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| Fig. 4. Christmaplax mirabilis, new species; paratype female, 8.3 × 11.3 mm, ZRC 2014.0814, in situ.
Photographed by Yoshihisa Fujita.
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Abstract
A new genus and species of cavernicolous pseudozioid crab, Christmaplax mirabilis, is described from Christmas Island, Australia. The new crab was found in a subterranean pool located near the underwater entrance of a marine cave on the northwestern coast of the island. Christmaplax mirabilis has cavernicolous adaptations (e.g., reduced eyes, elongated ambulatory legs and pale colour) and superficially resembles anchialine crabs of the genus Orcovita (Varunidae). The characters of the female gonopores, male gonopods 1 and 2, and male abdomens show that it is a member of the Pseudozioidea. However, Christmaplax mirabilis cannot be placed in any of the three recognised pseudozioid families (Pseudoziidae, Planopilumnidae and Pilumnoididae), requiring the establishment of a new family, Christmaplacidae. The genus Flindersoplax Davie, 1989, previously placed in Pseudoziidae, is also transferred to the Planopilumnidae.
Key words: Taxonomy, Pseudozioidea, new family, new genus, new species, Christmas Island, Australia
Tohru Naruse and Peter K. L. Ng. 2014. A New Family, Genus and Species of Cavernicolous Crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Pseudozioidea) from Christmas Island, Australia. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 30: 263–273
