Pristinaspinidae, a new family of cretaceous kiwaiform stem-lineage squat lobster (Anomura, Chirostyloidea)

S. T. Ahyong*, C. N. Roterman

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    Abstract

    The chirostyloid squat lobster Pristinaspina gelasina from the Upper Cretaceous of Alaska is most closely related to members of the genus Kiwa (Kiwaidae) as indicated by the presence of supraocular spines, a medially carinate rostrum and similar carapace groove patterns. Evidence from morphology, stratigraphic position and molecular divergence estimates of extant chirostyloids supports its position in the stem of Kiwaidae. Pristinaspina, however, also differs significantly from kiwaids and is here assigned to a new family, Pristinaspinidae. The chief distinction between the free-living pristinaspinids and vent-or seep-associated kiwaids (and an important synapomorphy of the latter) is the enlargement of the metabranchial regions in kiwaids, which meet in the mid-line and separate the cardiac region from the intestinal region. The enlarged metabranchial regions of kiwaids may have improved respiration in poorly oxygenated, chemosynthetically affected waters. This appears to track a major shift in the deep-water ecology of kiwaiform squat lobsters, that is, the movement into chemosynthetic habitats.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 5th Symposium on Mesozoic and Cenozoic Decapod Crustaceans, Krakow, Poland, 2013
    Subtitle of host publicationA tribute to Pál Mihály Müller
    EditorsR. H. B. Fraaije, M. Hyžný, J. W. M. Jagt, M. Krobicki, B. W. M. van Bakel
    PublisherNational Museum of Natural History
    Pages125-133
    Number of pages9
    Volume147
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2014
    Event5th Symposium on Mesozoic and Cenozoic Decapod Crustaceans - Kraków, Poland
    Duration: 24 Jun 201327 Jun 2013

    Publication series

    NameScripta Geologica
    PublisherNational Museum of Natural History
    ISSN (Print)0375-7587

    Conference

    Conference5th Symposium on Mesozoic and Cenozoic Decapod Crustaceans
    Country/TerritoryPoland
    CityKraków
    Period24/06/1327/06/13

    Keywords

    • fossil
    • Kiwa
    • Kiwaidae
    • Pristinaspina
    • squat lobster

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