Pteromaja maklayi gen. et sp. nov., a remarkable new spider crab (Crustacea: Brachyura: Epialtidae) from Papua New Guinea

Abstract

A new genus and species of the spider crab family Epialtidae, Pteromaja maklayi gen. et sp. nov., is described from Madang Lagoon, Papua New Guinea. Pteromaja gen. nov. is characterized by peculiar, wing-like, lateral hepatic projections; a short, downwards-directed pseudorostrum, not visible in dorsal view; and the postfrontal area with a slender vertical spine. The new genus appears to be closest to Huenia and Sargassocarcinus, two genera with strongly expanded hepatic and lateral carapace lobes. The holotype of P. maklayi gen. et sp. nov., an ovigerous female, was found among algae and rubble substrate collected at a depth range of 6-50 m, along a coral reef drop-off. The crab was camouflaged by filamentous red algae and encrusting bryozoans. © 2014 © 2014 Taylor & Francis.