Family DAIRIDAE Ng & Rodriguez, 1986

Daira-perlata [P. Davie (2002: 150)]

Museums

Regional Maps

• Dairidae Ng, P.K.L. & Rodriguez, G. 1986. New records of Mimilambrus wileyi Williams, 1973 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura), with notes on the systematics of the Mimilambridae Williams, 1979, and Parthenopidae Macleay, 1838, sensu Guinot, 1978. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 99(1): 88-99 [90, 97].
• Dairoida Serène, 1965 [unavailable name].

Introduction

The status of the two genera now placed in this family, Daira de Haan, 1833 and Dairoides Stebbing, 1920, has been a matter of some debate. Both were generally regarded as xanthoid but Sakai (1938, 1976) considered Dairoides to be placed more appropriately in the Parthenopidae. Guinot (1967) showed a close relationship between these two genera. Subsequently, Ng & Rodriguez (1986) decided that separate family status was warranted, particularly noting the significance of the long and whip-like flagellum of the second male gonopod. It now seems to be generally accepted that Daira and Dairoides have their affinities with the Parthenopoidea, although as Guinot & Bouchard (1998: 657) point out, the exact relationships still require clarification.

The sole Australian representative is Daira perlata (Herbst), a moderately common, very widespread species found on coral reefs.

Diagnosis

Carapace transversely oval or hexagonal; surface symmetrically and densely covered by prominent, rounded, tubercles in Daira, or perforate vesicular tubercles in Dairoides; regions more or less strongly defined and subdivided, separated by deep grooves in Daira; regions less well marked in Dairoides, but surface marked by some eroded grooves. Anterolateral margins arched, regularly tuberculate, but without obviously defined teeth in Daira, or with three teeth, the last being broad and projecting laterally. Rostrum more or less deflexed, either bilobed and rounded, or tridentate. Antennules folding obliquely. Basal article of antenna very short, not reaching inner edge of orbit. Chelipeds unequal; fingers either spoon-tipped or acute; surface with lobules or spines. Walking legs densely setose; merus crest-like, serrated or spinose; other segments with spines. Male abdomen 7-segmented. Male second gonopod long, with a long and whip-like flagellum; male openings coxal; female openings sternal.

General References

De Haan, W. 1833. Crustacea. i-xvii, i-xxxi, ix-xvi, 1-243 pls A-J, in Von Siebold, P.F. (ed.). Fauna Japonica sive Descriptio Animalium, quae in Itinere per Japoniam, Jussu et Auspiciis Superiorum, qui Summum in India Batava Imperium Tenent, Suscepto, Annis 1823–1830 Collegit, Notis, Observationibus et Adumbrationibus Illustravit. Leiden : Lugduni-Batavorum. [published from 1833–1850]

Guinot, D. 1967. Recherches préliminaires sur les groupements naturels chez les Crustacés Décapodes Brachyoures. III. A propos des affinités des genres Dairoides Stebbing et Daira de Haan. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 39(3): 540-563 figs 1-36

Guinot, D. & Bouchard, J.-M. 1998. Evolution of the abdominal holding systems of brachyuran crabs (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura). Zoosystematica Rossica 20(4): 613-694

Ng, P.K.L. & Rodriguez, G. 1986. New records of Mimilambrus wileyi Williams, 1973 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura), with notes on the systematics of the Mimilambridae Williams, 1979, and Parthenopidae Macleay, 1838, sensu Guinot, 1978. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 99(1): 88-99

Sakai, T. 1938. Brachygnatha, Oxyrhyncha. Studies on the Crabs of Japan 3. Tokyo : Yokendo pp. 193-364, text-figs 1-55 pls 1-22.

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.].

Stebbing, T.R.R. 1920. South African Crustacea, (Part X of S.A. Crustacea, for the Marine Investigations in South Africa). Annals of the South African Museum 17(4): 231-272 pls 18-27

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