Family TRICHOPELTARIIDAE Tavares & Cleva, 2010

Museums

Regional Maps

• Trichopeltariidae Tavares, M. & Cleva, R. 2010. Trichopeltariidae (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura), a new family and superfamily of eubrachyuran crabs with description of one new genus and five new species. Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia. São Paulo 50(9): 97-157 [99-101].

Introduction

This small family is represented in Australian waters by a single genus.Trichopeltarion A. Milne Edwards, 1880, containing two named species. Both have been captured by trawling or dredging in several hundred metres depth, and are represented in collections by only a small number of specimens. Little is known of their biology.

Diagnosis

Carapace usually rounded to longitudinally ovate or pentagonal; regions moderately well defined; anterolateral margins usually armed with teeth or spines; anterolateral and posterolateral margins with relatively dense setae; front with two to four teeth or lobes; orbits complete. Antennular fossae quadrate to longer than broad, antennules fold longitudinally or almost so. Antennae well developed, relatively short, basal segment either fixed or only slightly movable; flagellum distinctly but not strongly setose. Fourth leg shorter but similar to other legs. Female genital openings on sternum; vulvae of adult female completely covered by abdomen. (A comprehensive Diagnosis is provided by Tavares & Cleva, 2010).

History of changes