• Callianassidae Dana, J.D. 1852. Conspectus Crustaceorum quae in Orbis Terrarum circumnavigatione, Carolo Wilkes e classe Reipublicae Foederatae Duce, lexit et descripsit. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 6: 10-28 [12, 14] [name placed on the Official List of Family Names in Zoology, see International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1956. Opinion 434. Use of the Plenary Powers to secure that the name Upegebia [Leach], [1814], and Processa Leach, [1815], shall be the oldest names for the genera in question and that the family-group names based on these generic names shall be the oldest available names for the family-group taxa concerned. Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 14: 403–424].

  Secondary source:

   International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1956. Opinion 434. Use of the Plenary Powers to secure that the name Upegebia [Leach], [1814], and Processa Leach, [1815], shall be the oldest names for the genera in question and that the family-group names based on these generic names shall be the oldest available names for the family-group taxa concerned. Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 14: 403-424.

Introduction

Callianassids are elongate, very soft-bodied shrimps, white or pale pink, with a pleon longer than the carapace. They are common, mostly in the tropics where they build permanent burrows in soft sediments of the shelf or reef lagoons. Burrow structure and feeding behaviour are well studied including in Australia (Butler & Bird 2008). Some are filter feeders but others pull seagrass down into the burrows to harvest as food. The largest callianassids are up to 15 cm long and in southeast Asia are sold as food. In Australia, ghost shrimps are captured for fish bait using a ‘yabby pump’.

The taxonomy of Callianassidae sensu lato has been fluid over the last several decades. Several family and generic names have been introduced, notably summarised by Sakai (1999, 2005, 2011). A more recent classification based on molecular and morphological phylograms (Poore et al. 2019; Robles et al. 2020) differs considerably from Sakai’s arrangements and is followed here. Poore et al. (2019) provided more extensive diagnoses, keys, references and lists of species by genus.

The first major modern work dealing with callianassids in Australia was that of Poore & Griffin (1979), and this was the springboard for several other useful papers including those of Sakai (1984, 1988) and Ngoc-Ho (1994). Poore (1994) provided a key to genera.

Manning & Felder (1991) divided the Callianassidae into four subfamilies: Callianassinae Dana, 1852, Cheraminae Manning & Felder, 1991, Callichirinae Manning & Felder, 1991, and Eucalliinae Manning & Felder, 1991, all except Cheraminae now families.

Diagnosis

Rostrum flat, triangular, shorter than eyestalks, or spike-like; anterior branchiostegal lobe sclerotised, merging smoothly with anterodorsal branchiostegal angle. Scaphocerite rudimentary. Maxilliped 1 epipod truncate, without anterior lobe. Maxilliped 3 propodus longer than wide, not prominently lobed on lower margin, or about as wide as long. Female pleopod 2 rami styliform, endopod much longer than broad, or absent. Uropodal exopod with elevated dorsal plate.

Diagnosis References

Poore, G.C.B.,& Ahyong, S.T. 2023. Marine decapod Crustacea. A guide to families and genera of the World. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing pp. 928.

General References

Butler, S. N., & Bird, F. L 2008. Temporal changes in burrow structure of the thalassinidean ghost shrimps Trypaea australiensis and Biffarius arenosus. Journal of Natural History 42: 2041-2062

Manning, R.B. & Felder, D.L. 1991. Revision of the American Callianassidae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 104(4): 764-792

Ngoc-Ho, N. 1994. Some Callianassidae and Upogebiidae from Australia with descriptions of four new species (Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 54: 51-78

Poore, G.C.B. 1994. A phylogeny of the families of Thalassinidea (Crustacea: Decapoda) with keys to families and genera. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 54: 79-120

Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146

Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [82, Figures 6–11]

Poore, G.C.B. & Griffin, D.J.G. 1979. The Thalassinidea (Crustacea: Decapoda) of Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 32(6): 217-321

Robles, R., Dworschak, P.C., Felder, D.L., Poore, G.C.B. & Mantelatto, F.L. 2020. A molecular phylogeny of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) with morphological support. Invertebrate Systematics 34: 113-132

Sakai, K. 1984. Some Thalassinideans (Decapoda: Crustacea) from Heron Is., Queensland, Eastern Australia, and a new species of Gourretia from East Africa. The Beagle. Occasional Papers of the Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences 1(11): 95-108

Sakai, K. 1988. A new genus and five new species of Callianassidae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea) from Northern Australia. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 5(1): 51-69

Sakai, K. 1999. Synopsis of the family Callianassidae, with keys to subfamilies, genera and species, and the description of new taxa (Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea). Zoologische Verhandelingen (Leiden) 326: 1-152

Sakai, K. 2005. Callianassoidea of the world (Decapoda: Thalassinidea). Crustaceana Monographs 4: 1-285

Sakai, K. 2011. Axioidea of the world and a reconsideration of the Callianassoidea (Decapoda, Thalassinidea, Callianassida). Crustaceana Monographs 13: 1-616

History of changes

• Aqaballianassa Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [90].

  Type species:

   Callianassa aqabaensis Dworschak, 2003 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

History of changes

• Callianassa lewtonae Ngoc-Ho, N. 1994. Some Callianassidae and Upogebiidae from Australia with descriptions of four new species (Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 54: 51-78 [52 fig. 1].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV J22659 ovigerous ♀, reef front, Britomart Reef, QLD [18°17'S, 146°38'E].
  Paratype(s) NMV J22684 ♀, Pandora reef, reef flat, QLD.

Generic Combinations

• Trypaea lewtonae (Ngoc-Ho, 1994). —
  Sakai, K. 2011. Axioidea of the world and a reconsideration of the Callianassoidea (Decapoda, Thalassinidea, Callianassida). Crustaceana Monographs 13: 1-616
• Biffarius lewtonae (Ngoc-Ho, 1994).
• Aqaballianassa lewtonae (Ngoc-Ho, 1994). —
  Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [138]

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, coral reef, littoral, sand bottom.

General References

Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [91]

History of changes

• Arenallianassa Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [91].

  Type species:

   Callianassa arenosa Poore, 1975 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria

IMCRA

Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

History of changes

• Callianassa arenosa Poore, G.C.B. 1975. Systematics and distribution of Callianassa (Crustacea: Decapoda: Macrura) from Port Phillip Bay, Australia, with descriptions of two new species. Pacific Science 29(2): 197-209 8 figs [197 figs 1, 2].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV J271 ♀, eastern side, Port Phillip Bay, VIC.
  Paratype(s) NMV J273 10 specimens, Port Phillip Bay, VIC; NMV J272 1 specimen (allotype), Port Phillip Bay (eastern side) VIC.

Generic Combinations

• Arenallianassa arenosa (Poore, 1975). —
  Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [136]
• Biffarius arenosus (Poore, 1975).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Burrower, estuary, littoral, sand bottom, shallow sublittoral, silt bottom.

General References

Bird, F.L., Ford, P.W. & Hancock, G.J. 1999. Effect of burrowing macrobenthos on the flux of dissolved substances across the water-sediment interface. Marine and Freshwater Research 50: 523-532

Bird, F.L. & Poore, G.C.B. 1999. Functional burrow morphology of Biffarius arenosus (Decapoda: Callianassidae) from southern Australia. Marine Biology, Berlin 134: 77-87

Boon, P.I., Bird, F.L. & Bunn, S.E. 1997. Diet of the intertidal callianassid shrimps Biffarius arenosus and Trypaea australiensis (Decapoda: Thalassinidea) in Western Port (southern Australia), determined with mulyiple stable-isotope analyses. Marine and Freshwater Research 48(6): 503-511

Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [91]

History of changes

• Biffarius Manning, R.B. & Felder, D.L. 1991. Revision of the American Callianassidae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 104(4): 764-792 [769] [gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Callianassa biformis Biffar, 1971 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria

IMCRA

Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

General References

Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [91]

History of changes

• Callianassa limosa Poore, G.C.B. 1975. Systematics and distribution of Callianassa (Crustacea: Decapoda: Macrura) from Port Phillip Bay, Australia, with descriptions of two new species. Pacific Science 29(2): 197-209 8 figs [201 figs 4, 5].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV J274 ♀, central Port Phillip Bay, about 8 km off Dromana, VIC.
  Paratype(s) NMV J275 ♂ (as allotype); NMV J276 10 specimens, central Port Phillip Bay, VIC.

Generic Combinations

• Biffarius limosa (Poore, 1975).
• Notiax limosus (Poore, 1975). —
  Sakai, K. 2011. Axioidea of the world and a reconsideration of the Callianassoidea (Decapoda, Thalassinidea, Callianassida). Crustaceana Monographs 13: 1-616 [384]
• Callianassa limosus (Poore, 1975).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Ecological Descriptors

Burrower, continental shelf, sublittoral.

Extra Ecological Information

Muddy to clay substrates, low tide to 100 m depth.

General References

Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [91]

History of changes

• Caviallianassa Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [92].

  Type species:

   Cheramus cavifrons Komai & Fujiwara, 2012 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25)

History of changes

• Caviallianassa arafura Poore, G.C.B. 2023. New records, one new genus and 21 new species of Callianassidae (Crustacea, Axiidea) from the Indo-West Pacific. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 82: 167–255 [179].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM P.74542 ovigerous female, 3.5 mm, Australia, Northern Territory, Arafura Sea, 140 m [9° 20.94' S, 134° 3.43' E].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25)

History of changes

• Coriollianassa Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [93].

  Type species:

   Callianassa coriolisae Ngoc-Ho, 2014 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28)

History of changes

• Coriollianassa nyinggulu Poore, G.C.B. 2023. New records, one new genus and 21 new species of Callianassidae (Crustacea, Axiidea) from the Indo-West Pacific. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 82: 167–255 [192].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV J53455 male, 7.6 mm, Australia. WA, North West Shelf, off Ningaloo South, 201-206 m [22.079° S, 113.796° E,].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25), Central Western Shelf Transition (28)

History of changes

• Callianassa sibogae de Man, J.G. 1905. Diagnoses of new species of Macrurous decapod Crustacea from the `Siboga Expedition'. Tijdschrift der Nederlandsche Dierkundige Vereeniging 9(2): 587-614 [Date published 31/Aug/1905] [613].

  Type data:

   Lectotype ZMA De 102.439 ♂, off Djankar, Java Anchorage, Indonesia [07°46'S 114°30.5'E].

  Subsequent designation references:

  Sakai, K. 1999. Synopsis of the family Callianassidae, with keys to subfamilies, genera and species, and the description of new taxa (Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea). Zoologische Verhandelingen (Leiden) 326: 1-152 [52].

Generic Combinations

• Coriollianassa sibogae (de Man, 1905). —
  Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [140]
• Trypaea sibogae (de Man, 1905). —
  Sakai, K. 2011. Axioidea of the world and a reconsideration of the Callianassoidea (Decapoda, Thalassinidea, Callianassida). Crustaceana Monographs 13: 1-616
• Cheramus sibogae (de Man, 1905).

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indonesia.

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, continental slope.

Extra Ecological Information

From 134–330 m depth.

General References

Ngoc-Ho, N. 1994. Some Callianassidae and Upogebiidae from Australia with descriptions of four new species (Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 54: 51-78 [54]

History of changes

• Filhollianassa Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [93].

  Type species:

   Callianassa filholi Milne-Edwards, 1878 by original designation.

Distribution

States

South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

History of changes

• Callianassa ceramica Fulton, S.W. & Grant, F.E. 1906. Some little known Victorian decapod Crustacea, with descriptions of new species.—No. III. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 2 19(1): 5-15 pls 3-5 [12 pl. 5].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV J880 1 specimen, Western Port (reef near pier at Shoreham), VIC.
  Paratype(s) AM G5666; NMV; AM.

Generic Combinations

• Notiax ceramica (Fulton & Grant, 1906). —
  Sakai, K. 2011. Axioidea of the world and a reconsideration of the Callianassoidea (Decapoda, Thalassinidea, Callianassida). Crustaceana Monographs 13: 1-616 [383]
• Biffarius ceramica (Fulton & Grant, 1906).
• Filhollianassa ceramicus (Fulton & Grant, 1906). —
  Poore, G.C.B., Dworschak, P.C., Robles, R. Mantelatto, F.L. & Felder, D.L 2019. A new classification of Callianassidae and related families (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea) derived from a molecular phylogeny with morphological support. Memoirs of Museum Victoria 78: 73-146 [137]

Distribution

States

South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Ecological Descriptors

Burrower, littoral, sand bottom, sublittoral.

General References

Hale, H.M. 1927. The Crustaceans of South Australia. Eumalacostraca. Adelaide : Government Printer Vol. 1 201 pp., 202 figs. (illustration and description)

Sakai, K. 1999. Synopsis of the family Callianassidae, with keys to subfamilies, genera and species, and the description of new taxa (Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea). Zoologische Verhandelingen (Leiden) 326: 1-152 [41]

History of changes