The Rare Axiid Genus Oxyrhynchaxius Parisi, 1917 (Decapoda: Thalassinidea), With a Description of a New Species From Australia

Abstract

Recent discovery of a specimen of Oxyrhynchaxius Parisi, 1917, from Taiwan led to a survey of the material of this rare and monotypic axiid genus deposited at various museums. Other than the type, five specimens of this genus from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Australia were found and can be separated into two forms. Those from Japan to Hong Kong are large in size, have slender eyes and bear a dorsal carina on the posterior carapace but lack a median carina on the abdomen. The Australian specimens are small, have stout eyestalks and bear a median carina on the abdomen but lack a middorsal carina on the posterior carapace. The specimens from Japan to Hong Kong probably all belong to O. japonicus Parisi, 1917. The Australian material, though probably juvenile, represents a distinct species and is described as new.