Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

<em>Albunea speciosa</em> [from Dana 1855: pl. 25 fig. 6]

Albunea speciosa [from Dana 1855: pl. 25 fig. 6]

Museums

Regional Maps

Family ALBUNEIDAE Stimpson, 1858

 

Introduction

Albuneids are relatively small, crab-like anomurans. Typically, like the closely related Hippidae, they burrow into sandy substrates. This habit means that they are rarely encountered unless being specifically targeted for collection, and thus have been poorly studied. They are mostly found in relatively shallow coastal waters, but range in depth down to 225 metres.

Albuneids are well represented in Australian waters by four of the six genera recognised. Stemonopa Efford & Haig, 1968, is monotypic and apparently indigenous to Western Australia. A second genus Austrolepidopa Efford & Haig, 1968, was also considered indigenous until the recent description of a third species, A. caledonia Boyko & Harvey, 1999, from New Caledonia. Perhaps the most significant paper dealing with the Australian fauna is that of Efford & Haig (1968) although they did not treat the most common genus, Albunea. The publication by Serène & Umali (1965), and later works by Serène (1973, 1979), are key modern works on Indo-west Pacific species in general. Most recently, Boyko & Harvey (1999) provided an annotated list and key to Indo-west Pacific genera and species.

 

Diagnosis

Carapace subrectangular; dorsal surface moderately convex; regions weakly defined; a broad mat of very short, dense, simple setae just behind front ('setal field'); numerous transverse setose grooves. Rostrum reduced or absent; antennal flagellum elongate. Ocular peduncle short to markedly elongate; cornea distinct, atrophied, or absent. Ocular plate often exposed; often deeply indented to give impression of ocular acicles. Third maxillipeds subpediform, merus not enlarged, with short exopod; basis with or without crista dentata. First pereiopods subchelate. Dactyli of second, third and fourth pereiopods flattened. Endopod and exopod of uropod long, lamellar. Telson well developed, lamellar, but not greatly elongated. Nearly transparent decalcified 'windows' may be present on lateral and mesial surfaces of pereiopods 2–4, and on dorsal surface of first and second abdominal somites. Female gonopores on coxae of third pereiopods; male gonopores on fifth (males of Austrolepidopa and Lepidopa with accessory male pore on coxae of third pereiopods). Pleopods absent or rudimentary in males; present on female abdominal somites 2–5, uniramous. (After Miyake 1978; Boyko & Harvey 1999).

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
24-Apr-2012 24-Apr-2012 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)