On the Indian species of Eurycarcinus A. Milne-Edwards, 1867, Heteropanope Stimpson, 1858, and Pilumnopeus A. Milne-Edwards, 1867 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Pilumnidae)

Abstract

Abstract Five species of pilumnid crabs assigned to Eurycarcinus A. Milne-Edwards, 1867, Heteropanope Stimpson, 1858, and Pilumnopeus A. Milne-Edwards, 1867, have been reported from India: E. orientalis A. Milne-Edwards, 1867, E. bengalensis Deb, 1999, H. glabra Stimpson, 1858, H. neolaevis Deb, 1995, and P. convexus (Maccagno, 1936). The identity of E. bengalensis is confused and the species had been provisionally transferred to Heteropanope. Examination of the types however, confirms the affinities of the species with Eurycarcinus and consequently extends the range of the genus to the eastern Indian Ocean. A re-examination of the types of H. neolaevis show that it is a junior subjective synonym of Aniptumnus quadridentus (De Man, 1895), and is the first record of the genus from India. Eurycarcinus integrifrons De Man, 1879, is also formally recorded for the first time from India.

Keywords

• Aniptumnus
• Eurycarcinus
• Gujarat
• Heteropanope
• India
• new records
• Pilumnopeus
• synonymy
• taxonomy
• West Bengal