Neolithodes bronwynae

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Neolithodes bronwynae
Neolithodes bronwynae front view.jpg
Neolithodes bronwynae dorsal.jpg
Status NZTCS NU.svg
Naturally Uncommon (NZ TCS) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Anomura
Family: Lithodidae
Genus: Neolithodes
Species:
N. bronwynae
Binomial name
Neolithodes bronwynae
Ahyong, 2010 [2]

Neolithodes bronwynae, commonly known as the rock crab, [3] [4] is a species of king crab that is found in the West Pacific. [5]

Contents

Description

Neolithodes bronwynae is deep-red in colour and has a pyriform carapace having been measured as large as 220.0 mm (8.66 in) in length and 155.9 mm (6.14 in) in width. [6] The dorsal surfaces of its carapace, chelipeds, and walking legs are covered in long, slender spines with granules inbetween. [7] Long spines cover its second abdominal segment, while the rest are covered in spines or nodules. [8]

Description

Neolithodes bronwynae has been found in the Whakatane Seamount in the Bay of Plenty, the Lord Howe Rise near Lord Howe Island, eastern Australia, and possibly New Caledonia. [9] [10] In 2025, it was identified in the Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain's Koko Guyot and Yuryaku Seamount. [11] It has been found at depths of 1,245–2,643 metres (4,085–8,671 ft). [11] [12]

Taxonomy

Neolithodes bronwynae was described in 2010 by carcinologist Shane T. Ahyong from a male holotype taken from the Whakatane Seamount. [13] Its specific name, "bronwynae", is after Bronwyn Ahyong. [8] It most closely resembles N. vinogradovi and N. duhameli. [8]

See also

References

  1. Funnell et al. 2023, p. 24.
  2. Ahyong 2010, pp. 83–89.
  3. "Think twice before adding these to your seafood cocktail!". Marine Biodiversity Hub. National Environmental Science Programme. 30 May 2017. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  4. "Deep-sea survey of Australian marine parks reveals striking species". Mongabay . 19 December 2018. Archived from the original on 29 August 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  5. Ahyong, Shane T. (1 September 2020). "Neolithodes bronwynae Ahyong, 2010". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  6. Ahyong 2010, pp. 83, 85, 87.
  7. Ahyong 2010, pp. 83, 87.
  8. 1 2 3 Ahyong 2010, p. 87.
  9. Ahyong 2010, p. 89.
  10. O'Hara et al. 2020, p. 14.
  11. 1 2 Egorova & Dautova 2025, p. 3.
  12. Ferrelly & Ahyong 2019, p. 13.
  13. Ahyong 2010, p. 83.

Works cited