Holthuija miersii ( Walker, 1887 )

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 : 161

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5384590
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:40BCDD62-D35E-46D1-95A3-2CC0DF219DEE
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03A9654B-FFB2-076B-566A-FF3F7C15FB56
treatment provided by	Valdenar (2021-08-30 05:01:19, last updated by Plazi 2023-11-05 21:35:32)
scientific name	Holthuija miersii ( Walker, 1887 )
status

Treatment

Holthuija miersii ( Walker, 1887) View in CoL

( Figs. 2E View Fig , 24A–D View Fig , 27A–C View Fig , 37D, E View Fig , 40D, E View Fig , 42C View Fig , 46A View Fig , 50D, E View Fig , 52I View Fig , 54D View Fig , 56C View Fig , 69C, D View Fig )

Maia miersii Walker, 1887: 109 View in CoL , pl. 6, figs 1–3.

Maja miersi – Serène, 1968: 57. – Serène & Lohavanijaya, 1973: 50 (key).

Maja miersii View in CoL – Rathbun, 1924: 6. – Griffin, 1966a: 284 (key). – Griffin & Tranter, 1986: 217. – Ng et al., 2008: 117.

Material examined. Singapore – 1 female (21.4 × 16.7 mm) ( NHM 1900.10.22.13), Pasir Panjang, near Sungei Pandan, sandy mud, 6 fathoms, coll. F.P. Bedford & W.F. Lanchester , 1900. — 1 male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) ( ZRC 2000.1497 View Materials ), Southern Islands , dredge, coll. D. Lane , 1991. — 2 females (14.7 × 10.7 mm, 16.5 × 12.2 mm) ( ZRC 1995.311 View Materials ), dredged off Pulau Semakau , coll. P.K.L. Ng , 1991. — 1 male (20.1 × 14.7 mm) ( ZRC 1985.325 View Materials ), Damar Laut , station B54, 5–8 fms, mud with gorgonians, coll. Singapore Fisheries Research Station , 1955–56. — 1 male (22.3 × 16.5 mm) ( CBM-ZC4001 ), southern Singapore , coll. T. Komai, dredge, 9 May 1997 . — 1 ovigerous female (50.2 × 40.4 mm) ( ZRC 2013.1272 View Materials ), station 4714-TB2, Semakau Island , dredge, coll. Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey team, RV Galaxea , 15 May 2013 .

Diagnosis. Carapace covered with small granules ( Fig. 24A–D View Fig ). Pseudorostral spines relatively short, diverging, curved outwards ( Fig. 37D, E View Fig ). Antorbital spine long, sharp; intercalated spine triangular, sharp; postorbital spine very long, sharp, slightly curved upwards; hepatic area with 2 sharp spines pointed outwards, first one longest ( Figs. 24A–D View Fig , 37D, E View Fig ). Lateral margin with 3 spines; 1 sharp branchial spine; 2 median spines: 1 gastric, 1 cardiac; 2 spines on posterior carapace margin ( Fig. 24A–D View Fig ). Basal antennal article granulated, with 2 long blunt spines distally ( Fig. 40D, E View Fig ). Epistome with 2 large tubercles on anterior margin ( Fig. 40D, E View Fig ). G1 strongly curved with small flap distally ( Fig. 27A–C View Fig ).

Remarks. Walker (1887) described Maia miersii from Singapore on the basis of a male 33 mm in carapace length (excluding pseudorostrum) ( Fig. 24A View Fig ). The largest male from Singapore examined here (ZRC 2000.1497) agrees well with his description and figures. The largest known specimen is a recently collected female specimen and differs from the smaller specimens in several features: the antorbital spine is directed somewhat more upwards, the posterior carapace spines are pointed more upwards, the ocular peduncle is relatively longer and more prominently curved upwards, it has two rows of large rounded granules starting from the basal antennal article to the epistome which are more prominent, the suborbital tooth is more strongly granulated, and the ambulatory legs are more setose. These differences are not significant and probably associated with its large size.

Tune Sakai (1938) first recorded this species as “ Maja miersi ” from Japan, and because material from Singapore (and Southeast Asia) has not been reported since, the Japanese accounts by T. Sakai and his colleagues (see synonymy for next species) are generally the ones used to define this taxon. Comparisons of material from Japan and Singapore show that while they are superficially resemble each other in having a relatively elongate carapace and similar arrangement of spines, their G1 structures are very different. The G1 of H. miersii s. str. is medially curved while that of the Japanese material is straight. In addition the two median spines on the posterior carapace margin are always short in the Japanese specimens while it is proportionately longer and stronger in H. miersii s. str. In addition, the subhepatic, pterygostomian and thoracic sternal surfaces are relatively more strongly granulated in H. miersii s. str. ( Fig. 50D, E View Fig ) compared to the less granulated condition in the Japanese material ( Fig. 50H View Fig ). The Japanese material previously identified as “ Maja miersi ” is here referred to Holthuija cognata n. sp. The G1 structure of H. cognata actually resembles that of H. pauli n. sp., but the two species have different carapace features.

Johnson (1958: 115) had checked on the type specimens of the four decapod species Walker described from Singapore, including Maia miersii , and noted that “none of them is present in there at the moment”. With Paul Clark , the second author searched the collections of NHM for Walker’s type male but could not locate the specimen. It is probably no longer extant, but a neotype is not necessary in light of the distinctive features of the species described here .

The recent specimen of H. miersii (ZRC 2013.1272) ( Fig. 69C, D View Fig ) was collected inside a large rock from around 20 m of water, in an area that is very rocky with very strong currents. This may be the preferred habitat of the species.

In life, the species is dull brown with patches of purple. The ambulatory dactyli are reddish brown; with parts of the ventral surfaces and abdomen purple ( Fig. 69C, D View Fig ).

References

Griffin DJG (1966 a) A review of the Australian majid spider crabs (Crustacea, Brachyura). Australian Zoologist, 13 (3): 259 - 298, 6 text-figs, pls. 15 - 17.

Griffin DJG & Tranter HA (1986) The Decapoda Brachyura of the Siboga Expedition. Part VIII. Majidae. Siboga-Expeditie, 39 C 4: 1 - 335, 22 pls.

Johnson DS (1958) The IndoWest Pacific species of the genus Polyonyx (Crustacea, Decapoda, Porcellanidae). Annals of Zoology, AGRA, 2 (8): 95 - 118.

Ng PKL, Guinot D & Davie PJF (2008) Systema Brachyurorum: Part I. An annotated checklist of extant brachyuran crabs of the world. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Supplement 17: 1 - 286.

Rathbun MJ (1924) New species and subspecies of spider crabs. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 64: 1 - 5.

Sakai T (1938) Studies on the Crabs of Japan. III. Brachygnatha, Oxyrhyncha. Yokendo, Tokyo, pp. 193 - 364, figs. 1 - 55, pls. 20 - 41, table I.

Serene R (1968) The Brachyura of the Indo Pacific Region. In: Prodromus for a Check List of the Non-planctonic Marine Fauna of South East Asia. Special Publication of the Singapore National Academy of Science, No. 1: 33 - 120.

Serene R & Lohavanijaya P (1973) The Brachyura (Crustacea: Decapoda) collected by the Naga Expedition, including a review of the Homolidae. In: Brinton E, Newman W & Wooster WS (eds.) Scientific Results of Marine Investigations of the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, 1959 - 1961. Naga Report, 4 (4): 1 - 187.

Walker AO (1887) Notes on a collection of Crustacea from Singapore. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, 20 (118): 107 - 117, pls. 6 - 9.

Figures

Fig. 2. Basal antennal article and position of flagellum.A, Maja brachydactyla, male (98.4 × 89.0 mm) (ZRC 2009.1130), U.K.; B, Paramaja kominatoensis, dried male (62.6 × 56.1 mm) (KPM NH0104298), Japan; C, Alcomaja irrorata n. sp., holotype male (52.6 × 45.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; D, Paramaya ouch n. sp., paratype ovigerous female (68.3 × 54.2 mm, with rhizocephala) (ZRC 2013.1317); E, Holthuija miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; F, Sakaija africana, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; G, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., holotype male (43.7 × 37.1 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; H, Ovimaja compressipes, male (49.6 × 39.6 mm) (ZRC 2008.1318), Taiwan.

Fig. 24. General habitus, Holthuija species. A, Holthuija miersi (as Maia miersii, after Walker, 1887: pl. 6, fig. 1); B, H. miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; C, H. miersii, female (16.5 × 12.2 mm) (ZRC 1995.311), Singapore; D, H. miersii, female (21.4 × 16.7 mm) (NHM 1900.10.22.13), Singapore; E, H. suluensis, holotype female (32.4 × 41.2 mm) (USNM 48224a), Philippines; F, H. pauli n. sp., holotype male (37.3 × 28.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines.

Fig. 27. Left G1s, Holthuija species. A–C, H. miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; D, E, H. suluensis, male (11.5 × 8.2 mm) (USNM 48507), Philippines; F–H, H. pauli n. sp., holotype male (37.3 × 28.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; I–K, H. cognata n. sp., holotype male (29.5 × 23.7 mm) (CBM-ZC3662), Japan; L–O, H. poorei n. sp., paratype male (26.1 × 20.1 mm) (NMV J63169), Timor Sea. Scale bars = 1.0 mm [A–F, I, L]; 0.5 mm [D, G, H, J, K, M–O]; 0.25 mm [E].

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. 40. Antennae, antennules and epistomes. 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 aussie n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea; I, Holthuija poorei n. sp., holotype male (24.3 × 18.7 mm) (NMV J63749), Timor Sea; J, Sakaija japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; K, Sakaija africana, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; L, Sakaija serenei n. sp., holotype male (17.4 × 14.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; M, Sakaija santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; N, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., holotype male (43.7 × 37.1 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; O, Ovimaja compressipes, male (49.6 × 39.6 mm) (ZRC 2008.1318), Taiwan.

Fig. 42. Epistomes. A, Paramaya spinigera, male (85.0 × 66.4 mm) (ZRC 1999.738), Taiwan; B, Paramaya coccinea n. sp., holotype male (69.0 × 55.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; C, Holthuija miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; D, Holthuija suluensis, holotype female (32.4 × 41.2 mm) (USNM 48224a), Philippines; E, Holthuija aussie n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea; F, Sakaija japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; G, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., holotype male (43.7 × 37.1 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; H, Ovimaja compressipes, male (49.6 × 39.6 mm) (ZRC 2008.1318), Taiwan.

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.

Fig. 50. Male anterior thoracic sternums and abdomens. 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, male (11.5 × 8.2 mm) (USNM 48507), 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 poorei n. sp., holotype male (24.3 × 18.7 mm) (NMV J63749), Timor Sea.

Fig. 52. Male sterno-abdominal cavities. A, Maja brachydactyla, male (98.4 × 89.0 mm) (ZRC 2009.1130), U.K.; B, Maja crispata, male (63.1 × 51.9 mm) (MNHN-IU-2013-4042), Italy; C, Neomaja goltziana, male (73.4 × 65.0 mm) (MNHN-IU-2013-4046), Congo; D, Paramaja gibba n. sp., male (79.5 × 77.9 mm) (ZRC 2013.1232), Bay of Bengal; E, Alcomaja irrorata n. sp., holotype male (52.6 × 45.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; F, Alcomaja desmondi n. sp., holotype male (35.4 × 28.3 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; G, Alcomaja nagashimaensis, male (30.5 × 26.0 mm) (ZRC 2001.430), Philippines; H, Paramaya spinigera, male (85.0 × 66.4 mm) (ZRC 1999.738), Taiwan; I, Holthuija miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; J, Sakaija japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; K, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., holotype male (43.7 × 37.1 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; L, Ovimaja compressipes, male (49.6 × 39.6 mm) (ZRC 2008.1318), Taiwan.

Fig. 54. Chelae. A, Paramaya spinigera, male (85.0 × 66.4 mm) (ZRC 1999.738), Taiwan; B, Paramaya ouch n. sp., paratype male (76.5 × 61.3 mm) (ZRC 2001.0577), 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 suluensis, holotype female (32.4 × 41.2 mm) (USNM 48224a), Philippines; F, Holthuija pauli n. sp., holotype male (37.3 × 28.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; G, Holthuija cognata n. sp., holotype male (29.5 × 23.7 mm) (CBM-ZC3662), Japan; H, Holthuija aussie n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea; I, Holthuija poorei n. sp., holotype male (24.3 × 18.7 mm) (NMV J63749), Timor Sea; J, Sakaija japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; K, Sakaija serenei n. sp., holotype male (17.4 × 14.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; L, Sakaija santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; M, Sakaija africana, male (32.2 × 25.4 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-928), Madagascar; N, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., holotype male (43.7 × 37.1 mm) (NMCR), 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.

Fig. 56. First ambulatory dactyli and propodi. A, Paramaya spinigera, dried female (70.1 × 58.8 mm) (KPM NH4195), Japan; B, Paramaya coccinea n. sp., holotype male (69.0 × 55.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; C, Holthuija miersi, male (32.6 × 25.6 mm) (ZRC 2000.1497), Singapore; D, Holthuija suluensis, holotype female (32.4 × 41.2 mm) (USNM 48224a), Philippines; E, Holthuija cognata n. sp., holotype male (29.5 × 23.7 mm) (CBM-ZC3662), Japan [figure laterally inverted]; F, Holthuija aussie n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea; G, Holthuija poorei, n. sp. paratype female (27.0 × 22.5 mm) (NMV J63751), Arafura Sea; H, Sakaija japonica, male (22.3 × 17.8 mm) (ZRC 2013.1267), Taiwan; I, Sakaija serenei n. sp., holotype male (17.4 × 14.7 mm) (NMCR), Philippines [figure laterally inverted]; J, Sakaija santo n. sp., holotype male (9.4 × 6.6 mm) (MNHN), Vanuatu; K, Planaja plana n. gen. n. sp., holotype male (43.7 × 37.1 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; L, Ovimaja compressipes, male (49.6 × 39.6 mm) (ZRC 2008.1318), Taiwan.

Fig. 69. Colours in life. A, Alcomaja nagashimaensis, male (specimen not examined), Philippines; B, Alcomaja miriky n. sp., paratype male (17.3 × 12.7 mm) (MNHN-IU-2010-60), Madagascar; C, D, Holthuija miersii, ovigerous female (50.2 × 40.4 mm) (ZRC 2013.1272), Singapore; E, Holthuija pauli n. sp., paratype male (31.5 × 23.4 mm) (ZRC 2001.0590), Philippines; F, Holthuija pauli n. sp., female (38.8 × 28.9 mm) (ZRC 2013.1379), Philippines.