercles; carpus with prominent distal tubercle on extensor margin; dactylus with 3 spines on flexor margin. Gonopods present in males. Telson composed of 5 plates.

Habitat. On rocks, corals, sponges and calcareous algae, down to depths of 54 m. Williams (1984) mentions the occurrence up to 171 m.

Geographic distribution. Western Atlantic—USA, North and South Carolina, eastern and western Florida, Texas; Mexico, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Campeche and Quintana Roo; Panama, Bocas del Toro, Caledonia Bay and Galeta Island; Puerto Rico; Martinique; Barbados; Colombia, Santa Marta; Venezuela, Margarita Island; and Brazil (Maranhão and from Ceará to São Paulo).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Preseved specimens, dorsal view. A, Megalobrachium mortenseni Haig, 1962, ovigerous female (MZUSP- 24529); B, Megalobrachium roseum (Rathbun, 1900), female (MZUSP- 19905); C, Megalobrachium soriatum (Say, 1818), male (MZUSP- 19903); D, Minyocerus angustus (Dana, 1852), ovigerous female (MZUSP- 17473); E, Pachycheles ackleianus A. Milne-Edwards, 1880, male (MZUSP- 19548); F, Pachycheles chubutensis Boschi, 1963, male (MZUSP- 7194); G, Pachycheles greeleyi (Rathbun, 1900), male (MZUSP- 21232); H, Pachycheles laevidactylus Ortmann, 1892, male (MZUSP- 18723). Scales: A – E (1 mm); F – H (5 mm).