Key to all species of the genus Automate

1. Rostrum reaching nearly anterior margin of carapace.........................................................2

-. Rostrum, if present, not reaching as far as anterior margin of carapace............................................4

2. Antennal scale overreaching second segment of antennular peduncle.............................................3

-. Antennal scale reaching barely to level of midlength of second segment of antennular peduncle... A. talismani Coutière, 1902

3. Disto-lateral spine of scaphocerite not exceed anterior margin of blade................ A. hayashii Anker & Komai, 2004

-. Disto-lateral spine of scaphocerite distinct overreaching anterior margin of blade.............. A. salomoni Coutière, 1908

4. Antennal scale with lateral margin somewhat sinuous......................................................... 5

-. Antennal scale with lateral margin convex, concave, or nearly strait, not sinuous....................................7

5. Rostrum small but distinct; antennal scale with disto-lateral tooth slender and far overreaching distal margin of blade......6

-. Rostrum absent; antennal scale with disto-lateral tooth short, not overreaching distal margin of blade.................................................................................................... A. rectifrons Chace, 1972

6. Lower margin of major chela bearing one deep notch; carpus of minor cheliped 1/2 length of chela, cutting edge of dactylus not dentate................................................................... A. anacanthopusoides sp. nov.

-. Lower margin of major chela smooth, only slightly concave; carpus of minor cheliped shorter than 1/3 length of chela, cutting edge of dactylus dentate....................................................... A. anacanthopus De Man, 1910

7. Rostrum absent......................................................................... A. spinosa sp. nov.

-. Rostrum present.......................................................................................8

8. Third pereiopod with about 5 spines on ventral margin of propodus..................... A. dolichognatha De Man, 1888

-. Third pereiopod setose, without spines on ventral margin of propodus............................................9

9. Basal segment of antennal peduncle (basicerite) armed with minute distal tooth at base of antennal scale..................................................................................... A. branchialis Holthuis & Gottlieb, 1985

-. Basal segment of antennal peduncle (basicerite) unarmed.....................................................10

10. Major chela rugose on both margins of palm............................................ A. rugosa Coutière, 1902

-. Major chela not rugose on margins of palm........................................... A. evermanni Rathbun, 1901