• Nephropinae Dana, J.D. 1852. Conspectus Crustaceorum quae in Orbis Terrarum circumnavigatione, Carolo Wilkes e classe Reipublicae Foederatae Duce, lexit et descripsit. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 6: 10-28 [15].
• Homaridae Huxley, T.H. 1879. On the classification and the distribution of the crayfishes. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1878: 752-788.
• Neophoberinae Glaessner, M.F. 1969. Decapoda. pp. R399-R533, R626-R628 in Moore, R.C. (ed.). Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Part R. Arthropoda 4 Crustacea (except Ostracoda) Myriapoda — Hexapoda. Laurence, Kansas : The University of Kansas and The Geological Society of America, Inc. Vol. 2 pp. R399-R651. [R459].
• Thymopinae Holthuis, L.B. 1974. The lobsters of the superfamily Nephropidea of the Atlantic Ocean (Crustacea: Decapoda). Bulletin of Marine Science, University Miami 24(4): 723-884 [753].
• Phoberinae Mertin, H. 1941. Decapode Krebse aus dem subhercynen und Braunschweiger Emscher und Untersenon sowie Bemerkungen über einige verwandte Formen in der Oberkreide. Nova Acta Leopoldina n. ser. 10(68): 1-215.
• Thaumastochelidae Spence Bate, C. 1888. Report on the Crustacea Macrura collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–76. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 24: 1-942, i-xc figs 1-76 pls 1-150 [7, 11, 46].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Holthuis, L.B. 1991. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 13. Marine lobsters of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, 13: i-viii, 1-292 [26]

Introduction

Nephropids are deep water lobsters found in depths from 150–1893 metres. Three genera are represented in Australian waters: Acanthacaris Bate (Neophoberinae), Metanephrops Jenkins (Nephropinae), and Nephropsis Wood-Mason (Thymopinae). The species of Metanephrops are collectively known as 'Scampi' and are of some commercial interest, although generally not taken in the quantities that make the Northern Hemisphere Scampi (Nephrops species) so important to fisheries. Jenkins (1972) was the first to recognise that the Southern Hemisphere 'Nephrops' were generically distinct. Other important references dealing with the Australian fauna include: Bruce (1966), Chan & Yu (1991), Chan (1998) Griffin & Stoddart (1987) and Holthuis (1991).

Diagnosis

Moderate to large lobsters. Body tubular, surface almost naked or covered with thick fur. Carapace with well-developed rostrum, ornamented with spines or nodules, occasionally smooth. Eyes usually well developed and black, or small and lacking pigmentation, or even absent. Antennae very long and thread-like; antennal scale, if present, with inner margin unarmed and curved. Pereiopods 1–3 chelate, first pair forming long, robust claws. Sternal plate between fifth pereiopods fused with that between fourth pair; podobranchiae of first three pereiopods with discrete branchial and epipoditic parts; first pleopod of male without individual sperm conduit. Abdomen and tailfan well developed and robust; abdomen smooth or variously sculptured, pleura ending in acute ventral tooth; tailfan entirely calcified; telson with fixed spines, posterior margin broadly convex. (Modified after Chan 1998).

General References

Bruce, A.J. 1966. Nephrops australiensis sp. nov., a new species of lobster from northern Australia (Decapoda Reptantia). Crustaceana 10: 245-258 pls 25-27

Chan, T.-Y. 1998. Lobsters. pp. 973-1043 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 2 687-1396 pp.

Chan, T.-Y. & Yu, H.P. 1991. Studies on the Metanephrops japonicus group (Decapoda, Nephropidae), with descriptions of two new species. Crustaceana 60(1): 18-51, text-figs 1-3 pls 1-9

Griffin, D.J.G. & Stoddart, H.E. 1995. Deep-water decapod Crustacea from eastern Australia: lobsters of the families Nephropidae, Palinuridae, Polychelidae and Scyllaridae. Records of the Australian Museum 47(3): 231-263 [Date published 1 December 1995]

Holthuis, L.B. 1991. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 13. Marine lobsters of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, 13: i-viii, 1-292

Jenkins, R.J.F. 1972. Metanephrops, a new genus of late Pliocene to recent lobsters (Decapoda, Nephropidae). Crustaceana 22(2): 161-177 2 pls

History of changes

• Acanthacaris Spence Bate, C. 1888. Report on the Crustacea Macrura collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–76. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 24: 1-942, i-xc figs 1-76 pls 1-150 [171, 929] [gender feminine].

  Type species:

   Acanthacaris tenuimana Bate, 1888 by monotypy.
• Phoberus Milne Edwards, A. 1881. Description de quelques Crustacés macroures provenant des grandes profondeurs de la mer des Antilles. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Paris Zool. (6) 11(4): 1-16 [1] [junior homonym of Phoberus MacLeay, 1818; gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Phoberus caecus A. Milne Edwards, 1881 by monotypy.
• Neophoberas Glaessner, M.F. 1969. Decapoda. pp. R399-R533, R626-R628 in Moore, R.C. (ed.). Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Part R. Arthropoda 4 Crustacea (except Ostracoda) Myriapoda — Hexapoda. Laurence, Kansas : The University of Kansas and The Geological Society of America, Inc. Vol. 2 pp. R399-R651. [R460] [nom. nov. for Phoberas A. Milne Edwards, 1881; gender masculine].

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific Oceans, West Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Straits of Florida).

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • 200 mile fishing zone: NE oceanic, SE oceanic
  • Queensland: SE oceanic

History of changes

• Acanthacaris tenuimana Spence Bate, C. 1888. Report on the Crustacea Macrura collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–76. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 24: 1-942, i-xc figs 1-76 pls 1-150 [171, 929 pl. 21].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 88.22, south of New Guinea (Challenger Stn 191) [5°41'S 134°4'30"E].
• Phoberas caecus sublevis Wood-Mason, J. in Wood-Mason, J. & Alcock, A. 1891. Natural History notes from H. M. Indian Marine Survey Steamer `Investigator', Commander R. F. Hoskyn, R.N., commanding. No 21. Note on the results of the last season's deep-sea dredging. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 6 7: 1-19, 186-202, 258-272.

  Type data:

   Holotype ZSI, Laccadive Sea, off Goa coast, India (Investigator Stn 105) [15°02'N 72°34'E].
• Acanthacaris opipara Burukovsky, R.N. & Musij, Y.I. 1976. [Acanthacaris opipara Burukovsky & Musij, sp. n., a new abyssal lobster (Crustacea, Decapoda, Neophoberinae)]. Zoologicheskii Zhurnal 55(12): 1811-1815 [in Russian] [1811 figs 1, 2].

  Type data:

   Holotype whereabouts unknown, South-west part of Indian Ocean near Durban [29°57'6"–29°52'5"S 31°46'2"–31°52'5"E].
• Phoberus brevirostris Tung,Y.-m., Wang, B.-y & Li, Z.-c 1985. A new species of Nephropsidea from the deep water of East China Sea (Crustacea, Decapoda). Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica 10(4): 379-380 [in Chinese, English summary] [379, 380].

  Type data:

   Holotype DFRIS 81015 ♂, East China Sea [29°00'30"S 127°30'E].
  Paratype(s) BDHU 81016 ♂, East China Sea; BDHU 81006 ♂, East China Sea.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Holthuis, L.B. 1991. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 13. Marine lobsters of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, 13: i-viii, 1-292 [28]

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific (East Africa to Japan, Philippines and New Caledonia).

IMCRA

Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental rise, continental slope, mud bottom, oceanic province.

Extra Ecological Information

From 600–2161 m depth.

General References

Griffin, D.J.G. & Stoddart, H.E. 1995. Deep-water decapod Crustacea from eastern Australia: lobsters of the families Nephropidae, Palinuridae, Polychelidae and Scyllaridae. Records of the Australian Museum 47(3): 231-263 [Date published 1 December 1995] [232]

History of changes

• Metanephrops Jenkins, R.J.F. 1972. Metanephrops, a new genus of late Pliocene to recent lobsters (Decapoda, Nephropidae). Crustaceana 22(2): 161-177 2 pls [162] [gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Nephrops japonicus Tapparone-Canefri, 1873 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Tropical western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N coast
  • Queensland: NE coast, NE oceanic
  • South Australia: Great Australian Bight, S Gulfs coast, S oceanic
  • Western Australia: Central W coast, Lower W coast, NW coast, NW oceanic, S oceanic, SW coast, W oceanic

Distribution References

General References

Chan, T.-Y. 1997. Crustacea Decapoda: Palinuridae, Scyllaridae and Nephropidae collected in Indonesia by the KARUBAR Cruise, with an identification key for the species of Metanephrops. pp. 409-431 in Crosnier, A. & Bouchet, P. Résultats des Campagnes MUSORSTOM, Volume 16. Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris [1936-1950] 172: 1-667 [422] (key to species, discussion of species relationships, and depth and geographical distributions compared)

History of changes

• Nephrops australiensis Bruce, A.J. 1966. Nephrops australiensis sp. nov., a new species of lobster from northern Australia (Decapoda Reptantia). Crustaceana 10: 245-258 pls 25-27 [245 pls 25-27].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM 11-64 ♂, NE of Port Hedland, N WA.
  Paratype(s) WAM 12-64 ♀ (as allotype); WAM 16-64 ♀ (now RMNH D21151); WAM 17-64 ♀ (now BMNH 1964.9.28.14); RMNH D21152 1♀, NE of Port Hedland, N WA.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indonesia, Philippines.

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Western Australia: NW oceanic

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental slope, oceanic province.

Trade

food

Extra Ecological Information

Firm sediment, on a bottom of Globigerina ooze probably in burrows, depth 390 to 500 m, mainly 440–460 m.

General References

Chan, T.-Y. 1997. Crustacea Decapoda: Palinuridae, Scyllaridae and Nephropidae collected in Indonesia by the KARUBAR Cruise, with an identification key for the species of Metanephrops. pp. 409-431 in Crosnier, A. & Bouchet, P. Résultats des Campagnes MUSORSTOM, Volume 16. Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris [1936-1950] 172: 1-667 [418] (range extension and discussion on variation)

Holthuis, L.B. 1991. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 13. Marine lobsters of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, 13: i-viii, 1-292 [65, 68]

Wadley, V. & Evans, D. 1991. Crustaceans from the Deepwater Trawl Fisheries of Western Australia. Hobart, Australia : CSIRO Division of Fisheries 44 pp. [33]

Wassenberg, T.J. &Hill, B.J. 1989. Diets of four decapod crustaceans (Linupurus trigonus, Metanephrops andamanicus, M. australiensis and M. boschmai) from the continental shelf around Australia. Marine Biology, Berlin 103: 161-167

History of changes

• Nephrops boschmai Holthuis, L.B. 1964. On some species of the genus Nephrops (Crustacea Decapoda). Zoologische Mededelingen (Leiden) 39: 71-78 fig. 1 [72 fig. 1].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM E3673 ♂, Great Australian Bight, SW of Eucla, WA.
  Paratype(s) AM E39941 ♀ (as allotype, re-registered); AM E3657 3♂; AM E3671 1 specimen; AM E3682 1 specimen; AM E6254 1 specimen; AM E6257 1 specimen; RMNH D15461 5 specimens, Great Australian Bight, S by E of Eucla, WA; RMNH D15462 1 specimen, Great Australian Bight, S by W of Eucla, WA; USNM.

Distribution

States

South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • South Australia: Great Australian Bight, S oceanic
  • Western Australia: NW oceanic, S oceanic, W oceanic

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental slope, sand bottom.

Trade

food

Extra Ecological Information

Or mud and rubble, probably in burrows, depth from 260 to 460 m, mainly 300–320 m.

General References

Holthuis, L.B. 1991. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 13. Marine lobsters of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, 13: i-viii, 1-292 [65, 71]

Wadley, V. & Evans, D. 1991. Crustaceans from the Deepwater Trawl Fisheries of Western Australia. Hobart, Australia : CSIRO Division of Fisheries 44 pp. [34]

Wassenberg, T.J. &Hill, B.J. 1989. Diets of four decapod crustaceans (Linupurus trigonus, Metanephrops andamanicus, M. australiensis and M. boschmai) from the continental shelf around Australia. Marine Biology, Berlin 103: 161-167

History of changes

• Nephrops neptunus Bruce, A.J. 1965. A new species of Nephrops (Decapoda, Reptantia) from the South China Sea. Crustaceana 9: 274-284 pls 13-15 [274 pls 13-15].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1964.9.28.1 ♀, 'Cape St Mary', South China Sea, S of Hong Kong.
  Paratype(s) RMNH D21152 ♂ (as allotype), South China Sea.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indonesia, South China Sea, Philippines.

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Western Australia: NW oceanic

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, burrower, continental slope, oceanic province.

Trade

food

Extra Ecological Information

Soft muddy substrate, depth 238–940 m.

General References

Holthuis, L.B. 1991. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 13. Marine lobsters of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, 13: i-viii, 1-292 [65, 76]

Wadley, V. & Evans, D. 1991. Crustaceans from the Deepwater Trawl Fisheries of Western Australia. Hobart, Australia : CSIRO Division of Fisheries 44 pp. [35]

History of changes

• Nephrops sibogae de Man, J.G. 1916. Families Eryonidae, Palinuridae, Scyllaridae and Nephropsidae. The Decapoda of the Siboga Expedition. Part III. Siboga-Expéditie Report 39(A2): 1-122 pls 1-4 [102 pl. 4 fig. 18].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) ZMA De 104.197 5♂ 4♀, near the Kai [Kei] Islands, Indonesia [5°40'S 132°26'E].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indonesia.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N coast
  • Queensland: NE oceanic
  • Western Australia: NW oceanic

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental slope, oceanic province.

Trade

food

Extra Ecological Information

Bottom of soft sediments, probably in burrows, depth 260–480 m.

General References

Griffin, D.J.G. & Stoddart, H.E. 1995. Deep-water decapod Crustacea from eastern Australia: lobsters of the families Nephropidae, Palinuridae, Polychelidae and Scyllaridae. Records of the Australian Museum 47(3): 231-263 [Date published 1 December 1995] [232]

Holthuis, L.B. 1991. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 13. Marine lobsters of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, 13: i-viii, 1-292 [65, 79]

Wadley, V. & Evans, D. 1991. Crustaceans from the Deepwater Trawl Fisheries of Western Australia. Hobart, Australia : CSIRO Division of Fisheries 44 pp. [36]

History of changes

• Metanephrops velutinus Chan, T.-Y. & Yu, H.P. 1991. Studies on the Metanephrops japonicus group (Decapoda, Nephropidae), with descriptions of two new species. Crustaceana 60(1): 18-51, text-figs 1-3 pls 1-9 [35 pls 2b, 4b, 6c, 8a].

  Type data:

   Holotype NTOU PM1 ♂, Philippines.
  Paratype(s) MNHP; RMNH D15458 5 specimens, Great Australian Bight, S by W of Eucla, WA; USNM; WAM; RMNH D25689 ♂, off Caribbean coast of Nicaragua.

Distribution

States

Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Philippines, Indonesia.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Queensland: NE oceanic
  • South Australia: Great Australian Bight
  • Western Australia: NW oceanic, S oceanic, W oceanic

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental slope, oceanic province.

Trade

food

Extra Ecological Information

Substrate hard mud, probably in burrows, depth 238 to 702 m, most common 350 to 450 m.

General References

Davie, P. 2002. Crustacea: Malacostraca: Phyllocarida, Hoplocarida, Eucarida (Part 1). In Wells, A. & Houston, W.W.K. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 19.3A. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing, Australia xii 551 pp. [390] (previously, this species was misidentified as M. andamanicus)

Griffin, D.J.G. & Stoddart, H.E. 1995. Deep-water decapod Crustacea from eastern Australia: lobsters of the families Nephropidae, Palinuridae, Polychelidae and Scyllaridae. Records of the Australian Museum 47(3): 231-263 [Date published 1 December 1995] [233]

Wadley, V. & Evans, D. 1991. Crustaceans from the Deepwater Trawl Fisheries of Western Australia. Hobart, Australia : CSIRO Division of Fisheries 44 pp. [37]

Wassenberg, T.J. &Hill, B.J. 1989. Diets of four decapod crustaceans (Linupurus trigonus, Metanephrops andamanicus, M. australiensis and M. boschmai) from the continental shelf around Australia. Marine Biology, Berlin 103: 161-167 (as M. andamanicus)

History of changes

• Nephropsis Wood-Mason, J. 1873. On Nephropsis stewarti a new genus and species of Macrurous Crustaceans dredged in deep water off the eastern coast of the Andaman Islands. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 12(4): 59-64 [60] [name placed on the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology, see International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1959. Opinion 559. Determination of the gender to be attributed to six generic names in the Class Crustacea (Order Decapoda) and addition of the names concerned to the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology. Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 20: 283–292; gender feminine].

  Type species:

   Nephropsis stewarti Wood-Mason, 1873 by monotypy.

  Secondary source:

   International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1959. Opinion 559. Determination of the gender to be attributed to six generic names in the Class Crustacea (Order Decapoda) and addition of the names concerned to the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology. Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 20: 283-292.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: SE oceanic
  • Queensland: Great Barrier Reef, NE coast, NE oceanic, SE oceanic
  • Western Australia: Central W coast, Lower W coast, N coast, NW coast, NW oceanic, W oceanic

Distribution References

General References

Macpherson, E. 1993. New records for the genus Nephropsis Wood-Mason (Crustacea, Decapoda, Nephropidae) from Northern Australia, with the description of two new species. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 10(1): 55-66 [64] (key to Australian species)

History of changes

• Nephropsis acanthura Macpherson, E. 1990. Crustacea Decapoda: On a collection of Nephropidae from the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific. pp. 289-329 figs 1-17 in Crosnier, A. Résultats des Campagnes MUSORSTOM, Volume 6. Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris [1936-1950] 145(A): 1-388 [311 figs 5d, 9d-f, 11a].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP AS546 ♂, Philippines.
  Paratype(s) MNHP AS514 ♀ (as allotype); MNHP AS510–513; MNHP AS515–517.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific Oceans (Madagascar, Indonesia, Philippines, Coral Sea).

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: SE oceanic
  • Queensland: NE oceanic
  • Western Australia: NW oceanic

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental rise, continental slope, oceanic province.

Extra Ecological Information

Depths 750–1305 m.

General References

Griffin, D.J.G. & Stoddart, H.E. 1995. Deep-water decapod Crustacea from eastern Australia: lobsters of the families Nephropidae, Palinuridae, Polychelidae and Scyllaridae. Records of the Australian Museum 47(3): 231-263 [Date published 1 December 1995] [234]

History of changes

• Nephropsis grandis Zarenkov, N.A. 2006. Nephropid lobsters from the Indian Ocean with descriptions of four new species (Crustacea: Decapoda: Nephropidae). Senckenbergiana Maritima 36: 83-98 [Date published 4/2006].

  Type data:

   Neotype MNHNP MNHN-IU-2017-9001 ♂ (405–399 m Collected on 31 Oct 1991), Indonesia, Tanimbar Islands, Arafura Sea [08°20'S, 132°11'E].

  Subsequent designation references:

  Chang,S.C., Chan,T.Y. & Kumar,A.B. 2020. Deep-sea clawed lobster Nephropsis stewarti Wood-Mason, 1872 species complex in the Indo-West Pacific (Crustacea, Decapoda, Nephropidae), with description of a new species. ZooKeys 1008: 37-60 [Date published 31/12/2020] [46].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Northwest Shelf, WA

IMCRA

Northwest Transition (3)

History of changes

• Nephropsis holthuisi Macpherson, E. 1993. New records for the genus Nephropsis Wood-Mason (Crustacea, Decapoda, Nephropidae) from Northern Australia, with the description of two new species. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 10(1): 55-66 [55 figs 1-3].

  Type data:

   Holotype NTM Cr.007044 ♂, Indian Ocean, W of Ashmore Reef, WA.
  Paratype(s) NTM Cr.007043.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Off Ashmore Reef (WA), Indonesia.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: SE oceanic
  • Western Australia: NW oceanic

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental rise, continental slope, oceanic province.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 900–1105 m.

General References

Chan, T.-Y. 1997. Crustacea Decapoda: Palinuridae, Scyllaridae and Nephropidae collected in Indonesia by the KARUBAR Cruise, with an identification key for the species of Metanephrops. pp. 409-431 in Crosnier, A. & Bouchet, P. Résultats des Campagnes MUSORSTOM, Volume 16. Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris [1936-1950] 172: 1-667

Griffin, D.J.G. & Stoddart, H.E. 1995. Deep-water decapod Crustacea from eastern Australia: lobsters of the families Nephropidae, Palinuridae, Polychelidae and Scyllaridae. Records of the Australian Museum 47(3): 231-263 [Date published 1 December 1995] [234]

History of changes

• Nephropsis serrata Macpherson, E. 1993. New records for the genus Nephropsis Wood-Mason (Crustacea, Decapoda, Nephropidae) from Northern Australia, with the description of two new species. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 10(1): 55-66 [59 figs 4-6].

  Type data:

   Holotype NTM Cr.008762 ♂, North-west Shelf, WA.
  Paratype(s) NTM Cr.000716 2♂; NTM Cr.000712 5♂; NTM Cr.000561 1♂; NTM Cr.007010 1♂ 1♀; NTM Cr.007011 2♂ 1♀; NTM Cr.000616 1♂ 1♀; NTM Cr.006900 1♂; NTM Cr.0063141 1♀; NTM Cr.007017 4♀; NTM Cr.006901 1♂; NTM Cr.006899 1♀; NTM Cr.007008 3♀; NTM Cr.007015 1♂; NTM Cr.007009 2♀; NTM Cr.007046 1♀; NTM Cr.007349 1♀ 1♂; NTM Cr.007512 2♀ 2♂; NTM Cr.007508 3♂.
• Nephropsis hamadai Watabe, H. & Ikeda, H. 1994. Nephropsis hamadai, a new nephropid lobster (Decapoda: Nephropidae) from bathyal depth in Sagami Nada, central Japan. Crustacean Research 23: 102-107 [102].

  Type data:

   Holotype NSMT Cr 11216 ♂, 50.1 mm, eastern part of Sagami Nada, central Japan [35°03'N, 139°29'E].
  Paratype(s) NSMT Cr 11217 ♀, 44.9 mm, same data as holotype.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Chan, T.-Y., Wakabayashi, K., Chen, C.-L., Kato, M. & Chang, S.-C. 2024. Taxonomy of the two nominal species of the deep-sea clawed lobsters Nephropsis serrata Macpherson, 1993 and N. hamadai Watabe & Ikeda, 1994 (Decapoda: Astacidea: Nephropidae). Journal of Crustacean Biology 44(2)

Distribution

States

South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Great Australian Bight SW of Ceduna, SA, to off Cartier Reef, Indian Ocean; temperate/tropical, east Indo-west Pacific (New Guinea, Indonesia, Japan)

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental rise, continental slope, oceanic province.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 390–1430 m.

General References

Chan, T.-Y. 1997. Crustacea Decapoda: Palinuridae, Scyllaridae and Nephropidae collected in Indonesia by the KARUBAR Cruise, with an identification key for the species of Metanephrops. pp. 409-431 in Crosnier, A. & Bouchet, P. Résultats des Campagnes MUSORSTOM, Volume 16. Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris [1936-1950] 172: 1-667 [414] (range extension; suggests that N. hamadai Watabe & Ikeda, 1994, may be a synonym)

History of changes

• Nephropsis stewarti Wood-Mason, J. 1872. [Abstract]. Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 1872: 151 [151] [original description published in an abstract, full description published the following year in Wood-Mason, J. (1873); name placed on the Official List of Specific names in Zoology, see International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (1959).].

  Type data:

   Neotype NTOU NTOU M02249 ♂ (Date of collection - 23 May 2015), Andaman Sea [12°21.96'N, 96°37.32'E].
  Status unknown, ZSI 1404 ♀ (This holotype is no longer extant), 25 miles off Ross Island on the E coast of the Andamans.

  Type locality references:

  Chang,S.C., Chan,T.Y. & Kumar,A.B. 2020. Deep-sea clawed lobster Nephropsis stewarti Wood-Mason, 1872 species complex in the Indo-West Pacific (Crustacea, Decapoda, Nephropidae), with description of a new species. ZooKeys 1008: 37-60 [Date published 31/12/2020] [41].

  Secondary source:

   Wood-Mason, J. 1873. On Nephropsis stewarti a new genus and species of Macrurous Crustaceans dredged in deep water off the eastern coast of the Andaman Islands. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 42(II): 39-44 4 pls; International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1959. Opinion 559. Determination of the gender to be attributed to six generic names in the Class Crustacea (Order Decapoda) and addition of the names concerned to the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology. Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 20: 283-292.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific Oceans (East Africa to Japan).

IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Queensland: Great Barrier Reef, NE oceanic
  • Western Australia: NW oceanic, W oceanic

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental rise, continental shelf, continental slope, oceanic province.

Extra Ecological Information

On soft muddy substrates, from 170–1060 m, usually between 500 and 750 m.

General References

Holthuis, L.B. 1991. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 13. Marine lobsters of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, 13: i-viii, 1-292 [45]

History of changes

• Nephropsis suhmi Spence Bate, C. 1888. Report on the Crustacea Macrura collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–76. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 24: 1-942, i-xc figs 1-76 pls 1-150 [181 pl. 23 fig. 3].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 88.22, E off Dobba, Arrou Island [Dobo, Aru Islands], Indonesia.
• Nephropsis orientalis Spence Bate, C. 1888. Report on the Crustacea Macrura collected by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873–76. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 24: 1-942, i-xc figs 1-76 pls 1-150 [171, 175] [a name Bate originally intended for the species suhmi and forgot to alter on pp. 171, 175; considered a junior objective synonym].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Holthuis, L.B. 1991. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 13. Marine lobsters of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, 13: i-viii, 1-292 [35, 46]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Lord Howe Rise, W Tasman Sea, and Indo-west Pacific Oceans.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: SE oceanic
  • Queensland: NE oceanic
  • Western Australia: NW oceanic

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental rise, continental slope, oceanic province.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 786 and 2029 m, usually between 1600 and 1900 m.

General References

Griffin, D.J.G. & Stoddart, H.E. 1995. Deep-water decapod Crustacea from eastern Australia: lobsters of the families Nephropidae, Palinuridae, Polychelidae and Scyllaridae. Records of the Australian Museum 47(3): 231-263 [Date published 1 December 1995] [234]

History of changes

• Nephropsis sulcata Macpherson, E. 1990. Crustacea Decapoda: On a collection of Nephropidae from the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific. pp. 289-329 figs 1-17 in Crosnier, A. Résultats des Campagnes MUSORSTOM, Volume 6. Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris [1936-1950] 145(A): 1-388 [319 figs 13e-g, 14, 15].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP AS523 ♂, Philippines.
  Paratype(s) MNHP AS518 ♀ (as allotype); MNHP AS490; MNHP AS493; MNHP AS524; MNHP AS519; MNHP AS545; MNHP AS521; MNHP AS520; MNHP AS522; MNHP AS525; MNHP AS530; USNM.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific Oceans.

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: SE oceanic
  • Queensland: NE oceanic, SE oceanic
  • Western Australia: NW oceanic

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental rise, continental slope.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 415–1115 m.

General References

Griffin, D.J.G. & Stoddart, H.E. 1995. Deep-water decapod Crustacea from eastern Australia: lobsters of the families Nephropidae, Palinuridae, Polychelidae and Scyllaridae. Records of the Australian Museum 47(3): 231-263 [Date published 1 December 1995] [235]

History of changes

• Thaumastocheles Wood-Mason, J. 1874. Blind Crustacea. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 1874: 180-181 [181] [name placed on the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology, see International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1958. Opinion 519. Addition to the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology of the names of twenty-three genera of Macrura Reptantia (Class Crustacea) and use of the Plenary Powers in regard to three matters concerned therewith. Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 19: 133–168; gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Astacus zaleucus Thomson, 1873 by monotypy.

  Secondary source:

   International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1958. Opinion 519. Addition to the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology of the names of twenty-three genera of Macrura Reptantia (Class Crustacea) and use of the Plenary Powers in regard to three matters concerned therewith. Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 19: 133-168.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

Extra Distribution Information

Western Pacific Ocean, West Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean region).

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N coast

General References

Chang, S.-C., Chan, T.-Y. & Ahyong, S.T. 2014. Two new species of the rare lobster genus Thaumastocheles Wood-Mason, 1874 (Reptantia: Nephropidae) discovered from recent deep-sea expeditions in the Indo-West Pacific. Journal of Crustacean Biology 34(1): 107-122 (discuss the one species that occurs in Australian waters)

History of changes

• Thaumastocheles dochmiodon Chan, T.-Y. & de Saint Laurent, M. 1999. The rare lobster genus Thaumastocheles (Decapoda: Thaumastochelidae) from the Indo-Pacific, with description of a new species. Journal of Crustacean Biology 19(4): 891-901 [891].

  Type data:

   Holotype NTOU H 1–6.1997 ♂, north-eastern coast, Tai-Shi, I-Lan County, Taiwan.
  Paratype(s) NTOU P 5.6.1991 ♂, north-eastern coast, Tai-Shi, I-Lan County, Taiwan; NTOU P 27.4.1995 ♂, north-eastern coast, Tai-Shi, I-Lan County, Taiwan; NTOU P 19.10.1995 ♂, north-eastern coast, Tai-Shi, I-Lan County, Taiwan; NTOU P 6.1.1996 ♂, north-eastern coast, Tai-Shi, I-Lan County, Taiwan; NTOU P 14.9.1996 ♂, north-eastern coast, Tai-Shi, I-Lan County, Taiwan; NTOU P 24.9.1996 ♂, north-eastern coast, Tai-Shi, I-Lan County, Taiwan; NTOU P 1–6.1997 12♂, north-eastern coast, Tai-Shi, I-Lan County, Taiwan; NTOU P 1997-1998 26♂, north-eastern coast, Tai-Shi, I-Lan County, Taiwan; MNHP ♂, north-eastern coast, Tai-Shi, I-Lan County, Taiwan; USNM 3♂, north-eastern coast, Tai-Shi, I-Lan County, Taiwan.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

Extra Distribution Information

Southern Japan, Taiwan, South China Sea.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: N coast

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental slope, oceanic province.

Extra Ecological Information

From 250–822 m depth.

General References

Chang, S.-C., Chan, T.-Y. & Ahyong, S.T. 2014. Two new species of the rare lobster genus Thaumastocheles Wood-Mason, 1874 (Reptantia: Nephropidae) discovered from recent deep-sea expeditions in the Indo-West Pacific. Journal of Crustacean Biology 34(1): 107-122

History of changes

• Thaumastochelopsis Bruce, A.J. 1988. Thaumastochelopsis wardi gen. et sp. nov., a new blind deep-sea lobster from the Coral Sea (Crustacea: Decapoda: Nephropidea). Invertebrate Taxonomy 2: 903-914 figs 1-7 [903 fig. 1] [gender feminine].

  Type species:

   Thaumastochelopsis wardi Bruce, 1988 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

NE Queensland.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Queensland: NE coast, NE oceanic

General References

Holthuis, L.B. 1991. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 13. Marine lobsters of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125, 13: i-viii, 1-292

History of changes

• Thaumastochelopsis brucei Ahyong, Chu & Chan, 2007.

  Type data:

   Holotype AM P49083 ♂, E of Swains Reef, Queensland, Australia [21°59.43'S, 153°06.60'E].
  Paratype(s) QM W25868 ♂, Coral Sea, 20 mi northeast of Heron Island, Queensland [23°20'S, 152°12.50'E].

  Type locality references:

  Ahyong, S.T., Chu, K.H. & Chan, T.-Y. 2007. Description of a new species of Thaumastochelopsis from the Coral Sea (Decapoda: Nephropoidea). Bulletin of Marine Science 80: 201–208 [203].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Ahyong, S.T., Chu, K.H. & Chan, T.-Y. 2007. Description of a new species of Thaumastochelopsis from the Coral Sea (Decapoda: Nephropoidea). Bulletin of Marine Science 80: 201–208 [203]

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Thaumastochelopsis wardi Bruce, A.J. 1988. Thaumastochelopsis wardi gen. et sp. nov., a new blind deep-sea lobster from the Coral Sea (Crustacea: Decapoda: Nephropidea). Invertebrate Taxonomy 2: 903-914 figs 1-7 [909 figs 1-7].

  Type data:

   Holotype NTM Cr.004231A ♀, 'Marian Plateau, off Townsville' Coral Sea, QLD.
  Paratype(s) NTM Cr.004231B ♂ (as allotype).

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

West Pacific Ocean.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Queensland: NE oceanic

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental slope, oceanic province.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 425 m.

History of changes