Holthuija aussie, 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 : 163-164

Holthuija aussie n. sp.

( Figs. 25B–D , 26D , 37I , 40H , 42E , 46E , 54H , 56F )

Maja suluensis – Poore et al., 2008: 62. (not Maja suluensis Rathbun, 1916 ). (not Maja suluensis Rathbun, 1916 ).

Material examined. Holotype: ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) ( NMV J63752 ), Arafura Sea, 10°58.03’S 136°47.82’E, 107–108 m, coll. B. A. Glasby, CSIRO RV Southern Surveyor, 17 October 2012. Others: 1 juvenile female (14.3 × 11.9 mm [right branchial region with bopyrid parasite) ( NMV J61058 ), Imperieuse L 23 Transect, northwestern Australia, 18°27.62’S 120°08.68’E – 18°27.72’S 120°08.68’E, 80–81 m, coll. M. Gomon, CSIRO RV Southern Surveyor, 19 June 2007. — 1 juvenile female (11.9 × 9.1 mm) ( NMV J63958 ), off Red Bluff , Western Australia, 24°02.62’S 113°01.62’E – 24°02.83’S 113°01.73’E, 100 m, coll. G. Poore, CSIRO RV Southern Surveyor , 8 December 2005.

Diagnosis. Carapace covered with small granules ( Fig. 25B–D ). Pseudorostral spines long, diverging ( Fig. 37I ). Antorbital spine long, sharp, strongly curved upwards and anteriorly; intercalated spine triangular, with distinct gaps on each side; postorbital spine long, strong; hepatic spine short; median row with 5 long spines: 2 gastric, 3 cardiac (2 may be small in young specimens) ( Figs. 25B–D , 37I ). Lateral margin with 3 long spines increasing towards posterior; 1 very long branchial spine; 2 long upwardly directed spines on posterior carapace margin ( Fig. 25B–D ). Basal antennal article with 2 big blunt distal teeth; on inner margin 2 lobate teeth; external margin serrulated ( Fig. 40H ). Epistome with 2 tubercles on anterior margin ( Fig. 40H ). G1 not known.

Etymology. The species is named after a common nickname for Australians – “Aussie”. The name is used as a noun in apposition.

Remarks. Holthuija aussie n. sp. is the only species of the Maja group to possess three cardiac spines. The holotype of the species comes from the northwestern Australian coast, in the Arafura Sea, very close to Indonesian waters.

The identities of two juvenile specimens ( J61058 and J53958 ) collected at 18°S and 24°S, is uncertain as they differ from the type in several aspects. The following differences are observed: the antorbital spine is not as curved in the juveniles as found in the adults; there are wide gaps on each side of the intercalated spine in the juveniles versus narrow gaps in the adults; all the lateral spines are shorter in the juvenile specimens; only one cardiac spine versus 3 in the adult; the distal spines on the basal antennal article are shorter and not so sharp; the cornea shape is different, being more elongate in the juveniles. They could belong to a new species but as neither specimens are adult, it was decided that this was best left to a later date when better material becomes available. They are here provisionally referred to Holthuija aussie for convenience .

Figures

Fig. 25. General habitus, Holthuija species. A, H. cognata n. sp., holotype male (29.5 × 23.7 mm) (CBM-ZC3662), Japan; B, H. aussie n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea; C, H. aussie n. sp., paratype juvenile female (11.9 × 9.1 mm) (NMV J53958), Australia; D, H. aussie n. sp., juvenile female (14.3 × 11.9 mm) (NMV J61058), Australia; E, H. poorei n. sp., holotype male (24.3 × 18.7 mm) (NMV J63749), Timor Sea; F, H. poorei n. sp., paratype female (27.0 × 22.5 mm) (NMV J63751), Arafura Sea.

Fig. 26. Lateral views of carapaces, Holthuija species. A, H. suluensis, holotype female (32.4 × 41.2 mm) (USNM 48224a), Philippines; B, H. pauli n. sp., holotype male (37.3 × 28.0 mm) (NMCR), Philippines; C, H. pauli n. sp., paratype male (35.0 × 27.0 mm) (ZRC 2013.1378), Philippines; D, H. aussie n. sp., holotype ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea; E, H. poorei n. sp., holotype male (24.3 × 18.7 mm) (NMV J63749), Timor Sea [laterally inverted to match earlier figures]; F, H. poorei n. sp., paratype female (27.0 × 22.5 mm) (NMV J63751), Arafura Sea laterally inverted to match earlier figures].

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. 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.