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Issue: Vol. 5807 No. 1: 8 May 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-05-08
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.3
Page range: 85-108
Abstract views: 122
PDF downloaded: 28

Southwestern Atlantic species of Austinixa Heard & Manning, 1997 (Brachyura, Pinnotheridae): redescription of A. leptodactyla (Coelho, 1997) and A. patagoniensis (Rathbun, 1918), and remarks on the taxonomic status of A. aidae (Righi, 1967)

Laboratório de Bioecologia e Sistemática de Crustáceos (LBSC); Departamento de Biologia; Faculdade de Filosofia; Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP); Universidade de São Paulo (USP); Av. Bandeirantes 3900; Monte Alegre; Ribeirão Preto; São Paulo; 14040-901; Brazil.
Laboratório de Bioecologia e Sistemática de Crustáceos (LBSC); Departamento de Biologia; Faculdade de Filosofia; Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP); Universidade de São Paulo (USP); Av. Bandeirantes 3900; Monte Alegre; Ribeirão Preto; São Paulo; 14040-901; Brazil.; Laboratório de Biologia e Ecologia de Camarões Marinhos e de Água Doce (LABCAM); Departamento de Ciências Biológicas; Faculdade de Ciências; Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” (UNESP); Av. Engenheiro Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube 14-01; Vargem Limpa; Bauru; São Paulo; 17033-360; Brazil.
Laboratório de Bioecologia e Sistemática de Crustáceos (LBSC); Departamento de Biologia; Faculdade de Filosofia; Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP); Universidade de São Paulo (USP); Av. Bandeirantes 3900; Monte Alegre; Ribeirão Preto; São Paulo; 14040-901; Brazil.
Crustacea Brazil morphological data Pinnixinae species distribution taxonomic review

Abstract

The genus Austinixa is one of the most studied pinnotherid genera from both taxonomic and phylogenetic perspectives. However, the three species from the southwestern Atlantic, A. aidae, A. leptodactyla and A. patagoniensis have been underrepresented or absent from phylogenetic analyses. Recently, A. leptodactyla was redescribed and A. roblesi was determined to be its junior synonym. We have analyzed specimens belonging to all three species and constructed a rediagnosis and redescription of A. leptodactyla and A. patagoniensis. The distribution of A. aidae is restricted to southern São Paulo (Brazil), given that no specimens from any localities further south of this area were found. Austinixa leptodactyla is distinct from A. roblesi, and although they share several morphological characteristics, we propose herein that the latter it is not a junior synonym of A. leptodactyla. These two species, along with A. marianae, are very similar with all possessing a depression on the pereopod 4 merus. Austinixa leptodactyla can be distinguished from A. marianae by the shape of the male pleon and first male gonopod, and from A. roblesi by the shape and proportions of the male telson. Lastly, the morphology of A. patagoniensis is very distinct from that of all other species of the genus, including the branchial ridge that extends to the orbits or nearly so, and the overall morphology of the first male gonopod.

 

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How to Cite

Balbino, F.C., Tamburus, A.F. & Mantelatto, F.L. (2026) Southwestern Atlantic species of Austinixa Heard & Manning, 1997 (Brachyura, Pinnotheridae): redescription of A. leptodactyla (Coelho, 1997) and A. patagoniensis (Rathbun, 1918), and remarks on the taxonomic status of A. aidae (Righi, 1967). Zootaxa, 5807 (1), 85–108. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5807.1.3