Contributions to Zoology, 72 (2-3) 83-84 (2003)
SPB Academic Publishing bv, The Hague
An interesting case of homonymy: Notopus de Haan, 1841 (Crustacea,
Raninidae; Recent) and Notopus Leonardi, 1983 (ichnofossil; Devonian)
³ Barry+W.M. van Bakel¹, John+W.M. Jagt² & René+H.B. Fraaije
1 2 Schepenhoek 235, NL-5403 GB Uden, the Netherlands; Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht, de
3 Bosquetplein 6-7, P.O. Box 882, NL-6200 AW Maastricht, the Netherlands; Oertijdmuseum de Groene
Poort, Bosscheweg 80, NL-5283 WB Boxtel, the Netherlands
Keywords: Homonymy, Crustacea, ichnofossils, Notopus
Abstract N. petri, involves an ichnofossil from the Devonian
of Paran-, Brazil (Leeonardi, 1983: 236). Leonard!
Upper Cretaceous strata in the type area of the Maastrichtian interpreted this as the imprint of the left front limb
Stage Netherlands, NE have yielded (SE Belgium) compara- of an amphibian. Roek & Rage (1994), who restudied tively abundant and diverse raninid assemblages (Collins et al., Leonardos .original material, were of the opinion 1995; Fraaye & van Bakel, 1998). To date, seven species are that this ichnofossil taxon did not represent part of known: Eumorphocorystes sculptus, Pseudoraninella muelleri, but rather similar to Lyreidinapyriformis, Raninoides? quadrispinosus,Raniliformis an amphibian trackway, was
asteroid chevrona, Raniliformis prebaltica and Raniliformis occlusa. traces of an or ophiuroid, comparable to
These Maastricht occur mainly from the portion of the Asteriacites upper the ichnofossil genus von Schlotheim. Formation[Emael, Nekum andMeerssen members, Belemnitella Irrespective of the correct assignment of this junior and Belemnella (Neobelemnella) kazimiroviensis bio- ichnotaxon, Notopus Leonard!, 1983 (non de Haan, zones]. is in need of substitute the 1841) a name, more so
with since ichnotaxon names compete (palaeo)zoo-
taxa June Introduction logical (A.K. Rindsberg, pers. comm.,
2001). We here suggest:
The status of two ofthese species, Eumorphocorystes
sculptus and Pseudoraninella muelleri, both as-
Allophylichnus ichnogen. nov. (type ichnospecies: signed to the Notopodinae as now defined(Tucker, Notopus petri) 1998), is currently the subject of a study by van
Bakel, Jagt & Fraaije. For this ongoing project, we Etymology: from the Latin allophylus, meaning have recently conducted a literature search and come “strange” or “foreign”, in reference to the taxonomic, across an interesting case of homonymy, involv- stratigraphic as well as geographic distance between ing the generic name Notopus.
an extant crab genus and a Devonian ichnogenus.
Systematics Acknowledgements
De Haan (1841) erected the genus Notopus, type For exchange ofviews on this matter, we thank R.G. Bromley species N. dorsipes de Haan, for an extant raninid (Geological Institute, Copenhagen), S.K. Donovan (Nationaal from Japanese waters, which Serene & Umali (1972) Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden), D.D. Gillette (Museum of of the subsequently designated type genus subfamily .NorthernArizona, Flagstaff), G. Leonardi (Monterusciello), M.G.
Notopinae [sic] (= Notopodinae). The second in- Lockley (University ofColorado, Denver) and A.K, Rindsberg
troduction of of the name Notopus, type ichnospecies (Geological Survey Alabama, Tuscaloosa). B.M. W. - 84 van Bakel et al. Homonymy o/Notopus
Leonard! G. 1983. References Notopus petri nov. gen., nov. sp.: une
empreinte diamphibien du Devonien au Paran (Bresil).
Geobios 16: 233-239. Collins .ISH, Fraayc RHB & Jagt JWM. 1995. Late Creta- Roek Z, Rage J-C. 1994. The presumed amphibian footprint ceous anomurans and brachyurans from the Maastrichtian Notopus petri from the Devonian: a probable starfish trace type area. Acta palaeont. pol. 40: 165-210. fossil. Lethaia 27: 241-244. dc Haan W. 1833-1850. Crustacea. In: Siebold PF von (ed.). Serene R, Umali AF. 1972. The family Raninidae and other Fauna sive animalium, in itinere Japonica, descriptio quae from the Phil- new and rare species ofbrachyuran decapods et summum per Japoniam, jussu auspiciis superiorum, qui ippines and adjacent regions. Philippine J. Sci. 99 (1970): in India Balava Imperium tenent, suscepto, annis 1823-1830 21-105. collegit, nods, observationibus et adumbralionibus illustravit: Tucker AB. 1998. Systematics of the Raninidae (Crustacea: xii-xvii ix-xvi, vii-xvii, i-xxxi, + 243 pp. Lugdunum with of three Decapoda: Brachyura), accounts new genera Batavorumt: A. Arnz. and two new species. Proc. biol. Soc. Wash. Ill: 320-371. FraayeRHB, Bakel BWM van. 1998. New raninid crabs (Crus-
from the late Maastrichtian of tacea, Decapoda, Brachyura) Received: 5 March 2003 the Netherlands. Geol. Mijnbouw 76: 293-299.