Family HOMOLIDAE De Haan, 1839

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Family HOMOLIDAE De Haan, 1839

Compiler and date details

May 2012 - Peter Davie, Queensland Museum, Brisbane

Homolidae De Haan, W. 1839. Crustacea. 1-243 pls A-J, L-Q, 1-55, circ. tab. 2 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 : Lugundi-Batavorum. [published from 1833–1850] [102] [as Homolidea, corrected to Homolidae by White, A. 1847. List of the Specimens of Crustacea in the Collection of the British Museum. London : British Museum viii 143 pp. (55); Name No. 243 on Official List of Family-Group Names in Zoology, but there incorrectly attributed to White, 1847].
Secondary source:
White, A. 1847. List of the Specimens of Crustacea in the Collection of the British Museum. London : British Museum viii 143 pp. [Date published Apr/1847].
Thelxiopeidae Rathbun, M.J. 1937. The oxystomatous and allied crabs of America. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 166: i-vi, 1-278 pls 1-86 [62] [Name No. 278 on Official List of Family-Group Names in Zoology].
Latreillopsini Števčić, 2011 [recte Latreilliopsini].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

Manning, R.B. & Holthuis, L.B. 1981. West African Brachyuran Crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 306: i-xii, 1-379 figs 1-88, 2 appendices [25]

Introduction

Homolids are typically deep water benthic crabs, mostly occurring in depths greater than 200 metres. They have been given a general name of 'Deep-water Carrier Crabs' referring to the peculiar structure of the last pair of walking legs. These end in claws and are positioned more dorsally so as to carry pieces of sponge, which conceals them from predators. The most comprehensive modern reviews of the family are by Serène & Lohavanijaya (1973) and Guinot & Richer de Forges (1995).

Diagnosis

Carapace longer than broad, more or less rectangular; dorsal surface granular to spiny; linea anomurica (suture line) usually present, running laterally from posterior border of carapace to inner side of antennal spine. Eyes not retractile into orbits, nor antennules into sockets. Basal article of antennules subglobular. Eyestalks consist of two movable joints, a slender conspicuous basal joint and a stout terminal joint that carries the eye; basal joint only slightly longer than terminal joint. Antennal flagella much longer than carapace. Inter-antennular septum forming a distinct vertical process. Front narrow; prominent slender triangular rostrum may be bifid at tip, often with a spine on either side at base giving tridentate appearance. Division between epistome and palate distinct, palate shallowly vaulted. Third maxillipeds pediform or suboperculiform. Chelipeds and legs long and slender. Epipodites present on chelipeds and first two pairs of walking legs. Last pair of legs reduced in size, placed obliquely on carapace and directed upwards, subchelate to chelate, modified to carry sponges. Sternum of female broad. Abdomen of male, and usually of female, consists of seven separate segments; female may have fifth and sixth segments fused but suture lines still apparent. Gills phyllobranchiate; 13–14 on either side. (Modified after Alcock 1899; Sakai 1976).