• 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

• Acanthophrys Milne Edwards, A. 1865. Description de quelques Crustacés Nouveax, appartenant à la tribu des Maiens. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France 4 5: 133-147 pls 3-5 [140].

  Type species:

   Acanthophrys cristimanus A. Milne Edwards, 1865 by subsequent designation, see Miers, E.J. 1879. On the classification of the Maioid Crustacea of Oxyrhyncha, with a synopsis of the families, sub-families and genera. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology 14: 634-673 pls 12-13.
• Parazewa Balss, H. 1938. Die Dekapoda Brachyura von Dr. Sixten Bocks Pazifik-Expedition 1917–1918. Göteborgs Kungliga Vetenskaps och Vitterhets Samhälles Handlingar B 5(7): 1-85 figs 1-18 pls 1-2 [gender feminine].

  Type species:

   Parazewa bocki Balss, 1938 by original designation.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• 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 [105] (includes key to species)

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

West Pacific Ocean.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14)

History of changes

• Acanthophrys costatus 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 [106 figs 31, 32a,b].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM P29920 ♂, between Comet Hole and reef, Lord Howe Island.
  Paratype(s) AM P29919 ♂, between Comet Hole and reef, Lord Howe Island.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Lord Howe Province (14)

Ecological Descriptors

Rock reef, shallow subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Amongst red and brown algae and some corals, depth 2–3 m.

History of changes

• Austrolibinia Griffin, D.J.G. 1966. A review of the Australian Majid Spider Crabs (Crustacea, Brachyura). The Australian Zoologist XIII(3): 259-297 pls 15-17, text-figs 1-3 [269] [gender feminine].

  Type species:

   Chorilibinia gracilipes Miers, 1879 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

West Indian Ocean, west Pacific Ocean.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

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 [108] (key to species)

History of changes

• Austrolibinia capricornensis 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 [109 fig. 33a,b,g,h].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM P10056 ♀, Capricorn Group, 20 km NW of North-west Islet, QLD.
  Paratype(s) AM P10044 1♂ 1♀, North-west Islet, Capricorn Group, QLD.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Depth 14–16 m.

History of changes

• Clorilibinia gracilipes Miers, E.J. 1879. Descriptions of new or little known species of Maioid Crustacea (Oxyrhyncha) in the collection of the British Museum. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 4: 1-28 pls 4, 5 [7 pl. 4 fig. 4].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BMNH 2♂, Papua New Guinea.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Dredged from substrates of sand and shell to mud and rubble, depth 16–93 m.

History of changes

• Giranauria 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 [116] [gender masculine].

  Type species:

   Chorinus verrucosipes Adams & White, 1848 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific Oceans.

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)

History of changes