History of changes

• Carcinidae MacLeay, W.S. 1838. On the Brachyurous Decapod Crustacea brought from the Cape by Dr Smith. pp. 53–71 pl. 3 in, Illustrations of the Annulosa of South Africa; being a portion of the objects of natural history collected during an expedition into the interior of South Africa, under the direction of Dr Andrew Smith, in the years 1834, 1835, and 1836; fitted out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa". London. 75 pp. 4 pls [59].
• Megalopidae Haworth, A.H. 1825. A new binary arrangement of the macrurus Crustacea. Philosophical Magazine and Journal 65: 183-184 [184].
• Platyonychidae Dana, J.D. 1851. On the Classification of the Cancroidea. American Journal of Science and Arts 12(34): 121-131 [130].
• Portumninae Ortmann, A.E. 1899. Crustacea, Zweite Hälfte: Malacostraca. 1169-1232 pls 117-122 in Bronn, H.G. (ed.). Klassen und Ordnungen des Thier-Reichs. Band 5, Abtheilung II (Gliederfüssler: Arthropoda), Lieferung 53–56. Liepzig : [unknown]. [1170].
• Xaividae Berg, C. 1900. Datos sobre algunos crustáceos nuevos para la fauna argentina. Comunicaciones del Museo Nacional de Buenos Aires 1(7): 223-236 [224].

Diagnosis

Carapace subhexagonal, moderately wider than broad or about as broad as long; not obviously convex in both directions; eyestalks short; anterolateral border divided into five or fewer teeth (including exorbital tooth), supra-orbital fissures reduced, infraorbital fissure reduced or absent. Basal antennal segment narrow, cylindrical, fixed or free, longer than broad, lying longitudinally; lobe on first maxilliped ('portunid lobe') inconspicuous. Chelipeds long and stout; usually without spines except for inner carpal spine. At least one pair of ambulatory legs longer than chelipeds; dactyli of last pair of legs mostly lanceolate or styliform. Male first gonopod without subterminal spines. (After Apel & Spiridonov 1998).

General References

Apel, M. & Spiridonov, V.A. 1998. Taxonomy and zoogeography of the portunid crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae) of the Arabian Gulf and adjacent waters. Fauna of Arabia 17: 159-331

History of changes

• Carcinus Leach, W.E. 1814. Crustaceology. pp. 383-437 in Brewster, D. Sir (ed.). The Edinburgh Encyclopaedia. Edinburgh : John Murray Baldwin & Cradocle Vol. 7 (2). [390] [Name No. 798 on the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology, seeInternational Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1955. Opinion 330. Validation, under the Plenary Powers, of the generic names Ligia Fabricius, 1798 (Class Crustacea, Order Isopoda), and Carcinus Leach, 1814 (Class Crustacea, Order Decapoda). Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 9: 321–338, gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Cancer maenas Linnaeus, 1758 by monotypy.

  Secondary source:

   International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1955. Opinion 330. Validation, under the Plenary Powers, of the generic names Ligia Fabricius, 1798 (Class Crustacea, Order Isopoda), and Carcinus Leach, 1814 (Class Crustacea, Order Decapoda). Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 9: 321-338.
• Ligia Weber, F. 1795. Nomenclator entomologicus secundum entomologian systematicam ill. Fabricii, adjectis speciebus recens detectis et varietatibus. Chiloni et Hamburgi : C.E. Bohn viii 171 pp. [92] [name suppressed in International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1955. Opinion 330. Validation, under the Plenary Powers, of the generic names Ligia Fabricius, 1798 (Class Crustacea, Order Isopoda), and Carcinus Leach, 1814 (Class Crustacea, Order Decapoda). Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 9: 321–338, Name No. 207 on Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Generic Names in Zoology, gender feminine].

  Type species:

   Cancer granarius Herbst, 1783 by monotypy (= Cancer maenas Linnaeus, 1758).

  Secondary source:

   International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1955. Opinion 330. Validation, under the Plenary Powers, of the generic names Ligia Fabricius, 1798 (Class Crustacea, Order Isopoda), and Carcinus Leach, 1814 (Class Crustacea, Order Decapoda). Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 9: 321-338.
• Macropa Latreille, P.A. 1822. Crustacés, Arachnides et Insectes. In, Tableau encyclopédique et méthodique des trois régnes de la nature. Vol. 24. 142 + 38 + 397 pls [9] [gender feminine].

  Type species:

   Megalopa montagui Leach, 1817 by monotypy (= Cancer rhomboidalis Montagu, 1804, = Cancer maenas Linnaeus, 1758).
• Sympractor Gistel, J. 1848. Naturgeschichte des Thierreichs für höhere schulen bearbeitet. Stuttgart xvi 216 pp., 32 pls. [ix] [nom. nov. for Megalopa Leach, 1814 (as Megalopus); gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Cancer granarius Herbst, 1783 by original designation.
• Carcinides Rathbun, M.J. 1897. A revision of the nomenclature of the Brachyura. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 11: 153-167 [164] [nom. nov. for Carcinus Leach, 1814, see International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1955. Opinion 330. Validation, under the Plenary Powers, of the generic names Ligia Fabricius, 1798 (Class Crustacea, Order Isopoda), and Carcinus Leach, 1814 (Class Crustacea, Order Decapoda). Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 9: 321–338, Name No. 209 on Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Generic Names in Zoology, gender masculine].

  Secondary source:

   International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1955. Opinion 330. Validation, under the Plenary Powers, of the generic names Ligia Fabricius, 1798 (Class Crustacea, Order Isopoda), and Carcinus Leach, 1814 (Class Crustacea, Order Decapoda). Opinions and Declarations rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 9: 321-338.
• Megalopa Leach, W.E. 1814. Crustaceology. pp. 383-437 in Brewster, D. Sir (ed.). The Edinburgh Encyclopaedia. Edinburgh : John Murray Baldwin & Cradocle Vol. 7 (2). [431] [junior objective synonym of Ligia Leach, 1814; gender feminine].

  Type species:

   Cancer granarius Herbst, 1783 by subsequent designation, see 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 [75] (= Cancer maenas Linnaeus, 1758).

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 [75]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific and West Atlantic Oceans, North Sea almost to the Arctic.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Cancer maenas Linnaeus, C. 1758. Cancer. pp. 625-634 in Linnaeus, C. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundem classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentis, synonymis, locis. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae : Laurentii Salvii Vol. 1 10 Edn., 824 pp. [627].

  Type data:

   Lectotype whereabouts unknown, Marstrand, north of Göteborg, Sweden.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Christiansen, M.E. 1969. Marine Invertebrates of Scandinavia. 2. Crustacea Decapoda Brachyura. Oslo : Universitetsforlaget 143 pp. [49] (lectotype designation based on description, but specimen presumed lost).
• Cancer marinus sulcatus Rumphius, G.E. 1705. D'Amboinsche Rariteitkamer, behelzende eene beschryvinge van allerhande zoo weeke als harde schaalvisschen, te weeten raare Krabben, Kreeften, en diergelyke Zeedieren, als mede allerhande Hoorntjes en Schulpen, die men in d'Amboinsche Zee vindt : daar beneven zommige Mineraalen, Gesteenten, en soorten van Aarde, die in d'Amboinsche, en zommige omleggende Eilanden gevonden worden : Verdeelt in drie bocken, &c. Rumpf, Georg Eberhard, 1627–1702. Amsterdam Vol. 1. 340 pp. 60 pls. [pl. 6 fig. O] [pre-Linnaean name, thus unavailable].
• Monoculus taurus Slabber, M. 1778. Natuurkundige verlustigingen, behelzende microscopise waarnemingen van in- en uitlandse water- en land-dieren. [Publisher unknown] 166 pp. 18 pls. [35, 159 pl. 5 figs 1, 2 pl. 18 fig. 1].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, not determined.
• Cancer granarius Herbst, J.F.W. 1783. Versuch einer Naturgeschichte der Krabben und Krebse nebst einer Systematischen Beischreibung ihrer Verschieden Arten. Zurich : Joh. Casper Fuessly Vol. 1 Pts 2–5 pp. 87–182 pls 2–9. [3 volumes and an Atlas published from 1782–1804].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, ZMB (lost (not found by Sakai, K. 1999. J. F. W. Herbst-Collection of decapod Crustacea of the Berlin Zoological Museum, with remarks on certain species. Naturalists, Tokushima Biological Laboratory, Shikoku University 6: 1–45 pls 1–21)), not determined.
• Cancer viridis Herbst, J.F.W. 1783. Versuch einer Naturgeschichte der Krabben und Krebse nebst einer Systematischen Beischreibung ihrer Verschieden Arten. Zurich : Joh. Casper Fuessly Vol. 1 Pts 2–5 pp. 87–182 pls 2–9. [3 volumes and an Atlas published from 1782–1804].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, ZMB (lost (not found by Sakai, K. 1999. J. F. W. Herbst-Collection of decapod Crustacea of the Berlin Zoological Museum, with remarks on certain species. Naturalists, Tokushima Biological Laboratory, Shikoku University 6: 1–45 pls 1–21)), not determined.
• Cancer pygmaeus Fabricius, J.C. 1787. Mantissa Insectorum sistens eorum Species nuper detectas, adiectis Characteribus genericis, Differentiis specificis, Emendationibus, Observationibus. Hafniae : C.G. Proft Vol. 1 xx 382 pp.

  Type data:

   Status unknown, npt determined.
• Cancer rhomboidalis Montagu, G. 1804. VII. Description of several Marine Animals found on the South Coast of Devonshire. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London 7: 61-65 pls 6, 7 [65 pl. 6 fig. 1].

  Type data:

   Holotype (megalopa, presumed lost), south coast of Devonshire, England.
• Cancer granulatus Say, T. 1817. An account of the Crustacea of the United States, continued. Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 1(7): 155-168.

  Type data:

   Holotype (lost), east coast of the United States.
• Megalopa montagui Leach, W.E. 1817. Malacostraca Podophthalma Britanniae; or descriptions of the British species of Crabs, Lobsters, Prawns, and of other Malacostraca with pedunculated eyes ... Illustrated with coloured figures of all the species by James Sowerby, F.L.S. G.S. W.S. &c. Nos XIII–XVI. London : James Sowerby pls XVI, XVIII, XX, XXII, XXV, XXXVII, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIV. [text accompanying pl. XVI] [unnecessary nom. nov. for Megalopa rhomboidalis (Montagu, 1804)].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, not determined.
• Portunus carcinoides Kinahan, J.R. 1857. On a Crangon new to science with notes of other nondescript Crustacea, and observations on the distribution of the Crustacea Podophthalmia of the eastern, or Dublin Marine District of Ireland. Proceedings of the Natural History Society of Dublin 2(1856–1857): 27-34.

  Type data:

   Holotype NMINH 2010.6.151, Valentia, County Kerry, Ireland.

  Type locality references:

  Low, M.E.Y., Monaghan, N.T. & Holmes, J.M.C. 2012. The Brachyura described by John Robert Kinahan, and a discussion on Kinahan’s overlooked authorship of the family-group name Litocheiridae (Crustacea: Decapoda). Zootaxa 44–52 [48].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Rathbun, M.J. 1930. The cancroid crabs of America of the families Euryalidae, Portunidae, Atelecyclidae, Cancridae and Xanthidae. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 152: i-xvi 1-609, text-figs 1-85 pls 1-230 [15]
• 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 [75]
• Adema, J.P.H.M. 1991. Krabben van Nederland en Belgie (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura). Leiden : National Natuurhistorisch Museum xii 244 pp. [133]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Originally from European and north-west African coasts, North Sea and Baltic, now spread to southern Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Hawaii and the west coast of north America.

Introduced from north-western Atlantic.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Ecological Descriptors

Estuary, mud flats, rocks, sand flats, seagrass, subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

In rock crevices high on beach, on bay and estuarine mud and sand flats, among seagrass, burrowing predator of molluscs and fin-fish species, intertidal to 60 m depth.

General References

Crothers, J.H. 1966. The biology of the shore crab Carcinus maenus (L.) 1. The background — anatomy, growth and life-history. Field Studies 3: 109-124

Furlani, D.M. 1996. A Guide to the Introduced Marine Species in Australian Waters. Technical Report Number 5. Hobart : Centre for Research on Introduced Marine Pests, C.S.I.R.O. (unpaginated, loose-leaf) Vol. 5. (summary of Australian distributional records)

Holthuis, L.B. & Gottlieb, E. 1958. Alpheidae Brachyura. Bulletin No. 18. An annotated List of the Decapod Crustacea of the Mediterranean Coast of Israel, with an Appendix listing the Decapoda of the Eastern Mediterranean. Bulletin of the Research Council of Israel Sect. B: Zoology 7B(1–2): 1-126 figs 1-15 pls 1-3 [84]

Zeidler, W. 1978. Note on the occurrence of the European Shore Crab Carcinus maenas (Linn., 1758). South Australian Naturalist 153: 11-12

History of changes

• Echinolatus Davie, P.J.F. & Crosnier, A. 2006. Echinolatus n. gen. (Crustacea, Decapoda, Portunidae) with description of two new species from the South-West Pacific. Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris [1936-1950] 193: 393-410.

  Type species:

   Echinolatus bullatum (Balss, 1923) by original designation.

Distribution

States

South Australia, Victoria

IMCRA

Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

History of changes

• Echinolatus poorei Davie, P.J.F. & Crosnier, A. 2006. Echinolatus n. gen. (Crustacea, Decapoda, Portunidae) with description of two new species from the South-West Pacific. Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris [1936-1950] 193: 393-410 [403].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV J52217 ♂ (139 m depth), Great Australian Bight, South Australia [33°15.87'S, 130°37.83'E].

Distribution

States

South Australia, Victoria

IMCRA

Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Epibenthic.

Extra Ecological Information

134-520 m depth

History of changes

• Nectocarcinus Milne Edwards, A. 1860. Histoire des Crustacés Podophthalmaires fossiles. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Paris Zool. 4 14: 129-293 pls 1-10 [219, 228].

  Type species:

   Portunus integrifrons Latreille, 1825 by subsequent designation, see Dell, R.K., Griffin, D.J.G. & Yaldwyn, J.C. 1970. A new swimming crab from the New Zealand Subantarctic and a review of the genus Nectocarcinus A. Milne-Edwards. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 12(7): 49-68, 3 figs, 3 pls (includes key to species and generic review).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Circum-Antarctic, Indo-west Pacific Oceans.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Portunus integrifrons Latreille, P.A. 1825. Encyclopédie Méthodique. Histoire Naturelle. Entomologie, ou Histoire naturelle des Crustacés, des Arachnides et des Insectes. Paris. Vol. 10. Pt 1. 832 pp. [192].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, Australia as ' Nouvelle Hollande'.
• Nectocarcinus melanodactylus Milne Edwards, A. 1860. Histoire des Crustacés Podophthalmaires fossiles. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Paris Zool. 4 14: 129-293 pls 1-10 [220].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP ♂, Red Sea.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Stephenson, W. 1972. An annotated check list and key to the Indo-west Pacific swimming crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Portunidae). Bulletin of the Royal Society of New Zealand 10: 1-64 [21]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Low intertidal, sublittoral.

Extra Ecological Information

To 15 m depth.

General References

Dell, R.K., Griffin, D.J.G. & Yaldwyn, J.C. 1970. A new swimming crab from the New Zealand Subantarctic and a review of the genus Nectocarcinus A. Milne-Edwards. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 12(7): 49-68, 3 figs, 3 pls [60-62] (discussion of differences between N. integrifrons and N. tuberculosus)

History of changes

• Nectocarcinus spinifrons Stephenson, W. 1961. The Australia Portunids (Crustacea: Portunidae). V. Recent collections. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 12(1): 92-128 pls 1-5 [92 figs 1A, 2G, pl. 1].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM 47-60 ♂, NE side of Dirk Hartog Is., Shark Bay WA.
  Paratype(s) WAM 47a-60 ♀ (as allotype).

Distribution

States

South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Sublittoral.

Extra Ecological Information

From 75–102 m depth.

General References

Dell, R.K., Griffin, D.J.G. & Yaldwyn, J.C. 1970. A new swimming crab from the New Zealand Subantarctic and a review of the genus Nectocarcinus A. Milne-Edwards. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 12(7): 49-68, 3 figs, 3 pls [64 pl. 3B]

History of changes

• Nectocarcinus tuberculosus Milne Edwards, A. 1860. Histoire des Crustacés Podophthalmaires fossiles. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Paris Zool. 4 14: 129-293 pls 1-10 [220].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP ♂, Australia as 'Nouvelle Hollande'.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)

Ecological Descriptors

Littoral, sublittoral.

Extra Ecological Information

Under rocks, to 50 m depth.

General References

Dell, R.K., Griffin, D.J.G. & Yaldwyn, J.C. 1970. A new swimming crab from the New Zealand Subantarctic and a review of the genus Nectocarcinus A. Milne-Edwards. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 12(7): 49-68, 3 figs, 3 pls [60-62] (discussion of differences between N. tuberculosus and N. integrifrons)

Hale, H.M. 1927. The Crustaceans of South Australia. Eumalacostraca. Adelaide : Government Printer Vol. 1 201 pp., 202 figs. (illustration and description)

Stephenson, W. & Campbell, B. 1960. The Australian Portunids (Crustacea: Portunidae) IV: Remaining Genera. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 11(1): 73-122 [84]

History of changes

• Coenophthalmoida Alcock, A. 1899. Materials for a Carcinological Fauna of India. No. 4. The Brachyura Cyclometopa. Part II. A Revision of the Cyclometopa with an Account of the Families Portunidae, Cancridae and Corystidae. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 68(Pt 2 No. 1): 1-104 [8].

Introduction

Portunids are commonly known as 'swimming crabs', and most are particularly efficient swimmers, using the characteristic flattened paddles on the last pair of legs. This ability, combined with stout, pointed, sharply toothed and spined claws, makes many of them fast and aggressive predators. Portunids such as the Mud CrabsScylla serrata and Scylla olivacea, and Blue Swimmers—Portunus armatus are highly prized food items, and form the mainstay of the Australian crab fishing industry, worth many millions of dollars annually.

Portunids are found in all oceans, but reach their greatest diversity in the Indo-west Pacific. In Australia there are around 15 genera and nearly 100 species. While many are large, active predators, others are very small. Some are even found living commensally, for example, the Harlequin Crab, Lissocarcinus orbicularis, lives on and in large holothurians.

The taxonomy of Australian portunids has been relatively well studied, particularly by the late Prof. W. ('Bill') Stephenson and his co-workers (see Stephenson & Hudson (1957), Stephenson & Campbell (1959, 1960), Stephenson (1961, 1972a, 1972b, 1976), Stephenson & Rees (1961, 1967, 1968a, 1968b, 1968c), Rees & Stephenson (1966), Stephenson & Cook (1973)). In particular, Stephenson's (1972a) annotated checklist and keys to the Indo-west Pacific Portunidae are essential tools for any study of this group. Other relevant and important recent works include those of Wee & Ng (1995), Keenan et al. (1998) (revising Scylla), Apel & Spiridonov (1998), and Lai et al. (2010)(revising Portunus.

Some taxonomic and nomenclatural changes at the subfamily level have been introduced since Stephenson's (1972a) work. Perhaps the most important was the resurrection by Apel & Spiridonov (1998) of the Thalamitinae Paul'son, 1875, which was for a long time included in the Portuninae. The other change concerns the use of the name Polybiinae. Stephenson & Campbell (1960) erected the subfamily Macropipinae to include Macropipus Prestandrea, Ovalipes Rathbun, and Parathranites Miers, but Holthuis (1968) pointed out that Polybiinae Ortmann, 1893 is the senior available name for this group. Following Ng et al. (2008), the Polybiidae and Carcinidae are now treated as separate families within the Superfamily Portunoidea.

Diagnosis

Carapace typically subhexagonal or transversely oval; flat; regions not well defined; usually broader than long, and broadest between last pair of anterolateral teeth; 1–9 pairs of anterolateral teeth (including exorbital angle); front horizontal, broad, lobulate or dentate. Eyes typically short, well protected by sunken rounded orbits; rarely greatly lengthened and largely unprotected. Lobe on endite of first maxilliped ('portunid lobe') usually present. Chelipeds typically robust; fingers usually sharply pointed, occasionally spoon-shaped. Last pair of legs generally modified for swimming, with propodus and dactylus paddle-like; dactylus rarely styliform. Abdominal segments 3–5 typically fused in males; male genital openings coxal; female openings sternal.

General References

Apel, M. & Spiridonov, V.A. 1998. Taxonomy and zoogeography of the portunid crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae) of the Arabian Gulf and adjacent waters. Fauna of Arabia 17: 159-331

Holthuis, L.B. 1968. Polybiinae, the correct name for the subfamily containing the genus Macropipus Prestandrea, 1833 (Decapoda Brachyura Portunidae). Crustaceana 14: 220-221

Keenan, C.P., Davie, P.J.F. & Mann, D.L. 1998. A revision of the genus Scylla de Haan, 1833 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 46(1): 217-245

Lai, J.C.Y., Ng, P.K.L. & Davie, P.J.F. 2010. A revision of the Portunus pelagicus species-complex (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae),with the recognition of four species. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 58(2): 199–237 [Date published 31 Aug. 2010]

Ng, P.K.L, Guinot, D. & Davie, P.J.F. 2008. Systema Brachyurorum: Part I. An annotated checklist of extant brachyuran crabs of the world. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 17: 1-286 [Date published 31 January 2008]

Ortmann, A.E. 1893. Abtheilung: Brachyura (Brachyura genuina Boas), I. Unterabtheilung: Majoidea und Crancroidea, 1: Section Portuninea. Die Decapoden-Krebse des Strassburger Museums, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der von Herrn Dr Döderlein bei Japan und bei den Liu-Kiu-Inseln gesammelten und z.Z. im Strassburger Museum aufbewahrten Formen, VI. Theil. Zoologische Jahrbücher. Abteilung für Systematik, Geographie und Biologie der Tiere 7: 23-88 pl. 3

Paul'son, O.M. 1875. Podophthalmata i Edriophthalmata (Cumacea) Part I. In, Izledovaniya Rakoobraznykh Krasnago Morya s Zamekami Otnositel'no Rakoobraznykh Drugikhv Morie. Kiev : Kul'zhenko. i-xiv 1-144 pp. pls 1-21 [reissued and translated by F.D. Por, 1961: Studies on Crustacea of the Red Sea with notes regarding other seas. Part I. Podophthalmata and Edriophthalmata (Cumacea). Jerusalem: Israel Program for Scientific Translations; published for the National Science Foundation and Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.: pp. 1–134, pls 1–21]

Rees, M. & Stephenson, W. 1966. Some portunids (Crustacea: Portunidae) mostly from Queensland. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 78(3): 29-42 pl. 7

Stephenson, W. 1961. The Australia Portunids (Crustacea: Portunidae). V. Recent collections. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 12(1): 92-128 pls 1-5

Stephenson, W. 1972. An annotated check list and key to the Indo-west Pacific swimming crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Portunidae). Bulletin of the Royal Society of New Zealand 10: 1-64

Stephenson, W. 1972. Portunid crabs from the Indo-West Pacific and Western America in the Zoological Museum, Copenhagen (Decapoda, Brachyura, Portunidae). Steenstrupia 2(9): 127-156

Stephenson, W. 1976. Notes on Indo-West-Pacific Portunids (Decapoda, Portunidae) in the Smithsonian Institution. Crustaceana 31(1): 11-26

Stephenson, W. & Campbell, B. 1959. The Australian Portunids (Crustacea: Portunidae) III. The genus Portunus. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 10(1): 84-124 pls 1-5

Stephenson, W. & Campbell, B. 1960. The Australian Portunids (Crustacea: Portunidae) IV: Remaining Genera. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 11(1): 73-122

Stephenson, W. & Cook, S. 1973. Studies of Portunus gladiator complex and related species of Portunus (Crustacea: Decapoda). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 16(3): 415-434

Stephenson, W. & Hudson, J. 1957. The Australian Portunids (Crustacea: Portunidae). I. The genus Thalamita. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 8(3): 312-386 pls 1-10

Stephenson, W. & Rees, M. 1961. Sur deux nouveaux Crustacés Portunidae Indo-Pacifiques. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 33(4): 421-427

Stephenson, W. & Rees, M. 1967. Some Portunid crabs from the Pacific and Indian Oceans in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 120(3556): 1-114 9 pls

Stephenson, W. & Rees, M. 1968. A revision of the Charybdis miles "group" of species (Crustacea: Portunidae), with description of a new species from Queensland waters. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 15(2): 91-110 1 pl.

Stephenson, W. & Rees, M. 1968. A revision of the genus Ovalipes Rathbun, 1898 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Portunidae). Records of the Australian Museum 27(11): 213-261 pls 35-42 figs 1-4

Stephenson, W. & Rees, M. 1968. The Endeavour and other Australian Museum Collections of Portunid Crabs (Crustacea, Decapoda, Portunidae). Records of the Australian Museum 27: 285-298 pl. 43

Wee, D.P.C. & Ng P.K.L. 1995. Swimming crabs of the Genera Charybdis de Haan, 1833, and Thalamita Latreille, 1829 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae) from Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 1: 1-128

History of changes

• Caphyrinae Paul'son, O.M. 1875. Studies on Crustacea of the Red Sea with Notes regarding other Seas. Part I. Podophthalmata and Edriophthalmata (Cumacea). Jerusalem : The Israel Program for Scientific Translations 164 pp. 21 pls. [reissued and translated by F.D. Por, 1961] [63].
• Lissocarcinidae Ortmann, A.E. 1893. Abtheilung: Brachyura (Brachyura genuina Boas), I. Unterabtheilung: Majoidea und Crancroidea, 1: Section Portuninea. Die Decapoden-Krebse des Strassburger Museums, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der von Herrn Dr Döderlein bei Japan und bei den Liu-Kiu-Inseln gesammelten und z.Z. im Strassburger Museum aufbewahrten Formen, VI. Theil. Zoologische Jahrbücher. Abteilung für Systematik, Geographie und Biologie der Tiere 7: 23-88 pl. 3 [67, 87].

Diagnosis

Carapace subcircular or subhexagonal, usually not much broader than long; surface either smooth or traversed on each side by ridges; eyestalks of normal length; anterolateral border with five or six teeth or nearly entire. Basal antennal segment lying obliquely, with anterolateral lobe entering orbital hiatus, peduncle and flagellum excluded from orbit. Chelipeds of about same length or little longer than ambulatory legs, bearing a reduced set of spines on merus, carpus and palm; fingers not grooved or very weakly grooved. Walking legs short; last leg variously modified, varying from paddle-shaped to ending in a claw-shaped dactylus. Male first gonopod with subterminal spines. (After Apel & Spiridonov 1998).

General References

Apel, M. & Spiridonov, V.A. 1998. Taxonomy and zoogeography of the portunid crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae) of the Arabian Gulf and adjacent waters. Fauna of Arabia 17: 159-331

History of changes

• Caphyra Guérin-Méneville, F.É. 1832. Notices sur quelques modifications dans les Notopodes de M. Latreille et etablissement d'un nouveau genre de cette tribu. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Paris Zool.) (I 25(99): 283-289 [285] [gender feminine].

  Type species:

   Caphyra rouxii Guérin-Méneville, 1832 by monotypy.
• Camptonyx Heller, C. 1861. Beiträge zur Crustaceen-Fauna des rothen Meeres. Erster Theil. Sitzungsberichte der Mathematischen-Physikalischen Klasse der Königlich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München 43(1): 297-374 pls 1-4 [357] [gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Camptonyx politus Heller, 1861 by monotypy.
• Sphaerocarcinus Zehntner, L. 1894. Crustacés de l'Archipel malais. Voyage de MM.M. Bedot and C. Pictet dans l'Archipel malais. Revue Suisse de Zoologie 2: 135-214 pls 7-9 [163] [gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Sphaerocarcinus bedoti Zehntner, 1894 by monotypy.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Apel, M. & Steudel, C. 2001. Rediscovery of Sphaerocarcinus bedoti Zehntner, 1894 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae) at Socotra Island (Republic of Yemen) and placement in the genus Caphyra Guérin, 1832. Journal of Crustacean Biology 21(2): 538-544 [542]

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), Lord Howe Province (14), Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Caphyra curtipes Stephenson, W. & Rees, M. 1968. The Endeavour and other Australian Museum Collections of Portunid Crabs (Crustacea, Decapoda, Portunidae). Records of the Australian Museum 27: 285-298 pl. 43 [287 pl. 43A figs 1A-D].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM P15361 ♂, Woody Head, Clarence River mouth, NSW.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, shallow subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Lives in alcyonarian (Alcyonium).

History of changes

• Caphyra fulva Stephenson, W. & Campbell, B. 1960. The Australian Portunids (Crustacea: Portunidae) IV: Remaining Genera. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 11(1): 73-122 [104 figs 1J, 2L, 3I, pl.].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM P13478 ♂, Heron Island, Capricorn Island, QLD.
  Paratype(s) AM P13472 ♀ (as allotype); AM 1♀ 2♂; QM W2425 1♀ 2♂.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

West Pacific Ocean (Madagascar, Kei Islands, Sulu Islands, Philippines).

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, shallow subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Lives in alcyonarian (Xenia and Heteroxenia), 1–2 m depth.

General References

Crosnier, A. 1975. Sur les Caphyra (Crustacea Decapoda Portunidae) de l'océan Indien occidental et de la mer Rouge. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 3 (Zool.) 214: 743-764 [755] (figured)

History of changes

• Goniosoma laeve Milne Edwards, A. 1869. Description de quelques Crustacés Nouveaux de la familie des Portuniens. Nouvelles Archives du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris 5: 146-160 pls 6-7 [152] [as Goniosoma laéve.].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, MNHP, New Caledonia.
• Caphyra semigranosa de Man, J.G. 1888. Bericht über die von Herrn Dr. J. Brock im indischen Archipel gesammelten Decapoden und Stomatopoden. Archiv für Naturgeschichte 53(1): 215-600 pls 7-22, 22a [for publication date Clark, P.F., Harrison, K. & Goodman, S.L. 1990. Brock's Indian Archipelago Decapoda and Stomatopoda by De Man: 1887 or 1888?. Arch. Nat. Hist. 17(1): 79–80] [337].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMG ♀, Edam Island, Indonesia.
• Caphyra octodentata Haswell, W.A. 1882. Description of some new species of Australian Decapoda. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 6(4): 750-763 [753].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) AM(MMUS) ♂ (invalid allocation of holotype status by Griffin, D.J.G. & Stanbury, P.J. 1970. Type Specimens in the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney. V. Decapod Crustaceans. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 95(1): 122–131 [129]), Palm Island, QLD.
• Caphyra suvaensis Edmondson, C.H. 1935. New and rare Polynesian Crustacea. Occasional Papers of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum 10(24): 3-40 figs 1-11 pls 1-2 [22 fig. 6].

  Type data:

   Holotype BPBM ♂, Fiji.
• ?Caphyra natatrix Zehntner, L. 1894. Crustacés de l'Archipel malais. Voyage de MM.M. Bedot and C. Pictet dans l'Archipel malais. Revue Suisse de Zoologie 2: 135-214 pls 7-9 [162].

  Secondary source:

   Crosnier, A. 1975. Sur les Caphyra (Crustacea Decapoda Portunidae) de l'océan Indien occidental et de la mer Rouge. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 3 (Zool.) 214: 743-764 [759].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Crosnier, A. 1975. Sur les Caphyra (Crustacea Decapoda Portunidae) de l'océan Indien occidental et de la mer Rouge. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 3 (Zool.) 214: 743-764 [759]

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Hibernia Reef, Indo-west Pacific Oceans (Madagascar to Fiji).

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, low intertidal, reef flat, subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

In alcyonarian (Xenia and Heteroxenia species), from 1–10 m depth.

History of changes

• Camptonyx rotundifrons Milne Edwards, A. 1869. Description de quelques Crustacés Nouveaux de la familie des Portuniens. Nouvelles Archives du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris 5: 146-160 pls 6-7 [156 pl. 7 figs 11, 12].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, MNHP, New Caledonia and Samoa.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific Oceans (East Africa, Madagascar to Fiji and Samoa).

IMCRA

Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, low intertidal, shallow subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Lives among filamentous green algae (Chlorodesmis).

General References

Stephenson, W. & Campbell, B. 1960. The Australian Portunids (Crustacea: Portunidae) IV: Remaining Genera. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 11(1): 73-122 [101]

History of changes

• Caphyra unidentata Lenz, H. 1910. Crustaceen von Madagascar, Ostafrika und Ceylon. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Reise in Ostafrika in der Jahren 1903–1905 2: 539-576 figs 1-4 [555 figs 2-4].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, Toamasina, Madagascar.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west central Pacific Oceans (South Africa, Madagascar, Vietnam and Fiji).

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, shallow subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

On alcyonarian (Alcyonium).

General References

Stephenson, W. & Rees, M. 1968. The Endeavour and other Australian Museum Collections of Portunid Crabs (Crustacea, Decapoda, Portunidae). Records of the Australian Museum 27: 285-298 pl. 43 [290]

History of changes

• Caphyra yookadai Sakai, T. 1933. A new genus and some new species of crabs from Shimoda. Science Reports of the Tokyo Kyoiku Daigaku. Section B 1(12): 137-144, text-figs 1-3 pl. 1 [141 pl. 13 fig. 3].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) whereabouts unknown 21♀, Susaki, near Simoda, Japan.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west central Pacific Oceans (Japan and Australia).

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, shallow subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

From alcyonarian (Alcyonium species).

General References

Stephenson, W. & Campbell, B. 1960. The Australian Portunids (Crustacea: Portunidae) IV: Remaining Genera. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 11(1): 73-122 [102]

History of changes

• Lissocarcinus Adams, A. & White, A. 1849. Crustacea. Part II. 33-67 pls 7-13 in Adams, A. (ed.). The Zoology of the Vogage of H.M.S. Samarang; under the command of Captain Sir Edward Belcher, C.B.F.R.A.S., F.G.S. during the years 1843-1846. London : Reeve, Benham & Reeve. [45] [gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Lissocarcinus polybioides Adams & White, 1849 by monotypy.
• Lissocarcinus 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] [126] [nom. nud.].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific Oceans.

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Lissocarcinus arkati Kemp, S. 1923. Notes on Crustacea Decapoda in the Indian Museum. XVI. On two interesting crabs from the mouth of the River Hughli. Records of the Indian Museum 25(4): 405-409 pl. 10 [405 pl. 10 fig. 1].

  Type data:

   Holotype IM, mouth of the River Hughli, India.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific Oceans (India to Japan).

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Sublittoral.

Extra Ecological Information

On mud or muddy sand, from 10–65 m depth.

General References

Stephenson, W. & Cook, S. 1970. New records of portunids from Southern Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 15(4): 331-334 [332]

History of changes

• Lissocarcinus laevis Miers, E.J. 1886. Report on the Brachyura 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 17(49): i-xlix 1-362 pls 1-29 [205 pl. 17 fig. 3, 3a].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH ♀, Celebes Sea, S of Mindanao.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west central Pacific Oceans (South Africa to Japan and Hawai'i).

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Ecological Descriptors

Sublittoral.

Extra Ecological Information

Dredged to 50 m depth.

General References

Stephenson, W. 1961. The Australia Portunids (Crustacea: Portunidae). V. Recent collections. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 12(1): 92-128 pls 1-5 [99] (described and illustrated from Australia)

History of changes

• Lissocarcinus orbicularis Dana, J.D. 1852. Conspectus Crustaceorum, etc. Conspectus of the Crustacea of the Exploring Expedition under Capt Wilkes, U.S.N., including the Crustacea Cancroidea Corystoidea. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia 6: 73-86 [86].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, (presumed lost), Vitienses [Fiji].
• Lissocarcinus pulchellus Müller, 1887.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west central Pacific Oceans (South Africa to Japan and Hawai'i).

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Commensal, coral reef, sublittoral.

Extra Ecological Information

Lives on the outer surface, among the oral tentacles or within the gut of large holothurians, often found in mated pairs. 100 m depth

General References

Stephenson, W. & Campbell, B. 1960. The Australian Portunids (Crustacea: Portunidae) IV: Remaining Genera. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 11(1): 73-122 [95]

History of changes