History of changes

• Cryptochiridae Paul'son, O.M. 1875. Podophthalmata i Edriophthalmata (Cumacea) Part I. In, Izledovaniya Rakoobraznykh Krasnago Morya s Zamekami Otnositel'no Rakoobraznykh Drugikhv Morie. Kiev : Kul'zhenko. i-xiv 1-144 pp. pls 1-21 [reissued and translated by F.D. Por, 1961: Studies on Crustacea of the Red Sea with notes regarding other seas. Part I. Podophthalmata and Edriophthalmata (Cumacea). Jerusalem: Israel Program for Scientific Translations; published for the National Science Foundation and Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.: pp. 1–134, pls 1–21].
• Lithoscaptidae Richters, F. 1880. Decapoda. In, Möbius, K.A. Beiträge zur Meeresfauna der Insel Mauritius und der Seychellen, bearbeitet von K. Möbius, F. Richters und E. von Martens. Berlin. 137-178 pls 15-18.
• Haplocarcinidae Calman, W.T. 1900. On a Collection of Brachyura from Torres Straits. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 8(Zool. 1): 1-50 pls 1-3 [3, 49].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Kropp, R.K. & Manning, R.B. 1985. Cryptochiridae, the correct name for the family containing the Gall Crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 98(4): 954-955 [954]

Introduction

The Coral Gall Crabs, family Cryptochiridae, are all obligate associates of living scleractinian corals, making galls, tunnels, or pits in the coral, and feeding on the host mucus and tissues (Kropp 1990). This family was long referred to as the Hapalocarcinidae Calman, 1900, but Kropp & Manning (1985) showed that the correct name is Cryptochiridae Paulson, 1875.

Although known worldwide, most genera are found in the Indo-West Pacic Oceans, with the Western Pacific region apparently the main centre of diversification. The most recent revision is that of Kropp (1990).

Diagnosis

Carapace narrow and more or less oblong, or semi-cylindrical, not much narrowed anteriorly. Front usually subtruncate or emarginate without a central tooth. Mandibular palp absent, cutting edge of mandible lacking processes. Maxilla 2 reduced to finger-like, undivided protopod. Maxilla 1 consisting of undivided protopod and exopod. Third maxillipeds separated at base by a sternal lobe; ischium broad, often with a convex inner lobe; merus small, much narrower than ischium, seated well back, with palp articulating in a notch at inner edge; exopod reduced and lacking flagellum, or absent. Epistome feebly developed; buccal area large and arched anteriorly. Lower border of orbit little developed. Antennae small, and not placed within the orbit. Antennules with a large prominent basal article. Chelipeds feeble, often little or no larger than first walking legs. Chelae simple with acute tips. Walking legs short, with short, sharp, hooked dactyli. Gills absent from walking legs 4 and 5. Adult female larger than male, with three pairs of pleopods occurring on abdominal somites 2–4, pleopod 4 uniramous. Female with posterior abdomen greatly expanded to form egg brood chamber, visible in dorsal view. (After Sakai 1976; Kropp & Manning 1987).

General References

Kropp, R.K. 1990. Revision of the genera of Gall Crabs (Crustacea: Cryptochiridae) occurring in the Pacific Ocean. Pacific Science 44(4): 417-448

Kropp, R.K. & Manning, R.B. 1985. Cryptochiridae, the correct name for the family containing the Gall Crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 98(4): 954-955

Kropp, R.K. & Manning, R.B. 1987. The Atlantic gall crabs, Family Cryptochiridae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 462: iii 21 pp.

Sakai, T. 1976. Crabs of Japan and the Adjacent Seas. Tokyo : Kodansha 3 vols xxix 773 pp. [English vol.]; 1–16, 251 pls [Plates vol.]; 461 pp. [Japanese vol.].

History of changes

• Cryptochirus Heller, C. 1861. Synopsis der im rothen Meere vorkommenden Crustaceen. Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien 11: 3-32 [19] [gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Cryptochirus coralliodytes Heller, 1861 by monotypy.
• Favicola Fize, A. & Serène, R. 1957. Les hapalocarcinidés du Viet-Nam. Archives du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris 7 5: 1-202 figs 1-43 pls 1-18 [84] [gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Cryptochirus rugosus Edmondson, 1933 by subsequent designation, see Serène, R. 1966. Note sur la taxonomie et la distribution géographique des Haplalocarcinidae (Decapoda-Brachyura). Proceedings of the Symposium on Crustacea held at Ernakulam, 12–15 Jan 1965. Marine Biological Association of India. Part I. 395-398 pp. [396].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Kropp, R.K. 1988. The status of Cryptochirus coralliodytes Heller and Lithoscaptus paradoxus Milne Edwards (Brachyura: Cryptochiridae). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 101(4): 872-882 [873]

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific Oceans.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Cryptochirus coralliodytes Heller, C. 1861. Synopsis der im rothen Meere vorkommenden Crustaceen. Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien 11: 3-32 [19].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NHMW ♀, Red Sea.
  Paralectotype(s) MNHP 198-63 ♂, Red Sea.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Kropp, R.K. 1988. The status of Cryptochirus coralliodytes Heller and Lithoscaptus paradoxus Milne Edwards (Brachyura: Cryptochiridae). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 101(4): 872-882 [874].
• Cryptochirus rugosus Edmondson, C.H. 1933. Cryptochirus of the central Pacific. Occasional Papers of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum 10(5): 3-23 figs 1-6 pls 1-4 [6].

  Type data:

   Holotype BPBM S3668 ♀, Line Islands, Teraina [Washington Island].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Kropp, R.K. 1988. The status of Cryptochirus coralliodytes Heller and Lithoscaptus paradoxus Milne Edwards (Brachyura: Cryptochiridae). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 101(4): 872-882 [874]

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific Oceans.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, commensal, coral reef, subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Found on the surface of massive coral, family Faviidae.

History of changes

• Fizesereneia Takeda, M. & Tamura, Y. 1980. Coral-inhabiting Crabs of the family Hapalocarcinidae from Japan III. New Genus Fizesereneia. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Tokyo 6(3): 137-146 [137] [gender feminine].

  Type species:

   Troglocarcinus heimi Fize & Serene, 1955 by subsequent designation, see Kropp, R.K. 1988. Case 2636. Fizesereneia Takeda and Tamura, 1980 (Crustacea, Decapoda): Proposed confirmation of Troglocarcinus heimi Fize & Serene, 1956 as type species. Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 45: 262-263.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

East Indo-west Pacific Oceans.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Troglocarcinus heimi Serène, R. & Fize, A. 1955. Note préliminaire sur huit espèces nouvelles, dont une d'un genre nouveau d'Hapalocarcinidae. Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France 80(5–6): 375-378 figs 1-2 [377].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, Nhatrang, Vietnam.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Eastern Indo-west Pacific (Indonesia, Vietnam).

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, commensal, coral reef, subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Host corals Lobophyllia and Symphyllia, depth 5–15 m.

General References

McNeill, F.A. 1968. Crustacea, Decapoda & Stomatopoda. Scientific Reports of the Great Barrier Reef Expedition 1928-1929 7(1): 1-98 pls 1-2 [87] (first Australian record)

Takeda, M. & Tamura, Y. 1980. Coral-inhabiting Crabs of the family Hapalocarcinidae from Japan III. New Genus Fizesereneia. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Tokyo 6(3): 137-146 [138]

History of changes

• Hapalocarcinus Stimpson, W. 1859. Crustacea. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History 6: 412-413 [412].

  Type species:

   Hapalocarcinus marsupialis Stimpson, 1859 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-Pacific Oceans.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Hapalocarcinus marsupialis Stimpson, W. 1859. Crustacea. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History 6: 412-413 [412].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, (presumed lost), Hilo, Hawai'i.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific Oceans.

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, commensal, coral reef, subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Females form gall on the branches on certain branching corals females encapsulated in galls, dwarf males.

History of changes

• Opecarcinus Kropp, R.K. & Manning, R.B. 1987. The Atlantic gall crabs, Family Cryptochiridae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 462: iii 21 pp. [9] [gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Pseudocryptochirus hypostegus Shaw & Hopkins, 1977 by original designation.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Vietnam and Japan to west coast of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.

IMCRA

Christmas Island Province (23)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Cryptochirus granulatus Shen, C.-J. 1936. Notes on the family Haplocarcinidae (Coral-Infesting Crabs) with descriptions of two new species. Hong Kong Naturalist Supplement 5: 21-26 pls 1, 2 [23 pl. 2].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1911.8.15.2 ♂, Christmas Island.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

East Indian Ocean.

IMCRA

Christmas Island Province (23)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, commensal, coral reef, subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Commensal in coral.

General References

Kropp, R.K. 1990. Revision of the genera of Gall Crabs (Crustacea: Cryptochiridae) occurring in the Pacific Ocean. Pacific Science 44(4): 417-448 [435]

History of changes