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BULLETIN DU MUSÉUM NATIONAL D'HISTOIRE NATURELLE

3 e série, n° 141, mai-juin 1973, Zoologie 105

Further information on the type specimens

of Onycocaris aualitica (Nobili) (Decapoda Natantia, Pontoniinae)

by A. J. Bruce *

Résumé. — Les spécimens types de Coralliocaris ( Onycocaris ) aualitica Nobili, 1904, ont été

réexaminés. Des détails morphologiques supplémentaires sont décrits et illustrés et quelques erreurs

dans la description originale sont corrigées. En particulier, nous confirmons que l’exopodite de l’uro¬

pode a un bord latéral entier et que l’angle disto-latéral du scaphocérite a normalement une dent,

petite mais bien marquée. Ces corrections permettent de juger d’une façon plus précise la position

systématique de ces spécimens, maintenant placés dans le genre Onycocaris Nobili, dont ils sont

l’espèce type. Onycocaris aualitica ressemble beaucoup à Onycocaris oligodentata Fujino et Miyaké

et nous concluons que cette espèce est probablement synonyme de Onycocaris aualitica Nobili.

In 1904, G. Nobili published a preliminary description of a p air of shrimps collected

by Coutière from the neighbourhood of Djibouti in the Red Sea. The specimens were

named Coralliocaris ( Onycocaris) aualitica and were placed in the newly désigna ted subgenus

Onycocaris. In 1906, Nobili provided a more detailed description, with illustrations

of the second pereiopod and the dactylus and the end of the propod of an ambulatory

pereiopod. In this description he reported that the latéral borders of the exopods were

fînely denticulated, a feature that has resulted in considérable uncertainty as to the proper

systematic position of the species.

Kemp, in 1922, raised the subgenus Onycocaris to generic status, and included the two

species O. aualitica and O. rhodope (Nobili). The latter has been subsequently transferred

to the genus Periclimenaeus (Holthuis, 1952). In his report Kemp remarked that the proper

status of Onycocaris could not be assessed due to lack of adéquate information on its mor-

phological characteristics. Holthuis (1952) follows Kemp in his treatment of Nobili’s

species. More recently, Fujino and Miyaké (1969), in their report upon the genus Ony¬

cocaris, preferred to omit O. aualitica from their key to the species now referred to this

genus.

There has been no material referred to Onycocaris aualitica since the publication of

the original description. Ten species are at présent placed in the genus Onycocaris, ail

from the Indo-West-Pacific région, and, where the hosts are known, ail found in associa¬

tion with sponges.

Due to the kindness of Dr J. Forest, I hâve been able to reexamine the type specimens

* East Ajrican Marine Fisheries Research Organisation, Zanzibar. Présent address : EAMFRO —-

P.O. Box 81651 —- MOMBASA, Kenya.

141 , 1

962

A. J. BRUCE

of Coralliocaris ( Onycocaris) aualitica Nobili. This material bas been préservée! in the

eolleetions of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris. The specimens are in a

rather fragile State. They are at présent preserved in alcohol but appear to hâve been

originally preserved dried and pinned. The specimens hâve undergone sorne distortion

and many appendages are detaehed, but enough hâve been preserved to confirm the general

accuracy of Nobili’s account of the species and to provide further information upon its

morphology, and at the sanie time to clarify sonie of the difficulties experienced by earlier

workers.

Onycocaris aualitica (Nobili)

Coralliocaris ( Onycocaris ) aualitica, Nobili, 1904, Bull. Mus. Hist. nat., Paris, l re sér., 10 : 233 (1906) ;

Ann. Sci. nat. Zool., 4 (9) : 60-61, pl. 3, fig. 3. • — Borradaile, 1917, Trcins. Linn. Soc. Lond.

(. Zool. ), 17 (2) : 385.

Onycocaris aualitica , Kemp, 1922, Bec. lndian Mus., 24: 278. — Holthuis, 1952, Siboga Exped.

Mon., 39a 10 : 14, 147.

? Onycocaris oligodentata, Fujino and Miyaké, 1969., J. Fac. Agric., Kyushu Unio., 15 (41 : 415-

422. figs. 7, 8 d-f, 9 d-f.

Material examined : 1 1 ovig. Ç. Djibouti, Red Sea. Coll. M. Coutière.

Description

Female

The specimen agréés generally with the descriptions given by Nobili. The rostrum

is verv short, acute, and slightly upturned, and reaching approximately to the level of the

tip of the inferior orbital angle. The eyes are not in a natural position and would probahly

only slightly exceed the tip of the rostrum. The inferior orbital is produced and broadly

acute. The antero-lateral angle of the carapace is also broadly produced. The cornea

of the eye is globular and the stalk does not appear to hâve been particularly quadrate.

The antennular peduncle lias the basal segment witli a rounded disto-lateral angle,

lacking any distinct spine. The intermediate and distal segments présent no spécial fea-

tures. The basicerite of the antennular peduncle is obscured from view but the carpoce-

rite is long, slender and slightly compressed. The scaphocerite has the latéral border

feebly convex. The disto-lateral angle is rounded and lacks a spine. The lamella is about

twice as long as broad.

The mouth parts hâve not been examined.

The first, second and fourth pereiopods are still attached to the body and hâve not

been removed. The first and fourth pereiopods appear to be similar to those of the male

specimen. Both second pereiopods are présent. The chelae are similar but slightly un-

equal in size. The larger right chela has the palm strongly compressed, about twice as long

as high. The dactylus is equal to 0.4 times the length of the palm and is also strongly

compressed with a strongly hooked tip. The eutting edge bears two small subacute teeth

on the proximal half, the distal tooth slightly larger than the proximal. The distal lialf

of the eutting edge bears a row of ten small, suhequal, rounded teeth. Three groups of

long setae arise from the latéral aspect of the dactylus above this row of small teeth. The

Fig. 1. — Onycocaris aualitica (Nobili) $, paratecto-type.

A, anterior carapace, antennae and eyes, dorsal view ; B, anterior carapace, antennae and eyes, latéral

view ; C, scaphocerite ; D, sixth abdominal segment, fifth pair of pleopods, telson and uropods ; E,

riglit second pereiopod ; F, chela of left second pereiopod ; G, ovum.

964

A. J. BRUCE

cutting edge of the fixed finger bears two small blunt teeth on the proximal two fifths.

The central fifth bears a single larger, isolated tooth, while the distal two thirds of the

cutting edge is entire. The disto-lateral aspect of the fixed finger bears a well developed

laminar flange, with a small acute tooth distally. The dactylos, when closed, fits into

the space between this flange and the tip of the fixed finger. The carpus shows no spécial

features. lt is short, about 0.28 of the length of the chela, broadly expanded distally and

unarmed. The merus is robust, dilated centrally, 0.4 times the length of the chela and

with the disto-ventral angle produced to a small acute tooth. The ischium is short and

stout, equal to about 0.4 of the merus and with a large acute disto-ventral tooth. The

basis is robust, subequal to the ischium and unarmed.

The chela of the left second pereiopod is slightly smaller than the right (25 : 27) and

more slender, with relatively slightly longer fingers. The dentition of the Angers is gene-

rally similar to the major chela, but the proximal part of the cutting edge of the fixed

finger bears five small acute distal teeth.

The telson is 1.75 times longer than broad, tapering with feeblv convex sides. Two

pairs of marginal dorsal spines are présent at 0.45 and 0.75 of the telson length. The

dorsal spines are about half the length of the intermediate telson spines. The posterior

margin of the telson is broadly convex and bears three pairs of spines. The latéral pair

are robust, equal to about 0.13 of the telson length. The submedian spines are slightly

shorter than the intermediate spines and are more slender.

The basipodite of the uropod is unarmed. The exopod is broad and exceeds the pos

terior margin of the telson. The latéral border is straight or feebly convex, entire, with

no trace of denticulations, terminating distally in a small acute tooth, with a longer mobile

spine medially. The endopod is also broad, and slightly exceeds the exopod.

The greater diameter of the preserved ova is approximately 0.45 mm.

Male

Distinctly smaller than the female, and less robust.

The rostrum is short, acute, generally similar to the female, and reaching to abou

the middle of the eyestalk. There appears to be no distinct inferior orbital angle and the

antero-lateral angle of the carapace is also not produced.

The eyes are short and stout. The cornea is less than hemispherical and antero-

lateral in situation. The antero-median angle of the eyestalk is subquadrate.

The antennular peduncle is similar to the female, except that the disto-lateral angle

of the basal segment bears a distinct tooth on each side.

The antennal basicerite is unarmed. The carpocerite is compressed. The scapho-

cerite resembles that of the female, except that a distinct disto-lateral tooth is présent

on each side.

A detached first pereiopod is présent. The palm of the chela is subcylindrical, tapering

slightly distally, about 4.3 times longer than wide. The fingers are compressed, about

0.28 times the length of the palm, with entire cutting edges. The carpus is slender, sub-

cylindrical, slightly narrowed proximally and equal to about 1.4 times the length of the

chela. The merus is slightly longer than the carpus, equal to 1.5 times the length of the

TYPE SPECIMENS OF ONYCOCARIS AUALITICA

965

Fig. 2. — Onycocaris aualitica (Nobili) <J, lectotype.

A, anterior carapace, antennae and eyes, dorsal view ; B, anterior carapace, antennae and eyes, latéral

view ; C, sixth abdominal segment, telson and uropods ; D, scaphocerite.

chela. The merus is distinctly shorter than the carpus and merus, about 1.2 times the

length of the chela, and is slightly broadened. Ail segments are unarmed.

The second pereiopod is closely similar to that of the female. The larger chela has

three acute teeth on the cutting edge of the fixed finger. In the smaller chela there are

two blunt teeth. On the dactylus of the smaller chela the proximal teeth are similarly

less acute. On the distal third of the cutting edge six low rounded teeth are présent.

The disto-lateral flange on the fixed finger is well developed and bears three acute teeth

distally.

The carpus, merus and ischium are similar to the female, with a small disto-ventral

tooth on the merus, and a large acute disto-ventral tooth on the ischium.

Some detached ambulatory pereiopods are présent. The (?) third pereiopod is robust....

The dactylus is stout, about 1.6 times longer than its basal width, and with a distinct

966

A. J. BRUCE

slender curved unguis. A well developed, obliquely truncated accessory tooth is présent,

witli four small acute teeth along its distal margin. The proximal ventral border of the

unguis bears a sériés of five small spinules, which increases in size distally. The ventral

border, proximal to the accessory tooth is distinctly convex but without any trace of a

basal process, and bears a sériés of five small acute teeth, of which the central teeth are the

largest. The propod is 3.5 times longer than wide. The disto-ventral angle is provided

with two long simple spines and the ventral border is armed witli four shorter spines. The

Fig. 3. — Onycocaris aualitica (Nobili) çj, lectotype.

A, first pereiopod ; B, chela of First pereiopocl ; C, second pereiopod ; D, chela of second pereiopod ; li,

third pereiopod (?) ; F, propod and dactylus of third pereiopod ; G, propod and dactylus of fifth pereio¬

pod (?).

TYPE SPECIMENS OF ONYCOCARIS AUALITICA

967

carpus is 0.6 times the length of the propod and is unarmed. The merus is 2.3 times longer

than wide and subequal to the propod. The ischium is about 0.8 times the length of the

merus. The carpus, merus and ischium are ail devoid of spines. The (?) fifth pereiopod

is similar to the fourth but generally more slender. The dactylus is about 2.3 times longer

than its basal width. The unguis bears four small proximal spinules. The accessory

tooth bears two acute teeth only and the convex proximal border is armed with four small

acute teeth. The propod is about 4.0 times longer than wide. The disto-ventral angle

bears a single spine, with three shorter spines présent along the ventral margin.

The telson is similar to that of the female but with two marginal dorsal spines présent

on the left side and a single dorsal spine présent, in an intermediate position, on the right.

The posterior telson spines are closely similar to the female.

The uropods are also closely similar to the female. The basipodite is unarmed. The

latéral border of the exopod is entire, feebly convex, terminating distally in a small acute

tooth with a mobile spine proximally.

Types : The male specimen, which is better preserved and less distorted than the

female, is selected as the lectotype specimen.

Discussion

The re-examination of the type specimens enable some dubious points concerning

Onycocaris aualitica (Nobili) to be cleared up. Most of the confusion concerning this spe-

cies lias arisen from Nobili’s statement about the uropods, “ dont les bords sont finement

denticulés ”. It can now be confirmed that the latéral borders of the exopods of the uro¬

pods in both male and female are entire and without any trace of denticulations. As noted

above, the female specimen appears to hâve been preserved dried and pinned as an entomo-

logical specimen. It was presumably in this State when examined by Nobili. This

treatment has resulted in the fifth pair of pleopods being extended posteriorly so that

they lie alongside and ventral to the exopod of the uropod. As they are devoid of setae,

the latéral borders do présent a finely denticulated appearance, more or less in the normal

positions of the exopod of the uropod.

Nobili also reported that the scaphocerite completely lacked a terminal spine. It

is true that this spine is lacking in the female specimen, but its absence appears to be due

to abrasion ratber than natural causes. In the male specimen the disto-lateral spine of

the scaphocerite is quite distinct, although short. It may be noted also that the absence

of a disto-lateral spine on the basal segment of the antennular peduncle in the female,

which is well developed in the male, is probably also due to abrasion.

Comparison of Nobili’s specimens with the description given by Fujino and Miyaké

(1969) of Onycocaris oligodentata, from Kyushu, Japan, shows that this species is very

closely related to, if not synonymous with, O. aualitica. The small différences présent in

the details of the spinulation of the dactyls of the ambulatory pereiopods may probably

be due to either individual or geographical variation. Ilowever, due to the fragile nature

of Nobii.i’s specimens, the mouthparts were not dissected out for examination and camiot

therefore be compared with those of O. oligodentata, which hâve been fully described and

illustrated by Fujino and Miyaké.

968

A. J. BRUCE

LITERATURE CITED

Borradaile, L. A., 1917. — On the Pontoniinae. The Percy Sladen Trust Expédition to the Indian

Océan in 1905, under the leadership of Mr. J. Stanley Gardiner. Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond.

(Zool.) 17 (2) : 323-396, pl. 52-57.

Fujino, T., and S. Miyaké, 1969. — Studies on the genus Onycocaris with descriptions of five

new species (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae). J. Fac. Agric., Kyushu Univ., 15 (4) :

403-448, fig. 1-18.

Holthuis, L. B., 1952. — The Decapoda of the Siboga Expédition. Part XI. Palaemonidae collec-

ted by the Siboga and Snellius Expéditions with remarks on other species. Siboga Exped.

Mon.', 39a 10 : 1-253, fig. 1-110, tab. 1.

Kemp, S., 1922. — Pontoniinae. Notes on Crustacea Decapoda in the Indian Muséum. XV. Rec.

Indian Mus., 24 : 113-288, fig. 1-105, pl. 3-9.

Nobili, G., 1904. — Diagnoses préliminaires de vingt-huit espèces nouvelles de Stomatopodes

et Décapodes Macroures de la Mer Rouge. Bull. Mus. Hist. nat., Paris, l re sér., 10 : 228-

238.

— 1906. — Faune Carcinologique de la Mer Rouge. Décapodes et Stomatopodes. Ann. Sci.

nat., Zool., 4 (9) : 1-347, fig. 1-12, pl. 1-11.

Manuscrit déposé le 15 juin 1972.

Bull. Mus. natn. Hist. nat., Paris, 3 e sér., n° 141, mai-juin 1973,

Zoologie 105 : 961-968.

Achevé d’imprimer le 31 janvier 1974.

IMPRIMERIE NATIONALE

3 564 003 5

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