N. K. Ng

The Complete Larval Development of the Southern Chinese Mitten Crab, Eriocheir Hepuensis Dai, 1991 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Grapsidae) Reared Under Laboratory Conditions

[The complete larval development of the Southern Chinese Mitten Crab, Eriocheir hepuensis Dai, 1991, under laboratory conditions is described and illustrated in detail. The species passed through five zoeal and one megalopa stages at 22°C. The megalopa stage lasted 7-10 days before it metamorphosed to the first crab. The larval differences between E. hepuensis and all the other Eriocheir species are briefly discussed., The complete larval development of the Southern Chinese Mitten Crab, Eriocheir hepuensis Dai, 1991, under laboratory conditions is described and illustrated in detail. The species passed through five zoeal and one megalopa stages at 22°C. The megalopa stage lasted 7-10 days before it metamorphosed to the first crab. The larval differences between E. hepuensis and all the other Eriocheir species are briefly discussed.]

The hydrothermal crab, Xenograpsus testudinatus Ng, Huang & Ho, 2000 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Grapsidae) in southern Japan

Abstract The grapsoid crab Xenograpsus testudinatus N. K. Ng, Huang & Ho, 2000, originally described from northern Taiwan, is recorded for the first time from shallow water thermal vents (3–5 m) in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The Japanese material of X. testudinatus differs slightly from the Taiwanese material in the form of the frontal margin of the carapace, as well as the structure of the chelae, ambulatory legs, and male abdomen, but none of the differences is regarded as significant at the species-level. Genetic studies with mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene support its conspecificity with X. testudinatus.

ORCOVITAMCNEICEAE , A NEW SPECIES OF ANCHIALINE CRAB (BRACHYURA, GRAPSIDAE, VARUNINAE) FROM THE LOYALTY ISLANDS

A new species of varunine crab of the genus Orcovita Ng & Tomascik, 1994, O. mcneiceae sp. nov., is described from the Loyalty Islands. The new species is easily distinguished from congeners by the form of its carapace, chela, ambulatory legs, abdomen and male first pleopod. Une nouvelle espece de crabe Varuninae du genre Orcovita Ng & Tomascik, 1994, O. mcneiceae sp. nov., est decrite des iles Loyautes. La nouvelle espece se distingue aisement de ses congeneres par la forme de sa carapace et par ses chelipedes, pattes ambulatoires, son abdomen et par la premiere patte copulatoire du mâle.

A new genus of varunid crab from the Philippines (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae)

ABSTRACT Hemigrapsus lobulatus Manuel, Gonzales & Basmayor, 1991, a species of varunid crab from the Philippines, is here referred to a new genus. The species is not related to Hemigrapsus Dana, 1851 or its allies but is closer to Pseudograpsus H. Milne Edwards, 1837, Pyxidognathus A. Milne Edwards, 1879, and Scutumara Ng & Nakasone, 1993. It differs from members of those genera in having the dorsal carapace surface distinctly granulated with the regions well demarcated, a male chela which has a patch of granules on the dorsal surface, the presence of setae on the inner surface of the chela, and possession of a long and narrow male abdomen.

The identities of Grapsus nankin Tu, Tu, Wu, Ling & Hsu, 1923, and Grapsus nankin Lin, 1926 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Varunidae)

The brachyuran names Grapsus nankin Tu, Tu,Wu, Ling & Hsu, 1923, and Grapsus nankin Lin, 1926, have not been used as valid names since 1926. Both names, however, are available. There is little doubt that both names are synonymous with Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne Edwards, 1853. The history of these names and the various nomenclatural issues involved are fully discussed. To ensure nomenclatural stability, this chapter designate the lectotype of E. sinensis as the simultaneous neotypes of Grapsus nankin Tu, Tu, Wu, Ling & Hsu, 1923, and Grapsus nankin Lin, 1926. This makes both names objective junior synonyms of E. sinensis . The chapter follows Ng et al. (2008: 228) in recognising six valid species in three genera. Many of the species are important not only commercially. Keywords: Eriocheir sinensis ; Grapsus nankin