Some Ghost Crabs of the Genus Ocypode
Turk J Zool 31 (2007) 107-112 © TÜB‹TAK
Some Ghost Crabs of the Genus Ocypode (Decapoda: Brachyura: Ocypodidae) from Pakistan’s Waters (Northern Arabian Sea)
Farzana YOUSUF1, Farah ALI1, Quddusi B. KAZMI2 1 Department of Zoology, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270- PAKISTAN 2 Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre, University of Karachi, Karachi – 75270 - PAKISTAN
Received: 12.04.2005
Abstract: The present paper is based on the ghost crabs Ocypode ceratophthalma, O. gaudichaudii, O. macleayana, and O. rotundata, belonging to the Brachyuran genus Ocypode. The specimens were collected from the sandy beach of Sonmiani on the Makran coast. Four species belonging to 1 genus are described in detail and illustrated.
Key Words: Decapoda, Ocypode crabs, Ocypodidae, Pakistan
Introduction Systematics Ocypode, called the ghost crab, is a large genus with Ocypode (Weber, 1795) a worldwide distribution in all oceans from the tropical Carapace squarish; folded longitudinally. Eye-stalks and subtropical coasts, from the American Atlantic, large, moderately stout, cornea large covering much of through the Mediterranean and Red Sea, to the American lower surface of eyestalk usually subterminal and Pacific and Indo-Pacific region. The 3 species, namely reaching toward base of eyestalk. No flagellum on Ocypode kuhlii de Hann, 1835 recorded from a sandspit, exopodite of outer maxilliped. Chelipeds well developed, another species Ocypode ceratophtalma (Pallas, 1772) unequal but noticeably different on either side or in either recorded from Dongi Island and Ocypode rotundata sex. The dactylus is fairly long, straight, pointed or blunt, (Ortmann, 1898) from Dongi and Manora Island, were it bears a longitudinal sulcus, dactylus is also important first recorded by Hashmi (1962, 1963, 1968) and taxonomically. Tirmizi and Kazmi (1986), respectively. After this no attention has been paid to this genus and no noticeable work has been done on them. The specimens are housed Key to Species of the Pakistani Ocypode in the repository of the Museum of the Department of 1- Carapace squarish, greatest breadth about a tenth Zoology, University of Karachi. more than its greatest length.…………....……..2
- Carapace is less distinctly quadrilateral Materials and Methods anterolateral borders are arched. ……...... ….… 3 The material on which the present study was based 2- Protopodites of first 2 pairs of pereiopods have was collected from Sonmiani beach on the Makran coast. conspicuous brush of hairs ………………..(Figures Collecting was performed from April to September 2003, 1a-c, 2a-e). O. ceratophthalma at low tide once a month. Crabs were preserved by narcotizing them in chloroform and then preserving them - Thick brush of hair along the anterior surface of in 6% formalin. Keys given by Faxon (1895), Alcock protopodite of the first pairs of pereiopods only (1900), Chappgar (1956), Vannini and Valmori (1981) ………………………...... ………….….4 and Cannicci et al. (1993) were followed for species in 3- Chelipeds stout, somewhat unequal, rough finger with the present collection. truncate ends...(Figures 3a-d, 4a-d). O. gaudichaudii.
107 Some Ghost Crabs of the Genus Ocypode (Decapoda: Brachyura: Ocypodidae) from Pakistan’s Waters (Northern Arabian Sea)
- Chelipeds smooth, fingers, finely Zur, Biol, Amphib. Decap., p. 17 (Mitg.K.Ges. Wiss. toothed....…(Figures 5a-e , 6a-d). O. macleayana. Upsala, 1893); Ortmann, Zool. Jahrb, Syst. X. 1898: 360, 364 (ubi synon). 4- Dactyli of the pereiopods are dorso-ventrally compressed …… (Figures 7a-e, 8a-d). O. rotundata. Material: 1 Adult Female, Locality: Sonmiani, Makran Coast, Carapace length: 67 mm. Carapace width: 59 mm. Description: Carapace (Figure 1a) squarish, broader Results than long, anterior corners flattened; front between the Ocypode ceratophthalma (Pallas, 1772) (Figures 1a- eyes narrow, bent down. Eyestalks large, elongated, c, 2a-f). prolonged beyond the cornea in a slender style. Cancer ceratophthalmus Pallas, specilegia Zool. IX. Antennules attached below the eyes (Figure 1b). Each P.83, antennule consists of a 3-segmented peduncle, the coxopodite and a 2-segmented basiopodite. Distal PL.V. Figs. 7. 8; Cancer Cursor, Herbst, Krabhen, I.li.74, pl.i. Figs.8, 9. Ocypoda ceratophthalma Fabricius, segment of basiopodite bears whip-like flagella. Third Ent. Syst. Suppl. P.347: Milne Edwards, Hist. Nat. Crust. maxilliped pediform, basis large and distinct with ischium 11 48, and Cuvier Reque An. Crust. Pl.17; Kingsley, by a line and then distinct into merus, carpus, propodus proc, Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad,1888, p.179; Miers, Ann. Mag. and then dactylus. All segments fringed with setae. Nat. Hist (5) X, 1882, pp. 378, 379: C.W.S, Aurivillius, Exopodite long, slender and unsegmented. Granules present on third maxilliped, which have taxonomic importance (Figure 1c). Abdomen (Figure 2a) somewhat slender, broad with 6 somites. Chelipeds stout (Figure 2b, 2c) somewhat unequal, rough; fingers with truncate ends. Ambulatory pereiopods third and fourth (Figure 2d, 2e) long finely roughened. Gonopod of female (Figure 2f) slender. These species are widely distributed from California to Chile and in the Arabian Sea near Sonmiani, Makran coast, Pakistan, especially on sandy beaches. Ocypode gaudichaudii H. Milne Edwards and Lucas, 1843 (Figures 3a-d, 4a-d). Milne Edwards and Lucas. in D’Orbigny’s Voy. Dans a Amer. Mer., 6, pt.1, p. 26, 1843, pl. 11, figs. 4-4b, 1847; Rathbun, II. A. E., 10, 190,1904; Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 38, 550, pl. 43, fig. 2, 1918; Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., 97, 373, pl. 63. 1 mm
0.25 mm a Material: Two individual adult males were obtained. Locality: Sonmiani, Makran coast, Carapace length: 64 b c mm. Carapace width: 56-64 mm. Description: Carapace (Figure 3a) same as that in O. b ceratophthalmus, squarish, broader than long. Antennules as illustrated in Figure 3b. Chelipeds stout c (Figure 3c, 3d, 3e) somewhat unequal, rough; fingers with truncate ends. Ambulatory pereiopods (Figure 4b, 4c) long finely roughened. Abdomen (Figure 4a) Figure 1. Ocypode ceratophthalma. Adult female, a, dorsal view; b, somewhat slender and elongated with 6 somites. antennule; c, third maxilliped. Gonopod of male (Figure 4d) also slender.
108 F. YOUSUF, F. ALI, Q. B. KAZMI
e 0.25 mm bcdef
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f 0.1 mm 0.25 mm a bcd d
Figure 2. Ocypode ceratophthalma . Adult female, a, abdomen dorsal Figure 3. Ocypode gaudichaudii. Adult male: a, dorsal view; b, view; b, first pereiopod or chela. (left side); c, first pereiopod antennule; c, first pereiopod or chela (left side); d, first or chela. (right side); d, second pereiopod; e, third pereiopod or chela (right side). pereiopod; f, gonopod.
Distribution, same as that of Ocypode almost straight. Cornea at the end of peduncle overhung ceratophthalmus, from California down to Chile and in by a process of the latter (Figures 5a, 5b). Third the Arabian Sea near Sonmiani, Makran coast, Pakistan, maxilliped as illustrated in Figure 5c, granules on the especially on sandy beaches. basis and ischium. Chelipeds (Figure 5d) shorter than Ocypode macleayana Hess, 1865 (Figures 5a-e, 6a-d). pereiopod and remarkably unequal, larger one being much greater in size, dactylii of 4 posterior pereiopods Hess, Archiv fur Naturg, Band XXXI.P. 143, pl .vi, (Figures 4a, 4b) very long; pereiopods with dark bands. fig.8 1865. Anterior second and third pereiopods (Figures 6b, 6c) Material: One adult male. Locality: Sonmiani, Makran very small, Abdomen (Figure 6a) spatulate, granules are coast, Carapace length: 67 mm. Carapace width: 67 mm. present on all segments, each joint of the abdomen with Description: Carapace (Figure 5a) broader than long, 2 red spots. Gonopod described and illustrated in Figure anterolateral border has short granular ridges and 6d. Widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific, especially also considerably serrated margins. One eye’s styliform found on sandy beaches. smaller than other. Upper orbital border slightly curved,
109 Some Ghost Crabs of the Genus Ocypode (Decapoda: Brachyura: Ocypodidae) from Pakistan’s Waters (Northern Arabian Sea)
b c 0.1 mm
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bcde 0.5 mm e d a a
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Figure 4. Ocypode gaudichaudii. Adult male: a, abdomen dorsal view; Figure 5. Ocypode mecleayana . Adult male: a, dorsal view; b, b, second pereiopod; c, third pereiopod; d, gonopod. antennule; c, third maxilliped; d, first pereiopod or chela (left side); e, first pereiopod or chela (right side).
Ocypode roduntada (Miers, 1882) (Figures 7a-e, 8a- in juveniles. Antennules as illustrated in Figure 7b. Third d). maxilliped pediform and as illustrated in Figure 7c. All Ortmann, 1898; Ocypode rotundata Miers, Ann. segments including merus, carpus, propodus and dactylus Mag. Nat. Hist (5) fringed with setae, granules scattered. Fingers of smaller cheliped (Figures 7d-7e) almost as much dilated at the tip X.1882; 378, Ann. Zool. Jahrb Syst., 1898: 360- as those concealed in hairs, and each ridge sharply 364. serrated. Scraper on ischium placed near upper angle of Material: 3 individuals were obtained: 2 adult males, inner face of joint. First and second pereiopods (Figures Locality; Sonmiani, Makran coast, Carapace length: 58-67 7d, 7e) of males have a double brush of hair on lower mm; Carapace width: 48-67 mm. 1 adult female, face of propodus. Meropodites of second and third pairs Carapace length: 60-67 mm. of pereiopods not so broad (Figures 8b, 8c). In female a Description: Carapace (Figure 7a) less distinctly single brush of hairs on first and barely visible on second quadrilateral, antero-lateral borders and arched, instead pereiopod. Abdomen (Figure 8a) with 6 segments. of forming an angle with upper border of the orbit. Gonopods paired situated on coxae of fifth pereiopods as Eyestalks have a long styliform straight process missing illustrated in Figure 8d. Distribution in the Indo-Pacific and Persian Gulf. Found on sandy beaches.
110 F. YOUSUF, F. ALI, Q. B. KAZMI
b 1 mm c bcd
a 0.25 mm
bcd b c
d
a 0.5 mm d 0.25 mm e bcde
Figure 6. Ocypode macleayana. Adult male: a, abdomen dorsal view; b, Figure 7. Ocypode roduntada. Adult male: a, dorsal view; b, antennule; second pereiopod; c, third pereiopod; d, gonopod. c, third maxilliped; d, first pereiopod or chela (left side); e, first pereiopod or chela (right side).
Discussion granules. The length of the stridulating organ of the large Four specimens of the genus Ocypode were collected palm is greater in length, and it is more than the greatest from Sonmiani beach 25º23' N 066º33' E on 22 breath of the palm. The first 3 pairs of pereiopods have February 2003 and during a second trip on 17 broadened merus. September 2003 at low tide. Ocypode gaudichaudii differs by having flattened Ocypode rotundata differs from Ocypode anterior corners of the carapace, and stout, rough cerratophthalma in having rounded antero-lateral angles chelipeds. Fingers have truncate ends. Its ambulatory of the carapace. The spines or serrations at the inner pereiopods are long and finally roughened. angle of the wrist are more numerous and at the outer Ocypode macleayana differs by having upper orbital angle are better marked. The meropodites of the first 3 broader slightly curved, almost straight. Cornea at the pairs of pereiopod are not as broad as in other species of end of the peduncle is overhung by a process of the latter. Ocypode. The length of the stridulating organ is much less Dactyli of the 4 posterior pereiopods are very long. The than half the greatest height of the palm. thorax is darker and spotted. It is identified by each joint Ocypode ceratophthalma differs by having of the abdomen having 2 red spots. The pereiopods have pronounced anterolateral angles of the carapace. The darker bands. The present study is based on 4 species of merus and ischium of the external maxillipeds have their Ocypode; this study will be useful in determining the exposed surface circumscribed by a raised row of taxonomic status of the species.
111 Some Ghost Crabs of the Genus Ocypode (Decapoda: Brachyura: Ocypodidae) from Pakistan’s Waters (Northern Arabian Sea)
Acknowledgments We are grateful especially to Maria de Claderom from Smithsonian Environmental Research Centre, USA, for sending us literature not available and for her readiness to help. Our thanks go to Dr. Shane T. Ahyoung, Department of Marine Invertebrates, Sydney, Australia, c for support in preparing this work. We are indebted to b Prof. Dr. Gustavo Augusto S. de Melo, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sp. for making valuable suggestions. Also, our deepest gratitude goes to Dr. Javed Mustaqeem, Professor of Centre of Marine Excellence, University of 0.25 mm bca Karachi, for giving help and guidance in making drawings, offering criticism and giving valuable suggestions.
d 0.5 mm
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Figure 8. Ocypode roduntada. Adult male: a, abdomen dorsal view; b, second pereiopod; c, third pereiopod, d, gonopod.
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