On the identities of Pinnotheres villosissimus Doflein, 1904, P. dofleini Lenz, in Lenz & Strunck, 1914, and P. pilumnoides Nobili, 1906 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae) from the western Indian Ocean

Abstract

Abstract Doflein (1904) accidentally transposed the figures for the third maxillipeds of two species of pinnotherid crabs he described, a mistake which has taxonomic consequences. The species he described, Pinnotheres villosissimus Doflein, 1904, from Sumatra, is here referred to its own genus, Trichobezoares n. gen. The specimen Doflein identified as “Pinnotheres sp.” from South Africa was referred to a new species, Pinnotheres dofleini by Lenz (in Lenz & Strunck, 1914) partly based on Doflein’s (1904) incorrect figure of the third maxilliped. To stabilize the taxonomy of this species, Doflein’s specimen is selected as the lectotype; fixing the species as a member of Afropinnotheres Manning, 1993. Pinnotheres pilumnoides Nobili, 1906 (Djibouti) was differentiated from the taxon T. villosissimus partially on differences in the third maxilliped. It is redescribed, figured and shown to be a second species of Trichobezoares. The correct authorship for the species established in Lenz & Strunck (1914) is also discussed.