Laubierinia nodosa ( Rathbun, 1916 ) Rathbun, 1916

Forges, Bertrand Richer De & Ng, Peter K. L., 2009, New genera, new species and new records of Indo-West Pacific spider crabs (Crustacea: Brachyura: Epialtidae: Majoidea), Zootaxa 2025, pp. 1-20 : 16

Laubierinia nodosa ( Rathbun, 1916) comb. nov.

Fig. 10 A–C

Material examined. Philippines. Balicasag, November 2003: 1 female (11.2 x 8.3 mm) ( ZRC 2009.0023). – Balicasag Island, February 2004: 2 males (15.3 x 12.3 mm, 13.0 x 10.0 mm), 2 ovigerous females (16.6 x 13.5 mm, 15.4 x 12.4 mm) ( ZRC 2009.0024). – PANGLAO 2005: stn. CP 2392, 9°29.5’N 123°42.6’E, 242 m, 30 May 2005: 2 males (12.1 x 9.2 mm, 11.2 x 8.0 mm), 1 ovigerous female (19.2 x 15.1 mm) ( NMCR). – Stn. CP 2393, 9°30.8’N 123° 42.0 E, 356 m, 30 May 2005: 1 male (9.9 x 7.5 mm), 2 ovigerous females (17.9 x 14.3 mm, 14.6 x 11.1 mm), 3 females (12.1 x 8.5 mm, 12.4 x 9.6 mm, 11.6 x 9.4 mm, broken rostrum) ( MNHN B31865). – Stn. CP 2394, 9°29.1’N 123°40.7’E, 470 m, 30 May 2005: 2 males (18.8 x 15.3 mm, 8.3 x 5.4 mm) ( ZRC 2009.0025). – Stn. CP 2398, 9°33.2’N 123°41.0’E, 713 m, 31 May 2005: 1 male (19.4 x 15.8 mm) ( NMCR). – Stn. CP 2399, 9°31.8’N 123°41.7’E, 342 m, 31 May 2005: 1 female (11.5 x 8.5 mm) ( MNHN B31866).

Remarks. Griffin (1976: 213, fig. 10a, as Rochinia nodosa ) provided a photograph of the holotype of L. nodosa from the Bohol Sea, which agrees very well with the series of specimens at hand, many from the type locality. The carapace of L. nodosa is covered by a very thick and dense tomentum masking the swollen regions, although the removal of the tomentum shows that the carapace has no plates but only tubercles at best. In this respect, it is very different from all other Oxypleurodon species. The raised regions are arranged as follow: a very inflated hepatic region, which is slightly directed dorsally; one larger cardiac tubercle surrounded by three sharp tubercles on each side and one above; one large epibranchial tubercle with a sharp point dorsally; one mesogastric tubercle and two tubercles on the epigastric region; one branchial swelling. The supraocular eave is elongated, forming a spine anteriorly and on the lateral border of the carapace, and there are two lamellar crests at the protobranchial position.

The G1 drawn by Griffin and Tranter (1986: 189, fig. 63g, h) shows the tip rounded, which is quite different from those of typical Oxypleurodon species ( Fig. 3 ).

Figures

FIGURE 10. Laubierinia nodosa (Rathbun, 1916), male (18.8 x 15.3 mm) (ZRC 2009.0025). A, overall dorsal view; B, lateral view of carapace; C, thoracic sternum and abdomen.

FIGURE 3. G 1 s. A, B, Oxypleurodon sanctaeclausi n. sp., holotype male (15.1 x 14.4 mm) (NMCR, ex ZRC 2008.0828); C, D. Oxypleurodon annulatum n. sp., holotype male (11.1 x 6.5 mm) (NMCR); E, F. Oxypleurodon carbunculum (Rathbun, 1906), male (19.9 x 14.4 mm) (BPBM Acc. N ° 1981.136). Scales = 0.5 mm.