Subfamily Majinae Samouelle, 1819

Prismatopus longispinus [from Miers 1886: pl. 7 fig. 3]

Museums

Regional Maps

• Majidae Samouelle, G. 1819. The Entomologist's Useful Compendium; or an introduction to the knowledge of British Insects, comprising the best means of obtaining and preserving them, and a description of the apparatus generally used; together with the genera of Linné, and modern methods of arranging the Classes Crustacea, Myriapoda, spiders, mites and insects, from the affinities and structure, according to the views of Dr. Leach. Also an explanation of the terms used in entomology; a calendar of the times of appearance and usual situations of near 3,000 species of British Insects; with instructions for collecting and fitting up objects for the microscope. London : Thomas Boys 496 pp. 12 pls. [88] [as Maiadae, corrected to Majidae by Neumann, R. 1878. Systematische Uebersicht der Gattungen der Oxyrhynchen: Catalog der podophthalmen Crustaceen des Heidelberger Museums. Beschreibung einiger neuer Arten. Leipzig. 39 pp. (5)].

  Secondary source:

   Neumann, R. 1878. Systematische Uebersicht der Gattungen der Oxyrhynchen: Catalog der podophthalmen Crustaceen des Heidelberger Museums. Beschreibung einiger neuer Arten. Leipzig. 39 pp.
• Maiadae Samouelle, 1819.
• Cyclacinae Dana, J.D. 1851. On the classification of the maioid Crustacea or Oxyrhyncha. American Journal of Science and Arts 2 11: 425-434 [431].
• Prionorhynchinae Dana, J.D. 1851. On the classification of the maioid Crustacea or Oxyrhyncha. American Journal of Science and Arts 2 11: 425-434 [429].
• Naxiinae Stimpson, W. 1871. Preliminary report on the Crustacea dredged in the Gulf Stream in the Straits of Florida, by L.F. de Pourtales, Assist. U.S. Coast Survey. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 2: 109-160 [114].
• Eurynominae Neumann, R. 1878. Systematische Uebersicht der Gattungen der Oxyrhynchen: Catalog der podophthalmen Crustaceen des Heidelberger Museums. Beschreibung einiger neuer Arten. Leipzig. 39 pp. [17].
• Schizophrysinae Miers, E.J. 1879. On the classification of the Maioid Crustacea of Oxyrhyncha, with a synopsis of the families, sub-families and genera. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology 14: 634-673 pls 12-13 [659].
• Mamaiidae Stebbing, T.R.R. 1905. South African Crustacea, Pt III. Marine Investigations in South Africa IV: 21-123 pls 17-24 [22].

Introduction

This subfamily has diversified extensively in the Indo-west Pacific with more than 20 genera and over 70 species; only about five genera and very few species occur outside this region. It is particularly well represented in Australian waters with 20 genera and some 47 species. A review of the current status of the Majinae and a key to Indo-west Pacific genera was provided by Griffin & Tranter (1986: 199–200).

Diagnosis

Eyes with nearly complete, or complete, orbits formed by a supra-orbital eave (the postero-external angle of which is often produced as a spine), usually followed by an intercalated spine, and a postorbital lobe. Basal antennal article moderately to very broad, but not specially expanded to form a floor to the orbit, and often armed with a strong spine at anterior angles. Male first gonopod slender, weakly curved; aperture usually subterminal and usually protected by lobes or flaps; apex typically slender and simple. (After Griffin & Tranter 1986).

General References

Griffin, D.J.G. & Tranter, H. 1986. The Decapoda Brachyura of the Siboga Expedition. Part VIII. Majidae. Siboga Expéditie Monographie 39(c4): 1-335, 112 text-figs 22 pls

History of changes