A new genus and species of marine crayfish, Palibythus magnificus, and new records of Palinurellus (Decapoda : Palinuridae) from the Pacific Ocean

Abstract

A new genus and species of marine crayfish, Palibythus magnificus, is described from deep water off Western Samoa. Palibythus is placed in the Palinuridae, among the 'Stridentes' group of genera, because of the well-developed stridulatory organ. It differs from all other known genera, except Palinurellus, by the flat triangular rostrum and the narrow thoracic sternum; Palinurellus, however, lacks a stridulatory organ. The relationships of Palinurellus are discussed and the Synaxidae is replaced in synonymy with the Palinuridae. Palinurellus wieneckii is recorded from New Guinea and Solomon Islands waters for the first time.