Family MACROPHTHALMIDAE Dana, 1851

Macrophthalmus (Venitus) latreillei [from A. Milne Edwards 1873: pl. 12 fig. 3]

Museums

Regional Maps

• Macrophthalmidae Dana, J.D. 1851. Crustacea Grapsoidea, (Cyclometopa, Edwardsii): Conspectus Crustacearum quae in Orbis Terrarum circumnavigatione, Carolo Wilkes e classe Reipublicae Foederatae Duce, lexit et descriptsit J.D. Dana. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 5: 247-254.

  Type genus:

   Macrophthalmus Desmarest, 1823.

Introduction

A key to the genera of the family was given by Barnes (2010), and a revision of Australian Macrophthalmus and related genera was recently provided by Davie (2012).

Diagnosis

Carapace usually markedly broader than long, quadrilateral, more or less flattened; dorsal surface with regions usually well defined; anterolateral margins either straight or slightly arched, usually armed with one to several teeth, but may be entire. Front variable but never very broad. Interantennular septum very narrow. Antennules folding transversely or slightly obliquely; flagellum well developed. Eye stalks usually elongate, often remarkably long. Third maxilliped typically more-or-less closing buccal cavern, but may be widely gaping (Lutogemma); exopod visible, moderately broad, flagellum well developed. Chelipeds subequal, chelae usually distinctly larger in males; dactylus of males often with subproximal tooth; chelae of females weaker, more slender. No brush of long setae edging pouch at base of pereiopods.Male thoracic sternum broad posteriorly.Male genital openings sternal. Free-living, intertidal to shallow subtidal, usually in estuaries or mangroves but may extend into sandier coastal waters; mostly inhabiting burrows.

Diagnosis References

Davie, P. J. F. 2009. A new genus and species of Macrophthalmidae (Brachyura, Ocypodoidea) from the Northern Territory, Australia. Crustaceana 82(7): 815-827 [816-817]

General References

Barnes, R.S.K. 2010. A review of the sentinel crabs (Crustaceaa: Brachyura: Macrophthalmidae), with particular reference to the genus Macrophthalmus. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 58(1): 31–49

Davie, P.J.F. 2012. A review of Macrophthalmus sensu lato (Crustacea: Decapoda:Macrophthalmidae) from Australia, including two new species and new records. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 56(1): 149-219

History of changes