Four Xanthid crabs, namely Euxanthus exsculptus (Herbst), Halimede ochtodes (Herbst), Medaeops edwardsi Guinot, and Neolimera intermadia Odhner, previously not known from the northern Arabian Sea are being reported. Each species is briefly described and illustrated

Ghani, N.

Tirmizi, N.M.

Aquatic Commons

Pakistan Journal of Marine 'Sciences, Vol.1(1), 37-47, 1992 
OCCURRENCE OF FOUR XANTHID (BRACHYURA) CRABS 
IN KARACHI WATERS (NORTHERN ARABIAN SEA) 
Naseem Ghani and Nasima M. Tirmizi 
Marine Reference Collection Centre, University of Karachi, Karachi~ 75270, Pakistan. 
ABSTRACT: Four Xanthid crabs, namely Euxanthus exsculptus (Herbst), Halimede ochtodes (Herbst), 
Medaeops edwardsi Guinot, and Neolimera intermadia Odhner, previously not known from the northern 
Arabian Sea are being reported. Each species is briefly described and illustrated. 
KEY WORDS: New records - xanthid crabs -Karachi coast. 
INTRODUCfiON 
While stU<Jying the crab fauna inhabiting Karachi waters nearly 130 species have 
been obtained. Of these four species of the family Xanthidae were not previously 
reported, which are, Euxanthus exsculptus (Herbst, 1790) Halimede ochtodes (Herbst, 
1783), Medaeops edwardsi Guinot, 1967 and Neolimera intermedia Odhner, 1925. 
Euxanthus exsculptus is known from Pacific, in Indian Ocean from Sri Lanka, Anda-
mans and Mauritius, present record has extended its range of distribution southwards. 
Halimede ochtodes was recorded from Pacific, in Indian Ocean from Madras, East of 
India and also from Persian Gulf, and Red Sea, the present record fills the gap 
between Persian Gulf and East of India; Medaeops edwardsi is distributed in Indian 
Ocean, it was recorded from Malabar and Madagascar, its range of distribution also 
extended northwards. The genus Neolimera is known from Japan and Philippines, 
this is the first record from Pakistan. The abbreviations used are cl: for total carapace 
length; cb: for maximum carapace breadth; MRCC: for Marine Reference Collection 
Centre; ZSD: for Zoological Survey Department, Pakistan; and BM: for British 
Museum, London. 
SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNT 
Euxanthus exsculptus (Herbst, 1790) 
(Figs.1 and 2) 
Cancer exsculptus Herbst, 1790, p.265, pl.21, fig.121. 
Euxanthus exsculptus Urita, 1926, p.13; Sakai, 1976, p.415, pl.150, fig.l. (synonymy). 
MATERIALS AND MEASUREMENTS: 
MRCC Material, Buleji, 25 May 1982, 1 male, cl.29 mm, cb.43 mm; 3 females, c1.28-
33 mm, cb.40-48 mm; Buleji, 4 November 1983, cl.30 mm, cb.41 mm. BM Material, 
Buleji, undated, 1 male, cl.20 mm, cb.29 mm. ZSD Material, Buleji, undated, 1969, 1 
1p.ale, cl.30 mm, cb.42.5 mm. 
38 Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol.l(l), 1992. 
DESCRIPTIVE REMARKS: 
Euxanthus exsculptus agrees well with the description of this species. The following 
brief account is based on the Pakistani material. 
The carapace (Fig. 1A) is much broader than long. It is profusely divided into 
regions and subregions, each with rounded lobes and each lobe has many pits and 
ridges; the anterolateral borders are each cut into five rounded teeth, and are crested. 
The front is about a fifth of the greatest breadth of the carapace and is bilobed. The 
supra-orbital margin and the inner angle of the lower orbital margin are tumid. The 
remaining orbital margin is very low and forms an unbroken curve, except one suture 
line. The eyestalks are short and thick. 
The third maxilliped (Figs.1B and 2A) is granular; the ischium is grooved longitudi-
nally and is larger than the merus; the exopod is broad. The pterygostomian region is 
provided with fur and granules. The sternum is with lobes similar to those on the 
carapace. 
The chelipeds (Fig.1C) are equal in both the sexes, stouter than the legs, and are 
provided with lobes and ridges. The fingers are spooned and with sharp teeth on the 
cutting edges. The legs (Fig.1D) are with distinct lobes, the dactyli are of good length, 
each ending in a horny claw. 
The male abdomen (Fig.2B) is five segmented, third to fifth segments are fused, 
however, the sutures of the third and fifth segments are visible, all the segments both 
in males and females (Fig.1E) are with raised medially placed lobes. In females the 
abdomen is seven segmented (Fig.1E), all the segments are clearly marked. However, 
in two females the abdomen (Fig.1F) is narrow like that of the male. 
The first male gonopod (Figs.2C,C' and D) is slender and curved, the apex is trun-
cated and provided with spinules. A long seta at the tip is visible. 
COLOUR: 
Reddish brown with dark blotches on epigastric, hepatic and branchial regions; the 
inner surfaces of the chelipeds are white, fingers are brown; the specimens are with 
white streaks ventrally on the sternites. One specimen from the same loclity is olive 
green with redish brown blotches. 
HABIT AND HABITAT: 
Live under stones on rocky shores. 
DISTRIBUTION: 
Indo-Pacific, Japan, Philippines, Samoa, New Caledonia, Australia, Fiji, Gaspar, Sri 
Lanka, Andamans, Mauritius; this is the first record from Pakistan. 
Ghani and Tirmizi: Xanthid crabs in Karachi waters 39 
Fig.l. Euxanthus excsculptus (Herbst, 1790). Female, ·cl.33 mm, cb.48 mm; A. carapace, 
dorsal view; B. left third maxilliped, outer view; C. left cheliped, outer view; D. 
right fifth leg, outer view; E. abdomen; F. abdomen, female, cl.28 mm, cb.40 mm. 
.tO Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol.1(1), 1992 . 
A 
c 
Fig.2. Euxanthus exsculptus (Herbst, 1790). Male, cl.29 mm, cb.3 mm; A. carapace, 
ventral view; B. abdomen; C. right first gonopod, abdominal view; C'. tip of the 
same, further enlarged, sternal view; D. same,- abdominal view. 
Ghani and Tirmizi: Xanthid crabs in Karachi waters 
Halimede ochtodes (Herbst, 1783) 
(Fig.3) 
Cancer ochtodes Herbst, 1783, p.158, pl.8, fig.54. 
Halimede ochtodes Rathbun, 1910, p.353, pl.l, fig.4; Sakai, 1976, p.387, textfig. 208b 
(synonymy). 
MATERIALS AND MEASUREMENTS: 
41 
MRCC Material, Karachi Fish Harbour, 10 April1975, 1 male, cl.22.5 mm, cb.29 
mm. Gharo Creek (commercial catch), 26 February 1991, 1 male, cl.27 mm, cb.36.5 
mm. 
DESCRIPTIVE REMARKS: 
The specimens at hand agree well with the description given by Alcock (1898), as 
can be seen from the following account. 
The carapace (Fig.3A) is broader than long, oval, pentagonal. The front is pro-
nounced, square cut, consisting of two lappets separated by a distinct cleft. The dorsal 
surface of the carapace is provided with lobes separated by broad shallow depressions. 
The regions are indistinct. The anterolateral borders are each divided into four 
rounded lobes, which are distinct and decrease in size (from posterior to anterior), 
and continued beneath the lobe-like orbital angle. 
The chelipeds are subequal, the right is slightly larger (Fig.3B). Both chelipeds are 
with lobes and tomentum (Fig.3C) similar to that on the anterolateral surface of the 
carapace. The ischia of the chelipeds are each provided with fine teeth on the inner 
margin. The fingers are provided with teeth on their cutting edges. 
The walking legs are each with tomentum on the outer distal margin of the propo-
dus and on the outer margin of the dactylus. The inner margins of the dactyli are with 
bristles, each ends in a claw. The outer margin of the meri are with tubercles. 
The third maxilliped (Fig.3E) is provided with tubercles on the merus, a few tuber-
cles are also seen on the ischium and the exopod, distally; the ischium is larger than 
the merus and is grooved longitudinally. 
The male abdomen (Fig.3D) is seven segmented, all the segments are clearly 
marked, the last segment is tongue-shaped. The first male gonopod (Fig.3F) is slen-
der, gradually tapering distally, a row of minute spines can be seen on the inner 
margin while the outer margin is setose proximally. The second gonopod (Fig.3G) is 
normal and with a laminate tip which is provided with setae and very minute spines. 
COLOUR: 
Preserved specimen light brown with dark setae; live specimen rust, generally pale 
and in bands on the walking legs. 
HABIT AND HABITAT: 
Inhabits the bottoms of mud or sandy mud 20-50m deep (Sakai, 1976). 
42 Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol.1(1), 1992. 
G 
Fig.3. Halimede ochtodes (Herbst, 1783). Male, cl.22.5 rnrn, cb.29.0 rnm; A. specimen, 
dorsal view; B. right cheliped, outer view; C. distal part of same, upper view; D. 
abdomen; E. third maxilliped, outer view; F. first gonopod, sternal view; G. 
second gonopod, sternal view. 
Ghani and Tirmizi: Xanthid crabs in Karachi waters 43 
DISTRIBUTION: 
Indo-Pacific, Japan, Hong Kong, Gulf of Thailand, Singapore, Penang, Madras 
coast, East of India, Persian Gulf, Red Sea and now for the first time from Pakistan. 
Medaeops edwardsi Guinot, 1967 
(Fig.4) 
Medaeops edwardsi Guinot, 1967, p.369, fig.33, 42; Serene, 1984:p.92 (synonymy) 
MATERIALS AND MEASUREMENTS: 
MRCC Material, between Hawkes Bay and Buleji, 26 October 1980, 2 males, cl.16-
17 mm, cb.24-24.5 mm, 1 female, cl.19 mm, cb.27.5 mm. Buleji, 6 December 1980, 1 
male, cl.21.5 mm, cb.31.5 mm, 2 females, cl.16.2-19.5 mm, cb.24-30 mm. Jiwani, 
November 1977; 3 females, cl.19-22.5 mm, cb.29-35 mm, Manora, 29 October 1978, 1 
female berried, cl.21.5 mm, cb.31 mm. Cape Monze, 20 May 1981, 1 female, cl.16 
mm, cb.24 mm. 
DESCRIPTIVE REMAKRS: 
The carapace (Fig. 4A) is broader than long, the regions are well marked. The 
dorsal surface of the carapace is thickly wrinkled with transverse granular and tomen-
tose ridges, these ridges are more numerous than on the carapace of M. granulosus, 
the anterolateral margins are serrated and without teeth. The front is somewhat 
narrow, divided into two lappets by a median notch, the anterior margin of the front is 
concave. 
The ventral side of the body is tomentose and granular. The third maxilliped (Fig. 
4B) is more or less like that of M. granulosus. 
The chelipeds (Fig.4C) are subequal, mostly the right one is the larger. They are 
slightly weaker in females than in the males. The outer surfaces of the chelipeds are 
tomentose and wrinkled, as seen on the carapace, the lower outer surfaces of the 
propodus are each with rosettes of granules, the inner angle of the propodus is pro-
duced into a blunt spine. 
The male abdomen is five segmented the third to fifth segments are fused. The first 
male gonopod (Figs. 4D,E and E') is spiny and setose, the distal inner surface is with 
long setae which are plumose, on the tips a finger-like projection is present subdistal-
ly. The second gonopod is normal. 
COLOUR: 
Light brown; chelipeds pale, fingers dark brown. 
HABIT AND HABITAT: 
Lives under stones on rocky shores. 
DISTRIBUTION: 
Indian Ocean, Malabar (India), Madagascar, this is the first record from Pakistan. 
44 Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol.1(1), 1992. 
~ 
E 
A 
Fig. 4. Medaeops edwardsi Guinot, 1967. Male, cl.20 mm, cb.31 mm; A. carapace and 
left cheliped, dorsal view; B. right third maxilliped, outer view; C. right cheliped, 
outer view; D. left first pleopod, sternal view; E. tip of the same, abdominal view 
(setae omitted); E'. Same, sternal view. 
Ghani and Tirmizi: Xanthid crabs in Karachi waters 
Neolimera intermedia Odhner, 1925 
(Fig.5) 
45 
Neolimera intennedia Odhner, 1925, p.29, pl.2, fig.8. Sakai, 1976, p.399, pl.142, fig.3 
(synonymy). 
MATERIALS AND MEASUREMENTS: 
MRCC Material, Pasni, 8 March 1985, 1 male, cl.22 mm, cb.35 mm, 1 female, cl.20 
mm; cb.31 mm; Sonari, 15 June 1991, 1 male, cl.26 mm~ cb.41 mm, 1 female, cl.8.5 
mm, cb.11 mm. 
DESCRIPTIVE REMARKS: 
Neolimera intennedia is a medium sized crab, rather rare, in the present collection 
it is represented by only two specimens. 
The carapace (Fig.5A) is broader than long, transversely oval; the regions are more 
or less defined. The dorsal surface of the carapace is covered with granules, which 
are mroe pronounced anteriorly. As described by Sakai (1939:479) these granules 
bear several very short hairs mainly at the anterior base, the hairs become thicker and 
longer towards the anterior and anterolateral borders. 
The third maxillipeds (Fig.5B) do not close the buccal caveren completely. 
The chelipeds (Fig. 5C) are equal and covered with granules and short setae. The 
female chelipeds are much weaker than those of the male. The fingers (Fig.5D) are 
pointed and provided with denticles on the cutting margins. The legs are also with 
granules. 
The abdomen of male is five segmented, third to fifth segments are fused. 
The first male gonopod (Figs.5E and E') is slender, curved outwardly, provided with 
long plumose setae and several rows of spinules, distally; the tip is spoon-shaped and 
serrated on the inner margin. The second male gonopod is normal (Fig.5F). 
COLOUR: 
Live specimens are pale orange, fingers of cheliped are dark brown. 
HABIT AND HABITAT: 
Lives under stones on rocky shore. 
DISTRIBUTION: 
Indo-Pacific. Previously known from Japan and Philippines. The present specimens 
offer the first record of the species and the genus from the Arabian Sea. 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
We thank Dr. R.B. Manning of Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. for read-
ing the Manuscript and giving suggestions. Dr. D.Guinot of Museum National, 
D'Histoire Naturelle, France is thanked for her continuous help in the study of crabs. 
Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Vol.1(1), 1992. 
8 
E 
/ 
Fig.5. Neolimera intemzedia Odhner, 1925. Male, cl.22 mm, cb.35 mni; A. carapace, 
dorsal view; B. right third maxilliped, outer view; C. distal part of right cheliped, 
outer view; D. fingers of the same, inner view; E. right first gonopod, abdominal 
view; E'. tip of the same, further enlarged and denuded; F. right second gonopod 
sternal view. 
Ghani and Tirmizi: Xanthid crabs in Karachi waters 47 
REFERENCES 
Guinot, D. 1967. La fauna carcinologique (Crustacea Brachyura) de !'ocean lndien occidental et de Ia 
Mer Rouge: Catalogue, remarques biogeographiques et bibliographie. In Reunion de specialistes 
C.S.A. sur Ia Crustaces C.S.A. Specialist Meeting on Crustaceans), Zanzibar, 19-26 IV 1964 Organiza-
tion of African Unity Publication 96:235-352. 
Herbst, J.F.W. 1782-1804. Versuch einer Naturgeschichte der Krabben und Krebse .. nebst einer systematischen 
Beschreibung ihrer verschiedenen Arten. Volumes 1-3. Berlin and Stralsund. Pp.1-515. 
Odhner, T. 1925. Monographicrte Gattungen der Krabbenfamilie Xanthidae. I. Goteborgs Kung!. vet. 
Japan Researches on Crustacea, No.1:18-19. 
Rathbun, M.J. 1910. Brachyura. The Danish Expedition to Siam 1899-1900, V. In D.K. Vid. Sals. Sk. 7. 
Raekka, Naturvidenskabaligeg Mathematisk Afdeling4: 301-367. 
Sakai, T. 1939. Studies on the crabs of Japan. IV: Brachygnatha, Brach}'l·hyncha. Yokendo, Tokyo. Pp.365-
741 
Sakai, T. 1976. Crabs of Japan and the Adjacent Seas. Kodansha Ltd. Tokyo. Pp.1-773. 
Serene, R. 1984. Crustaces Decapodes, Brach;vures de .• J'oceaJI. Coccidental et de Ia Mer rouge. Xanthoidea, 
Xanthidae et Trapeziidae. Addendum Carpilidae et. Menippidae. Alain Crosnier, lnstitut Francais. De. 
Recherche Cientifique Pour. Le. Developpement. Et. La Cooperation. Pp.1-400. 
Urita, T. 1926. A check list of Brachyura found in Kagashima Pref., Japan. The Tsingtae Times, 
Tsin$ae.:1-40. 


Occurrence of four Xanthid (Brachyura) crabs in Karachi waters (northern Arabian Sea)

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Occurrence of four Xanthid (Brachyura) crabs in Karachi waters (northern Arabian Sea)

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