A new genus of varunid crab from the Philippines (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae)

Abstract

Hemigrapsus lobulatus Manuel, Gonzales & Basmayor, 1991, a species of varunid crab from the Philippines, is here referred to a new genus. The species is not related to Hemigrapsus Dana, 1851 or its allies but is closer to Pseudograpsus H. Milne Edwards, 1837, Pyxidognathus A. Milne Edwards, 1879, and Scutumara Ng & Nakasone, 1993. It differs from members of those genera in having the dorsal carapace surface distinctly granulated with the regions well demarcated, a male chela which has a patch of granules on the dorsal surface, the presence of setae on the inner surface of the chela, and possession of a long and narrow male abdomen.