Subfamily Pisinae Dana, 1851

Tylocarcinus styx [from A. Milne Edwards 1872: pl. 11 fig. 4]

Museums

Regional Maps

• Pisinae Dana, J.D. 1851. On the classification of the maioid Crustacea or Oxyrhyncha. American Journal of Science and Arts 2 11: 425-434 [428] [Name No. 368 on the Official List of Family-Group Names in Zoology, but date and citation in error].
• Amathinae Dana, J.D. 1851. On the classification of the maioid Crustacea or Oxyrhyncha. American Journal of Science and Arts 2 11: 425-434 [431].
• Chorininae Dana, J.D. 1851. On the classification of the maioid Crustacea or Oxyrhyncha. American Journal of Science and Arts 2 11: 425-434 [429].
• Libininae Dana, J.D. 1851. On the classification of the maioid Crustacea or Oxyrhyncha. American Journal of Science and Arts 2 11: 425-434 [429].
• Blastidae Stebbing, T.R.R. 1902. South African Crustacea, Part II. Marine Investigations in South Africa 2: 1-92 pls 5-16 [2].
• Pyrinae Dana, J.D. 1851. On the classification of the maioid Crustacea or Oxyrhyncha. American Journal of Science and Arts 2 11: 425-434 [430].
• Lissoida Alcock, A. 1895. Materials for a Carcinological Fauna of India. No. 1. The Brachyura Oxyrhyncha. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 64(Pt 2 No. 2): 157-291 pls 3-5 [161].
• Hyasteniinae Balss, H. 1929. Expedition S. M. Schiff Pola in das Rote Meer. Nördliche und südliche Hälfte 1895/96–1897/98. Zool Ergebn, 36. Decapoden des Roten Meeres, 4. Oxyrhyncha und Schlussbetrachtungen. Denkschriften der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Klasse 102: 1-30 figs 1-9 pl. 1 [8, 14].

Introduction

This is a large subfamily comprising at least 19 genera in the Indo-west Pacific, 15 of which occur in Australian waters. Most genera, like the highly speciose Hyastenus, are common inhabitants of shallow water reefs and fouling, but others such as Rochinia can be found to depths of over 650 metres. A review of the Pisinae and a key to Indo-west Pacific genera were provided by Griffin & Tranter (1986: 104–105).

Diagnosis

Eyes with commencing orbits: a supra-orbital eave that may be produced into a preorbital spine; sometimes an intercalated spine; and a characteristic large, prominent, postocular tooth or lobe, usually cupped, to receive the retracted eyestalk, but which never completely conceals cornea in dorsal view. Eyestalks short. Basal antennal article broad, at least at base; always fused distally; anterior angle usually produced to form a tooth or spine. Merus of third maxilliped expanded at antero-external angle; wider than ischium; palp at intero-internal angle. Rostrum two-spined, except in some Rochinia and Neodoclea species. Male abdomen not terminally broadened, seventh segment sub-triangular and not inserted deeply into sixth segment. (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