Pseudolitochira Ward, 1942

Ng, Peter K. L. & Clark, Paul F., 2022, Descriptions of three new Pseudolitochira Ward, 1942 species (Crustacea: Brachyura: Pilumnidae) from the West Pacific, Journal of Natural History 56 (5 - 8), pp. 349-364 : 350

Genus Pseudolitochira Ward, 1942

Diagnosis

Carapace transversely ovate to subrectangular; surface evenly covered with dense short pubescence that obscures surface and margin, with interspersed long simple setae on margins and pereopods; regions on dorsal carapace surface almost indiscernible; postfrontal ridge that spans frontal region distinct but low, lined with long simple setae; front wide, bilobed, lateral lobule low to absent; anterolateral margin entire and lined with small granules or with 1 or 2 low spines; posterior margin of epistome with median lobe triangular, lateral margin entire, without fissure or cleft; third maxilliped with short, subrectangular ischium, merus quadrate, anteroexternal angle rounded, not auriculiform; ambulatory legs proportionately stout or slender, long, with distinct dactylo-propodal lock; male pleonal somite 1 reaching coxae of fourth ambulatory leg, broadly subrectangular, somite 2 distinctly shorter than somite 1, somite 3 just slightly less wide than somite 1; adult female pleon not covering entire surface of thoracic sternum; vulvae large, subovate, occupying anterior two-thirds of sternite 6, touching or almost touching suture with sternite 5.

Type species

Carcinoplax integra Miers, 1884 , by monotypy; gender feminine.

Remarks

The present discovery of three additional Pseudolitochira species requires a minor amendment to the generic diagnosis of Ng et al. (2021). The type female of P. integra on which the genus is based does not possess long carapace and cheliped setae, but they were almost certainly denuded; the original figures ( Miers 1884, pl. 8, fig. C) depict the long setae on the margins. These long setae are all simple, and none are plumose. The short pubescence on the carapace is distinct on the three new species and obscures the surface and margins in life. They can be relatively easily removed with a stiff brush, but in fresh specimens this setation is dense and obscures the surface and margins.