JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA VOLUME 55 PART 2 JULY, 1972 PRICE: TWO DOLLARS REGISTERED FOR POSTING AS A PERIODICAL-CATEGORY A THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA PATRON Her Majesty the Queen VICE-PATRON His Excellency Major-General Sir Douglas Kendrew, K.C.M.G., C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., Governor of Western Australia COUNCIL 1971-1972 President Vice-Presidents Past President Joint Hon. Secretaries Flon. Treasurer Hon. Librarian Hon. Editor G. M. Storr, B.Sc., Ph.D. R. M. Berndt, M.A., Dip. Anth., Ph.D., F.R.A.I., F.F.A.A.A. A. F. Trendall, B.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.C.S., F.G.S. B. J. Grieve, M.Sc., Ph.D., D.I.C., F.L.S. P. G. Quilty, B.Sc. (Hons.), Ph.D. P. G. Wilson, M.Sc. D. C. Lowry, M.Sc. Ariadna Neumann, B.A. A. J. McComb, M.Sc., Ph.D. G. A. Bottomley, B.Sc., Ph.D. S. D. Bradshaw, B.Sc. (Hons.), Ph.D. S. J. Curry, M.A. D. Merrilees, B.Sc., Ph.D. L. J. Peet, B.Sc., F.G.S. P. E. Playford, B.Sc., Ph.D. 4. — The fungus Panus fasciatus (Pleurotaceae) characterised by microstructure of sporophore and culture by Hung Ching Broughton* and R. N. Hilton* Manuscript received 14 December, 1970; accepted 16 November, 1971 Abstract The techniques of hyphal analysis and growth on standardised media were used to compare three collections of Panus fasciatus, two from Western Australia and the other from New South Wales. Although the sporophores ap- peared similar macroscopically and microscopi- cally, the cultures from Western Australia dif- fered in growth rate, texture, colour and odour, from those of New South Wales, whilst being similar in their reaction to gallic and tannic acid incorporated in the media and in certain hyphal structures. They are considered to be different varieties of the same species. Another collection from New South Wales, named Len- tinus terrestris Lloyd, is demonstrably different even at the generic level, although synonymy with Panus fasciatus had been suggested. Introduction The taxonomy of the wood-attacking gill fungi, of which Panus fasciatus is an example, has been complicated by the ease with which they could be preserved as specimens by the early botanical collectors in various parts of the world. As these collectors did not realise the importance of collecting sporing specimens, and collecting them in sufficient quantity to represent develop- mental stages and phenotypic variation, numer- ous taxa have been erected on inadequate material poorly described. The object of the work reported here was to take several collec- tions generally ascribable to Panus fasciatus and apply to them full micro-anatomical analysis, that might contribute to their taxonomy, sup- plementing this with equally exhaustive analysis of cultural characteristics. This combination of sporophore and culture analysis is seen as an essential in the elucidation of wood-attack- ing fungi (including the polypores) and, as this is the first time these tools have been applied to Western Australian collections, are reported in some detail. No attempt is made to make taxonomic decisions, which will depend on more extensive collections and comparisons with type specimens. However, the features that appear to be important in taxonomy are pointed out and it is shown that Lentinus terrestris Lloyd, considered by Cleland (1934 p 171) as probably synonymous with Panus fasciatus, must be a separate species on the basis of culture DFP 7396 and its corresponding sporophore. Methods Fresh sporophores were described macro- scopically and microscopically, colour descrip- tions being those of Ridgway <1912). Thin sec- tions of sporophores were mounted in 10% potassium hydroxide containing 1% aqueous phloxine to stain the trama, hymenial layer * Botany Department, University of Western Australia. and hyphal elements. Melzer’s Reagent was used to determine whether spores were amyloid or not. Cultures were prepared from fresh sporo- phores and grown on 1.2% Malt Extract Agar as described by Nobles, 1965. Oxidase reactions with gallic and tannic acid were determined by Bavendamm’s method as described by Davidson, Campbell and Blaisdell, 1938. Cultures were examined microscopically after two weeks’ incubation in the dark at 25 °C, mounts of mycelium being from: — (1) the advancing zone of the colony, (2) the aerial mycelium at a point one week’s growth behind the margin, (3) submerged mycelium below point (2), (4) aerial mycelium at the point of two weeks’ growth behind the margin, (5) submerged mycelium at the same point as (4). Colour descriptions of hyphae and spores were made from water mounts without heat treat- ment. Mounts for measurements and detailed microscopic analysis were made in 10% potas- sium hydroxide and 1% phloxine, as used for sporophore material. Description of Panus fasciatus (Berk.) Pegler from Western Australia Culture WW1 was isolated from sporophores growing on decayed wood collected :in Tutan- ning Reserve, Western Australia, August 1966 UWA. Mycology Herbarium number 1250. Specimens sent to the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, were determined by Mr. D. N. Pegler as P. fasciatus (Berk.) Pegler, a fungus collected in Tasmania and described by Berkeley as Lentinus fasciatus (Pegler, 1965). Culture XXI was isolated from an identical fungus collected from a fallen dead trunk of Eucalyptus marginata, Karnet, Western Austra- lia, August 1966. UWA Mycology Herbarium number 1280. Sporophores Sporophores tough when fresh, hard when dried. Pilei deeply infundibuliform, densely hispid with involute margins, Clay to Tawny Olive, diameter 1.2-3 cm. Gills deeply decurrent, crowded, entire along the edge, tinged pale purple when fresh but Light Mouse Gray when dried. Stipes, central, 1. 0-2.5 cm, densely his- pid and brown (Fig. 1). Pileus with filamentous cuticle and white con- text. Dimitic: skeletal hyphae mainly in the trama (Fig. 2B ) and hyaline, thick-walled, septate, clamped, and occasionally branched, with nar- row lumen, 3 — 5 p wide, mean 3 ± 0.1 p. In contrast, generative hyphae thin-walled and Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 31 Figure 1 . — Panus fasciatus from Western Australia. Sporophores corresponding to culture number XXI. Figure 2 . — Panus fasciatus from Western Australia. Detail from sporophore corresponding to culture num- ber XXI. A. — Vertical section through gill showing irregular trama (tr) indistinct subhymenium, and a hymenium (h) consisting of clavate basidia (bas.), “metuloids” (met.) and “setae” (set.); basidiospores (b.s). B. — Skeletal hyphae. C. — Generative hypha. D. — Immature basidia. E. — Basidiospores. F. — Metuloid. G. — Thin-walled “seta”. 2 — 4 fi, mean 2 ± 0.1 /*, and frequently branched (Fig. 2C). Trama irregular and inamyloid, subhymenium indistinct, hymenium of basidia and cystidia (Fig. 2A). Most of the basidia ob- served in sections were immature (Fig. 2D). Fertile basidia clavate and 20 — 36 X 4 — 7 n, mean 27 ± 0.1 X 6 ± 0.1 n. Basidiospores hyaline, inamyloid and oblong, with smooth walls, and 4 — 7 X 3 — 5/x, mean 5 ± 0.2 X 3 ± 0.1 ix (Fig. 2E) . Cystidia originated from tramal hyphae and could be differentiated into two main types. In the first type, the cystidia were few and scattered, had thick walls and obtuse apices. They could be described as metuloids, except for the lack of crystals on their surfaces. They measured 24 — 43 X 5 — 7 n mean 33 ± 2 X 6 ± 0.2 n (Fig. 2F). In the second type, the cystidia were similar in size but differed in shape and wall thickness. They were thin-walled, had acute apices and were quite numerous, slightly proliferating above the hymenial surface (Fig. 2G). They resembled setae except for their thinner walls. Cultures: macroscopic Both isolates had indented margins consist- ing of appressed and submerged mycelium. The rest of the mycelial mat was raised-woolly with small aggregates of mycelium appearing near and over the inoculum after two to three weeks of growth (Figs. 3, 5). The aggregates grew larger (Figs. 4, 6), and from subsequent devel- opment were found to have been fruiting body primorida. Plates were covered after three weeks’ incubation. Colour developed after four weeks: Cream Buff, then Pinkish Cinnamon, deepening to Cinnamon Buff after exposure to light. The primordia were of purplish tinge, turning to brown when exposed to light. The reverse side of the mycelial mat changed slightly to Cream Buff, particularly under the intermediate zone and inoculum. Growth rate at 25° was the same in both isolates: 2.0 -2.9 cm/wk, mean ± 0.1. Reactions on tannic and gallic acid were strong with unsatisfactory growth of both isolates. Cultures: microscopic All hyphae examined were hyaline with thin walls or with thick refractive walls that stained poorly in phloxine. The advancing zone, aerial mycelium and submerged mycelium shared some hyphae in common. These were either thin- walled hyphae, clamped and occasionally branched (Fig. 7, al and a2, el and e2), or were wide, conspicuously clamped, with fairly thick, refractive walls characteristically branched from three clamp connections (Fig. 7, d2 and fl). (1) Advancing zone (Fig. 7, al-d2). — Two principal types of hyphae were found in the ad- vancing zone of both isolates, XXI and WW1. They were: (i) Long, thin-walled, hyaline hyphae with “eyelet” type of clamp connections, 4-5 fi, characteristically branched near a clamp connection and forming another clamp near the point of origin of the side branch; occa- sional in koth isolates, (Fig 1, al and a2). (ii) Thin-walled, hyaline hyphae, clamped and frequently branched, branches usually short and produced in close proximity to each other, 2-4 n wide; occasional in both isolates (Fig. 7, bl and b2) . Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 32 Journal of the Royal Scci 2 ty of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 33 In addition, two more hyphal types were ob- served in cultures of isolate WW1. These were: — (iii) Long, thin-walled hyphae, clamped, 3-4 n wide, with short side branches slightly naviculate in shape; rare, and arranged in a parallel fashion in the advancing zone (Fig. 7, c2). (iv) Large, thin-walled hyphae, 5-6 p. in diameter, with conspicuous clamp connections and characteristically producing branches from three clamp connections (Fig. 1, d2); rare. (2) Aerial mycelium (Fig. 7, el-j2). — The aerial mycelium in both isolates, XXI and WW1, possessed five main types of hyphae, two of which were similar to those in the advancing zone (Fig. 7, el, e2, fl, f2, compared with al, a2 and d2). The other hyphal types were: — (i) Long, narrow hyphae with highly refractive walls', bearing small clamp connections and branched, either opposite to a clamp connec- tion or near to a clamp, but more often simple branches were found (Fig. 7, gl-g2). In isolate WW1 only, this type of hypha occasionally was found to produce structures resembling chlamy- dospores (Fig. 7, h2), but, unlike true chlamy- dospores, they were not divided from the parent Figure 3 (above ). — Panus fasciatus from Western Aus- tralia. Culture number XXI two weeks old, showing- uneven margin and a raised woolly texture on the mycelial mat. Mycelial mat white. Figure 4 (below ). — Panus fasciatus from Western Aus- tralia. Culture number XXI four weeks old, showing that mycelium near and over the inoculum has become very dense. Fruit body primordia have developed near to the inoculum. Mycelial mat now cream buff and pinkish cinnamon. hypha by a septum near the base, (ii) Narrow, thick-walled hyphae, 1-2 p wide, with lumen almost obliterated, frequently branched, re- sembling fibre hyphae but, unlike them, having small clamp connections, rare in XXI, occa- sional in WW1 (Fig. 7, il and i2). Clamp con- nections of the “eyelet” type were abundant in cultures of both isolates. Branching of the simple type was frequently found in XXI but occasionally in WW1, where branching near a clamp connection on the parent hypha and pro- ducing another clamp near the origin of the side branch, was slightly more frequent (Fig. 7, jl and j2). Hyphal diameter 1-5 p mean 3 ± 0.2 p for both isolates. (3) Submerged mycelium (Fig. 7, kl-m2). — Hyphae in this area were more intensively branched than in the other areas. Three types were recognised, two of which had been found in the advancing zone and aerial mycelium (Fig. 7, kl, k2 and 11, 12). The third type of hypha was narrow, 1-3 p wide, thin-walled and septate, with clamp connections and numerous short side branches often slightly hooked at the tips (Fig. 7, ml and m2). The Figure 5 (above ).— Panus fasciatus from Western Aus- tralia. Culture number WW1 two weeks old showing essentially the same features as XXI. (cf. Figure 3). Figure Q (below) —Panus fasciatus from Western Aus- tralia. Culture number WW1 after four weeks. Still showing features similar to XXI (cf. Figure 4). Figure 7 . — Panus fasciatus from Western Australia. Culture numbers XXI and WW1. Details of hyphae from advancing, aerial, and submerged mycelium. Subscript 1 refers to XXI and subscript 2 refers to WW1. Advancing zone, al-d2: bl-b2, hyphae with branches produced in close proximity; c2, hyphae with short side branches slightly naviculate in shape; d2, wide hyphae with conspicuous clamp connections characteristically branched at three clamp connections. Aerial Mycelium, el-j2: f2, hyphae irregularly enlarged; gl-g2, hyphae with highly refractive walls; h2, hyphae with terminal swellings resembling chlamydospores (chlamy.) except for the absence of a septum; i2, thick-walled “fibre hyphae’’. Submerged mycelium, kl-m2: ml-m2, hyphae with short lateral branches straight or slightly hooked at the tips. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 34 u_ Table 1 Comparison of sporophore microstructure of Panus fasciatus and Lentinus terrestris P. fasciatus (W.A.) P. fasciatus (N.S.W.) L. terrestris (N.S.W.) Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean Basidia ... Basidiospores Skeletal hyphae .... Generative hyphae Metuloids ... 20-36x4-7 4-7 x 3-5 3-5 2-4 24-43x5-7 27±01x6±0-l 5±0-2x3±0-l 3 ±0-1 2 rfc 0 • 1 33±2x6±0-2 22-54 x 4-7 4-7 x 3-5 2-5 2-4 22-36 x 4-7 31±l-8x6±0-2 6±0'lx4±0d 2 ± 0 ’ 2 3 ±0 1 31 ±0 7 18-40 x 4-9 5-9 x 4—5 3-5 2-4 Nil 29±l-2x6±0-3 6 + 0-5x4±0-2 4d-0-2 3±01 Nil All measurements in ^ “eyelet” type of clamp connection was abund- ant in the submerged mycelium of both isolates. Hyphal diameter 1-8 /*, mean 3 ± 0.2 p. for both isolates. Comparison of Panus fasciatus from Western Australia and New South Wales Specimens of Panus fasciatus from Nambucca Heads, New South Wales, (DFP 5365) showed { 4m, Figure 8 . — Panus fasciatus from New South Wales. Sporophore corresponding to culture number DFP 5365. Note growth from a pseudosclerotium. strong resemblances to those from Western Aus- tralia in the macro- and micro-features of the sporophores. They both had brown, densely hispid, deeply infundibuliform pilei; decurrent gills with entire edges; brown, hispid stipes (Fig. 1 and 8). Microscopically they were similar in having a white context, filamentous cuticle, and an irregular, inamyloid trama consisting of skeletal and generative hyphae. The sub- hymenium was indistinct in both specimens and the hymenium consisted of essentially the same elements. These were clavate basidia; oblong, hyaline, smooth, basidiospores; metuloids and setae. There was a slight difference in size of these elements between the two specimens (Table 1), and the setae from the New South Wales specimen had thicker walls (Fig. 9, f). Cultures from New South Wales did show dif- ferences in texture, colour, odour and growth rate from the Western Australian isolates, al- though reactions on gallic and tannic acid media Figure 9.— Panus fasciatus from New South Wales. Detail from sporophore corresponding to culture number DFP 5365. A. — Vertical section through gill, showing irregular trama (tr.), basidia (bas.) paraphysate hyphae (par.) metuloids (met.) and setae (set.). B.— Skeletal hypha. (-'• Geneiative hypha. D. — Basidium. E. — Basidiospores F— “Seta”. G. — “Metuloid”. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 35 Figure 10 (above ). — Panus fasciatus from New South Wales. Culture DFP 5365 two weeks old with a raised, silky texture in the younger parts and a sub-felty texture in the older parts of the mycelial mat, which was maize yellow or cream-buff in colour. Figure 11 (below ). — Panus fasciatus from New South Wales. Culture DFP 5365 after four weeks, showing- little change except for the development of small com- pact lumps of mycelium over the inoculum. Figure 12 . — Panus fasciatus from New South Wales. Culture number DFP 5365. a-c, hyphae from the ad- vancing zone; d-f, from the aerial mycelium; g-i, from the submerged mycelium. were similar. In spite of the differences in the macroscopic appearance of the cultures (Figs. 10 and 11), two hyphal structures were found to be identical between the two isolates (Fig. 12, a, was similar to Fig. 7, al and a2, while Fig. 12, c and g resembled Fig. 7, ml and m2). It can be concluded that the Panus fasciatus from New South Wales was the same species as that from Western Australia, but a different variety. Comparison of Lentinus terrestris with Panus fasciatus from Western Australia Cleland (1934 p. 171) suggested Lentinus ter- restris Lloyd (1925) as a probable synonym of Panus fasciatus (quoted by him as L. fasciatus Fr.). Because of Cleland’s suggestion, supported by co-types in his possession, named specimens of L. terrestris were obtained from the Division of Forest Products, C.S.I.R.O., Melbourne for comparison with specimens of Panus fasciatus from Western Australia. The collection supplied was DFP 7396 collected on Mount Banda Banda, Wauchope, N.S.W., September, 1959. Lentinus terrestris showed differences from Panus fasciatus in the macro-and micro- features of the sporophores and in the macro- Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 36 I /crn Figure 13. — Lentinus terrestris Lloyd. Sporophores cor- responding to culture number DFP 7396. scopic and microscopic appearance of the cul- tures. Morphologically, L. terrestris differed from P. fasciatus in having pilei that were slightly de- pressed at the centres, gills that were dentate instead of entire, and large sporophores that were also hispid but with shorter abhymenial hairs. L. terrestris grew from a pseudo- sclerotium in soil. (Fig. 1 and Fig. 13). Microscopically (Fig. 14) both sporophores appeared similar but unlike P. fasciatus, the trama in L. terrestris was subregular (Fig. 14, A), although it was also composed of inamyloid, thick-walled skeletal hyphae. Generative and skeletal hyphae appeared similar in both species and were of similar size (Table 1). The sub- hymenium was indistinct and the hymenium was composed of essentially the same elements in both species. These were clavate-shaped basidia; hyaline, inamyloid, smooth basidio- spores, and setae. However, unlike P. fasciatus, L. terrestris had no metuloids. Basidia and basidiospores were larger in L. terrestris (Table 1) and the setae in L. terrestris had uniformally thick walls and were not thin-walled as in P. fasciatus from Western Australia. Cultures of L. terrestris (Fig. 15 and 16) dif- fered in texture, colour and growth rate from cultures of P. fasciatus. L. terrestris had a cot- tony mycelial mat which became woolly during later periods of incubation. P. fasciatus had a woolly texture throughout the whole period of incubation, with the mycelium becoming slightly appressed as the cultures grew older. Growth rate in L. terrestris was slower. The mycelial mat was Pale Pinkish Buff, Pinkish Buff or Figure 14. — Lentinus terrestris Lloyd. Sporophore cor- responding to culture number DFP 7396. A. — Vertical section through gill showed subregular trama (tr.) in- distinct subhymenium and hymenium consisting of clavate-shaped basidia (bas.) setae (set.) and para- physate hyphae (par.) Note absence of metuloids. B. — Generative hypha, thin-walled, clamped and branched similar to those of P. fasciatus. . C. — Skeletal hypha, thick-walled and rarely branched, resembling those of P. fasciatus. D. — Clavate basidium, larger than P. fasciatus. E. — Basidiospores similar to those of P. fasciatus except for the larger size. F. — Seta, thick- walled. Light Ochraceous Salmon in L. terrestris where- as it was Cream Buff or Pinkish Cinnamon in P. fasciatus. Reactions on tannic and gallic acid media differed from P. fasciatus only in that on gallic acid being weak. Microscopically, the hyphae in cultures of L. terrestris differed from P. fasciatus in the ab- sence of clamp connections (Fig. 17 compared with Fig. 7), the presence of dendritic hyphae (Fig. 17, c) and in having true chlamydospores in the aerial and submerged mycelium in L. terrestris (Fig. 17, 1, compare with Fig. 7, h2). The general characters of the L. terrestris isolate, particularly the inamyloid spores and toothed gills, are consistent with its being re- tained in the genus Lentinus, differing from P. fasciatus even at this, the generic, level. Acknowledgements The work described in this paper was con- ducted during the tenure by Mrs. H. C. Brough- ton of a University of Western Australia Post- graduate Award. Thanks are due to Mr. E. W. B. DaCosta and Mr. N. E. M. Walters for supply- ing the New South Wales specimens of Lentinus terrestris and Panus fasciatus and for helpful discussion during visits to their laboratory in the Division of Forest Products, C.S.I.R.O., Mel- bourne. Identification of the Western Austra- lian specimen of Panus fasciatus from Tutan- ning was kindly provided by the Royal Botanic Gardens. Kew. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 37 Figure 15 (above). — Lentinus terrestris Lloyd. Culture DFP 7396 two weeks old. showing white aerial mycelium, uneven margin and raised cottony-woolly texture. Figure 16 (below). — Lentinus terrestris Lloyd. Culture DFP 7396 four weeks old, showing zones and radial striations on the mycelial mat. Colour developed over the inoculum, but no fruiting bodies even after exposure to light. References Cleland, J. B. (1934). — “Toadstools and Mushrooms and other Larger Fungi of South Australia.” Government Printer, Adelaide. Davidson, R. W., Campbell, W.A. and Bleisdell, D. J. (1938). — Differentiation of Wood-Decaying fungi by Their Reactions on Gallic or Tan- nic Acid Medium. J. agric. Res. 57. 633-695. Lloyd, C. G. (1925). — Lentinus terrestris from Dr. J. B. Cleland Mycol. Notes 7 : 1355. Nobles, M. K. (1965). — Identification of cultures of v/ood-inhabiting Hymenomycetes. Can. J. Bot. 43: 1097-1139. Pegler, D. N. (1965). — Studies on Australian Agaricales Aust. J. Bot. 13: 323. Refshauge, L. D. and Proctor (1936). — The diagnosis of some wood-destroying Australian Basidio- mycetes by their cultural characters. Proc. R. Soc. Viet. 48 (NS. Pt. 2) 105-123. Ridgway, P. (1912). — “Color Standards & Nomenclature,” Washington. D.C. Figure 17. — Lentinus terrestris Lloyd. Culture number DFP 7396. a-d, hyphae from the advancing zone; e-h, hyphae from the aerial mycelium: i-k, hyphae from the submerged mycelium; a, hyphae intensively branched; c and f, dendritic hyphae, observed in L. terrestris only; d, hyphae with highly refractive walls, and numerous short side branches; m-p. crystals. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 38 5. — A new species of the genus Ramphotyphlops (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) from Western Australia by J. Robb* Communicated by G. M. S^orr Manuscript received and accepted 22 February 1972 Abstract A new species of Ramphotyphlops from West- ern Australia is described, and named R. lepto- soma. The new species is shown to most closely resemble R. minimus, but to be dis- tinguished from it by a number of characters. Introduction In September 1967 Mr. R. B. Humphries col- lected two specimens of Ramphotyphlops at “The Loop’’, lower Murchison River, Western Austra- lia. The snakes were given to Dr. G. M. Storr of the Western Australian Museum at Perth, who kindly sent them to me for examination. The specimens, one male and one female, proved to be of a previously unrecognised species, and is named and described below. Ramphotyphlops leptosoma new species Holotype: R 29623 (male); “The Loop’’, lower Murchison River, Western Australia; 3rd Sep- tember 1967; collected by Mr. Robert B. Hum- phries. Paratype: R 29624 (female); same data as holotype. Diagnosis: A small, thin-bodied snake of the genus Ramphotyphlops having: (1) 16 scale rows at mid-body; (2) 660 to 665 dorsal scales; (3) prominent snout, with obtusely angular horizontal edge; (4) inferior nostrils; (5) complete nasal cleft; (6) pale coloration throughout with little contrasting darker markings. Description of species: Total length 250 to 282 mm; tail 4.5 times as long as broad in the male, and 2.5 times as long as broad in the female; diameter at mid-body 3.5 mm; dorsal scales (from rostral to terminal spine) 665 in the male, and 660 in the female; spine on tip of tail conical; 16 longitudinal rows of scales at all points posterior to head; four upper labials, first smallest and fourth largest; rostral very large, extending almost to the level of the eyes, rounded posteriorly, the portion visible from below broader than long, almost reaching nostril, concave at mouth edge; eye visible beneath * Department of Zoology, University of Auckland, New Zealand. translucent ocular and preocular scales; pre- ocular narrower than nasal or ocular, partly overlying eye anteriorly, its lower border in con- tact with second and third upper labials; ocular large, bordered above by supraocular and parie- tal, and posteriorly by two unmodified body scales, lower edge of ocular in contact with third and fourth upper labials; supraocular and parie- tal larger than unmodified dorsal scales; frontal smaller than unmodified dorsal scales; nasal divided by nasal cleft into small antero-ventral portion and large postero-dorsal portion; antero- ventral nasal in contact with first and second upper labials; postero-dorsal nasal extending on to top of snout between rostral anteriorly and preocular and supraocular posteriorly, in con- tact with prefrontal dorsally; nasal cleft extend- ing from lower border of nasal, in contact with second upper labial, through nostril, to meet lateral border of rostal on ventral surface; snout prominent, with obtusely angular horizontal edge, forming a ridge; nostrils inferior; five lower labials, the first and third smallest, fourth and fifth largest. Colour* generally pale throughout, dorsal sur- face pale grey /brown, undersurface grey/white. Range: Known only from the Murchison River area, Western Australia. Relationships: In characters of bodily scala- tion and proportions R. leptosoma most closely resembles R. minimus; these being the only two Australian species so far described with 16 mid- body scale rows, and small, slender bodies. The two are distinguishable from each other on the basis of the shape of the snout (angular in leptosoma, blunt in minimus) ; size of the rostral (smaller in leptosoma than minimus ); the dis- position of the nasal cleft (which reaches the rostral in leptosoma but not in minimus), and the colour (fairly uniformly pale in leptosoma, while minimus has an almost black head and tail or tail only, and yellowish brown body dis- tinctly marked with dark longitudinal lines). Acknowledgement I wish to offer my sincere thanks to Dr. G. M. Storr, of the Western Australian Museum for allowing me the privilege of examining and describing these specimens. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 39 A B C Figure 1, — Head of Ramphotyphlops leptosoma new species. A— Dorsal view. B.— Ventral view. C— Lateral view. F, frontal; Ip, interparietal; M, mental; N, nostril; Na, nasal; Nc, nasal cleft; O, ocular; P, parietal; Pf, prefrontal; Po, preocular; R, rostral; So, supraocular; 1-4, upper labials; I-V, lower labials. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 40 6. — Observations on the Indo-pacific species of Kraussia Dana 1852 (Decapoda: Brachyura) by R. Serene* Communicated by R. W. George Manuscript received and accepted 18 April 1972 Abstract Ten Indo-pacific species of Kraussia are dis- cussed and illustrated, and a key is provided for their identification. Five of the species are new, and described as K. pelsartensis and K. roycei from Western Australian waters, K. bongensis and K. wilsoni from the Sulu Sea area, and K. marquesa from the Marquesas Islands. Introduction The present observations refer to the study of the collections of Kraussia of the Western Australian Museum, and the National Museum of Singapore. Five species, two from Austra- lian waters, one from the Marquesas Islands and two from the Sulu Sea are new. With ten different species in hand an opportunity is pro- vided to review the situation of the Indo-paci- fic species of Kraussia and to suggest a key for their identification. None of the type material of the previously-described species has been examined. The genus Kraussia, with as type species Kraussia rugulosa (Krauss 1843), includes in the order of my key the following species: rugu- losa (Kraus 1843), quadriceps Yokoya 1936, wilsoni nov. sp., pelsartensis nov. sp., roycei nov. sp., ^nitida Stimpson 1858, aff. nitida, marquesa nov. sp., rastripes Muller 1887, integra (De Haan 1835), bongensis nov. sp. The species porcellana (White 1848) and pro- porcellana Ward 1936 are accepted as synonym of rugulosa. I am not sure of the position of hendersoni Rathbun 1902 as a valid species, con- sidering the confused situation of nitida. The single non west Indo-pacific species of the genus is K. americana Garth 1939. Specific characters (1) Chelipeds: 1'he key of Balss (1922) men- tions as species with reduced fingers only inte- gra, and his key of 1938 mentions all species save rugulosa. The relative size of the two chelipeds one to another, and the relative size of the palm and the fingers in major and minor chelipeds must be distinguished. Three species, rugulosa, quadriceps . and wilsoni have the two chelipeds of nearly the same size with the palm and fingers somewhat piongate. Five species, pelsartensis, roycei, nitida, integra, and bongensis have one cheliped clearly larger than the other, the major cheliped having the palm higher and the fingers shorter than the minor. The other two species, marquesa and rastripes, have the two chelioeds of nearly the same size with high palm and short fingers similar. The shape and proportion of palm and dactylus could slightly vary within * Singapore Museum, Singapore. one given speciss with the size of the specimen, but no sexual dimorphism seems to mark the chelipeds; those of females and males are identi- cal on all species. The extension on the palm of the black pig- ment of the fixed finger seems to be a specific character in some cases. On the superior border of the merus, a subdistal spine occurs some dis- tance from the distal margin on nearly all the species; a second, smaller spine generally occurs on the distal margin. (2) Measurements. — Rathbun (1902) gives a specific value to the fronto-orbital breadth in regard to the carapace breadth and the charac- ter is used in the key of Balss (1922). Balss (1935) thinks that the proportion of the two breadths can considerably vary on specimens of the same species, but he expresses his views only in regard to the definition of hendersoni Rathbun 1902 and with reference to few speci- mens examined, which in my opinion are per- haps not conspecific. The breadth of the carapace is mentioned as specific characters in the key of Sakai (1939). Balss (1938) considers also that the proportion of the breadth to the length of the carapace (elongation of the carapace) has a questionable value as a specific character. I have only used this character to separate roycei from pelsar- tensis , because it is such a clearly diagnostic feature. However, the views of Balss deserve new consideration. In my key, the measure- ments are those of the specimens illustrated in the present paper and are in millimetres; the carapace breadth (cb) is the largest. (3) Anterior frontal margin. — To have its full specifice value the bilobate character of the frontal margin must be associated with the ab- sence of preorbital teeth and the quadrilobate character to its presence. Among the species with bilobate front, integra presents on each lateral lobe a feeble concavity which could be interpreted as feebly quadrilobate when no com- parative material is available. In the species with quadrilobate front, the outer lobe is gen- erally a little more protuberant and broader than the inner. In the present status of our knowledge, it would be unwise to give a specific value to the prominence of the frontal margin in regard to the inner, supra-orbital angle, and to the shape of the frontal lobes. Generally the species clearly differ from one another by those charac- ters (depth and shape of median and submedian sinus, prominence and shape of the frontal lobes). Whether th?se characters show marked intraspecific variations is still uncertain. A sig- nificant example is illustrated by two specimens. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 41 identified marquesa, in the present paper. Fur- ther observations could demonstrate that the frontal margin provides a means for specific differentiation. (4) Pre-orbital tooth. — The pre-orbital tooth, which corresponds to a marked inner supra- orbital angle, is separated from the outer frontal margin by the sinus giving passage to the anten- nal flagellum. When the pre-orbital tooth exists, the antennal flagellum stands out of the orbit; when it does not exist, the flagellum stands in the orbit. Only the three species with bilobate fronts have no pre-orbital tooth. The term “pre- orbital tooth” is used with reference to the pre- vious authors. It would be more appropriate to designate the character by indicating the pres- ence or absence of the antennal sinus between the frontal margin and the inner supra orbital angle; in many cases the term “tooth” being really inadequate. The strong marking or, on the contrary, the disappearance in some cases of the sinus on the outer half of the supra orbital border, also serve for specific differentia- tion. (5) Carapace. — The distinctly separate, long, acute, forwardly-directed 4 spines on the lateral margin of the carapace behind the extraorbital angle only exists on rugulosa. Nearly all the other species have one notch situated at some distance (approximately one- third of the total length of the lateral margin) behind the extra- orbital angle; sometimes this notch is marked posteriorly by a larger spinule of the lateral margin. On some species, pelsartensis , marquesa and bongensis, a second notch (like a small con- cavity) is situated immediately behind the extra- orbital angle. Other notches can mark the lateral borders, for example, quadriceps pre- sents two other feebler notches situated posterior to that corresponding to the anterior third of the lateral border. Sakai (1939) mentions that on nitida “one or two shallow indentations oc- cur behind” that of the anterior third. All these structures are more easily observed on the ventral side and probably have a specific value. Comments on their possible function are given at the end of the present paper. In some species, the dorsal convexity of the carapace is comparatively stronger than in the other species. The ornamentation (granules, setae) of the carapace seem to be specific. How- ever, the rugae on the dorsal surface of rugu- losa clearly differ from those of other species. The smoothness of the dorsal surface of some species is conspicuous. (6) Third maxilliped. — The ratio of the total length of the third maxilliped to its largest breadth (ischium) is on rugulosa : 3.14, quadri- ceps : 2.90, marquesa : 2.70, integra: 2.60, rastripes: 2.57. These discrepancies are not sufficient for specific differentiation but could assist to improve the grouping of the species; the case of the elongate third maxilliped of rugulosa is the most significant. (7) Pereopods 2-5. — The upper (anterior) border of the dactyli of pereopods 2-5 on all species tend to be proximally flattened, the two (anterior and posterior) margins of the upper border forming a kind of distinct carinae. Such a structure varies with the species on pereo- pods 2-4 and is always more developed on pereo- pod 5. Only on rastripes is it fully developed on pereopods 2-4 which, like pereopod 5, is sharply denticulate along the anterior and pos- terior margins of the upper border. On the ether species, the flattening of the proximal part of dactylus is always (at least on pereopods 3-4) short and the main part of the upper (anterior) margin is like the edge of a blade, generally concave, sometimes sinuous, sometimes straight, sometimes with a row of small denti- culations, sometimes smooth. These differences seem to have specific value. Comparison of the dactyli of pereopods 4 and 5 provide an accurate means to separate the species. The posterior margin of the dactyli is always like the edge of a blade and convex. The largest breadth of dactyli in relation to length could also sometimes give a specific discrepancy, but more observations are needed. (8) Male pleopod. — Pleopod 2 is short. Pleopod 1 has been illustrated by Sakai (1934, fig 17a, b) for integra and rugulosa, Stephensen (1945, fig. 33) for ?nitida, Barnard (1950, fig 36c) and Buitendijk (1960, fig lb) for rugulosa, and Buitendijk (1960, fig la) for integra. All the ten species have pleopod 1 with the same elongate and slim stem. However their clear differences from one another in regard to the distribution of subdistal spines and setae and the shape of the apex provide the most secure specific character. The illustrations of pleopod 1 given by previous authors are gen- erally insufficient to allow positive identifica- tion. Several of the specific characters given in the following key and in the illustrations could present intraspecific variations which in some cases are sufficient to mislead identification. More exhaustive observation, taking into con- sideration the size and sex of the specimens, would probably define other new and secure specific discrepancies. It also will improve the grouping of the species; already rugulosa clearly seems to belong to a group quite separate from the other species. Note on the Illustrations As in many other cases, lack of illustration is the main obstacle to identification of the species of Kraussia described and recorded pre- viously. Special care has therefore been taken to illustrate the present material. The photographs and drawings are made by the author with a Projectina. On the drawings under the largest magnification (x450 on the screen), the lines representing the outlines of each apex correspond to the projection of a selected contour, which varies with the posi- tion of the pleopod on the slide. The selec- tion partly reflects the personal interpretation of the author for the shape of the apex; other observations could offer more accurate or dif- ferent interpretations. The setae of the apex are generally on the ventral side (at least the largest), and their origins are sometimes indi- cated on the drawings by dotted lines. In any case, the size of the specimen must always be taken into consideration when comparing draw- ings of pleopod 1. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 42 Key for the Indo-pacific Species of Kraussia 1 Lateral border of carapace denti- culate with 4 salient separate acute spines behind extraorbital angle. Dorsal surface of carapace with short transverse rugae. Front feebly prominent in regard to pre- orbital teeth which are salient and separated from frontal mar- gin by a deep incision (anten- nal sinus). Both chelipeds similar subequal with outer surface orna- mented with transverse rugae; fingers somewhat elongate (fixed finger a little longer than superior border of palm). Large gaping between fingers which at tip are rugulosa deeply hollowed. Size: 16.5x19 .... (Krauss 1843) Lateral border of carapace always more or less regularly denticulate without distinctly longer and more salient spines; generally 1 but sometimes 2-3 notches marked. Dorsal surface of cara- pace granular or nearly smooth; sometimes granules arranged in short ripple-like transverse rows but not forming clear transverse rugae. Fingers of both chelipeds without hollowed tip 2 2 (1) Pre-orbital tooth marked. Front quadrilobate 3 Pre-orbital tooth absent. Front bilobate 8 3 (2) Fingers of cheliped not remark- ably shortened. Both chelipeds nearly identically shaped, one be- ing only a little larger than the other. Palm not or very little swollen with outer surface nearly smooth. Cutting edge of fixed finger of cheliped with an elon- gated subdistal tooth, which is less marked on minor cheliped. Carapace punctate with small granules arranged in feeble and short transverse ripples near frontal and antero-lateral borders 4 One cheliped or both chelipds with remarkably shortened fingers and palm swollen 5 4 (3) Both chelipeds with palm and fingers similarly elongate; major cheliped a little longer than minor cheliped, but with less high palm. Fixed finger approximately as long as height of palm on minor cheliped, much longer than height of palm on major cheliped. On cutting edge of fixed finger of minor cheliped a well marked elongated subdistal tooth; nearly absept on major cheliped. Black pigment of fixed finger not extending on palm of cheliped. Frontal lobes rounded, deeply separated and strongly prominent beyond preorbital teeth. Dactyli of pereopods 3-4 sickle shaped with anterior border concave. Male pleopod 1 with apex bent laterally and a subdistal bunch of long setae, quadriceps Size: 17x19 Yokoya 1936 Both chelipeds of same length with palm clearly higher and fingers shorter than on quadri- ceps. One cheliped (major) with palm higher and finger shorter than the other (minor). Fixed finger shorter than length of up- per border of palm on major cheliped, longer than upper border of palm on minor cheliped. Black pigment of fixed finger a little extending on palm. Frontal lobes not deeply separated and slightly prominent. Dactyli of periopods 3-4 with anterior border straight. Male pleopod 1 with apex straight truncate without subdistal bunch of long setae. Size: 11x12 5 (3) Both chelipeds with palm nearly smooth; upper border of dactyli feebly carinate and granular on proximal part only Both chelipeds with palm orna- mented distally with a transverse row of large granules and at least on its distal part smaller granular ripples. Upper border of dactyli strongly carinate and granular 6 (5) Carapace remarkably broad with front-orbital breadth subequal to half breadth of carapace. Frontal margin with widely open median sinus. Major cheliped with strongly swollen palm and short fingers; length of fixed finger much less than half height of palm. Minor cheliped with slim elongate fin- gers regularly tapering; fixed finger bent downwards with length nearly equal to height of palm. Dactyli of pereopods 2-5 with anterior border nearly straight, flattened and acutely granular at least on proximal half. Apex of male pleopod 1 straight, without subdistal bunch of long setae. Size: 14.6x18 Carapace moderately broad with fronto-orbital breadth clearly less than half breadth of carapace. Frontal margin with nearly closed median sinus. Major cheliped with palm feebly swollen and fingers moderately elongate; length of fixed finger clearly more than half height of palm. Minor cheliped as in pelsartensis but with fixed finger not bent down- wards with strong subdistal tooth on cutting edge; dactylus broader and more canaliculate. Dactyli of pereopods 2-5 with anterior border sinuous without marked flattening and devoided of gran- ules. Apex of male pleopod 1 as a short beak bent at 45° with a subdistal bunch of long setae. Size: 13.2x14 7 (5) Both chelipeds clearly unequal; palm of major cheliped higher than that of minor cheliped; dactyli of at least minor cheliped not remarkably recurved; fixed finger of major cheliped clearly shorter than half height of palm, of minor cheliped clearly longer than half height of palm. No indication of black colour extending on palm. Frontal mar- gin with closed median sinus. A clear sinus on outer part of up- per orbital border. Dactyli of pereopods 2-5 sickle shaped with- out granules on anterior border. Male pleopod with apex bent at 50° and ornamented with a nre- apical bunch of long setae. Size: 9.8x10.8 Both chelipeds subequal; dactyli similarly and remarkably re- curved and strongly granular. Fixed finger in one cheliped shorter than in the other; its length approximately one-fourth of height of palm instead of one- third in the other. Black wilsoni nov. sp. 6 7 pelsartensis nov. sp. roycei nov. sp. aff. nitida Stimpsoii 1858 Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 43 colour of fixed finger extending on palm. Frontal margin with a V-shaped open median sinus. No trace of sinus on upper orbital border. Anterior border of dac- tyli of pereopods 2-5 feebly con- cave (nearly straight) with gran- ules only on pereopod 5. Male pleopod with nearly straight apex and a few subdistal setae. Size: 12.7x14 8 (2) Dactyli of pereopods 2-5 with upper (anterior) margin nearly straight, flattened with on each side a row of acute granules. Dor- sal surface of carapace nearly smooth, strongly and regularly convex in the middle. Antero- lateral borders of carapace regu- larly convex, thickly armed with acute granules without indica- tion of any notch. No indication of sinus on upper orbital border. Two chelipeds subequal with short fingers identically shaped. On both chelipeds length of fixed finger approximately one-fourth of height of palm. Male pleo- pod distally acuminate with a subdistal bunch of long setae. Size: 11.1x12.8 Dactyli of pereopods 2-4 with anterior border concave, flattened and granular only on short proxi- mal part: anterior border of pereopod 2 with a row of some acute granules, those of pereopods 3-4 without granules. Dorsal sur- face of carapace granular. Antero- lateral borders of carapace with a notch at some distance behind the orbit. Strongly marked sinus on upper orbital border. Two chelipeds slightly but clearly un- equal 9 (8) Frontal margin feebly undulate; dorsal surface of carapace slightly flattened. Both chelipeds with palm and Angers differently shaped. Major cheliped with palm higher, dactylus more re- curved, fixed finger shorter than marquesa nov. sp. rastripes Muller 1886 9 Figure 1. — Male pleopods 1 and 2 of K. rugulosa, WAM 262-70 of cl :16.0, cb:16.5. on minor cheliped. Length of fixed finger one-fourth of height of palm in major cheliped, one- third of height of palm in minor cheliped; black colour of fixed finger not extending on upper half of palm. Male pleopod with apex acuminate. Size: 16x19.5 Frontal margin straight; dorsal surface of carapace regularly con- vex. Both chelipeds with palm and fingers identically shaped; length of fixed finger one-fourth of height of palm; black colour of fixed finger extending on upper half of palm. Male pleopod with apex broadened as a round lobe. Size : 20x23 Integra De Haan 1835 bongensi nov. sp. (Figs. 1, 2, 23A) Platyonichus rugulosa, Krauss, 1843, p. 26, pl.l, fig. 5. Trichocera porcellana, White, 1848, p. 59. Kraussia rugulosa, Dana, 1852, p. 302, pi. 9, fio-. i._ ° e Man, 1887, p. 343, pi. 14, fig. 2. — BorradaileT 1903, p. 270. Rathbun, 1906, p. 876 (no material). — Steb- bmg 1910, p. 310.— 1918, p. 54.— Balss, 1922, p. 98.— P> 22’ fig - 10 ~ Urita - 1926, p 11.— Edmondson, 1925, p. 36.— 1946, p. 284, fig. 175.— Sakai, 1934, p. 305 text-figure. 76b— 1936, p. 139. text-fig. 65.— 1939 p’ 431, text-fig. 21.— Tweedie, 1947, p. 28.— 1950, p 108 — flg ' 36A ’ B ' Buitendijk, Kraussia proporcellana, Ward, 1935, p. 10, pi. 1 , fig. 7. Type locality: South Africa. Material. — WAM. 262-70, series of 6 speci- mens, largest male of cl:16.5, cb:19.0, Loc: Fly- ing Fish Cove, Christmas Island, Coll: Mr. Powell, 23.6.1961, Det: vrovorcellana ; NMS.1965. 10.10.3 male, Loc: Cocos Keeling, Coll: Gibson Hill, 1941, Det: Tweedie, 1950, p. 108; NMS.1965. 10.10.2, male of cl:10, cb:11.40, Loc: Christmas Island, Indian Ocean, Coll: Gibson Hill, 1940 Det: Tweedie, 1947, p. 281; NMS. 1965. 10. 10. 1, Loc: Christmas Island, Coll: Ward, 1934, Para- type specimen of K. vrovorcellana Ward, 1934, Balss (1938, p. 28) corrected as rugulosa. Remarks: — The two chelipeds differ slightly; one has its palm a little longer and higher with rugae of the outer surface more marked than the other. The male pleopod is like that illus- trated by Barnard (1950) and has a distally broadened apex with a subdistal bunch of long setae; it also has some heavy short pre -apical spines which are not indicated on Barnard’s figure. Laurie (1906), examining the type of vorcellana, stated it to be identical with rugu- losa as suggested by Dana (1852). Ward (1934) separated vrovorcellana from rugulosa and con- siders vorcellana as a distinct species. The syn- type of vrovorcellana deposited in the National Museum of Singapore does not present any dis- crepancy in regard to the present series and con- firms the views of Balss on the identity of the two forms. However, the comparison of the Type specimen of rugulosa or a topotype from South Africa or material from Japan and Hawaii with the types of the species of vrovor- cellana and vorcellana (the two in the British Museum) could suggest that more than one species should be recognised. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 44 The recorded size of specimens are by De Man (1887) 17.5x20.75; Sakai (1939) a male of 17x20; Barnard (1950) one male of 13x15 and one female of 11x12; Ward (1934) three specimens of 8.5, 10, 12 as carapace width. The species is recorded from South Africa (Krauss, Stebbing, Barnard), Philippines (White), Hawaii (Dana, Rathbun, Edmondson), Mergui Archipelago (De Man), Minikoi, Laccadives (Borradaile) , Gil- bert Islands, Ellice Islands, Samoa Islands, Marshall Islands (Balss), Christmas Islands in Indian Ocean (Ward), Tweedie, Cocos Keeling Islands (Tweedie), Timor (Buitendijk) , Japan, Formosa (Urita, Sakai). Kraussia quadriceps Yokoya 1936 (Figs. 3, 4, 23B) Kraussia quadriceps, Yokoya, 1936, p. 143, fig. 9. — Sakai, 1939, p. 431. Type locality: Japan. Material. — WAM.266-70, male of cl: 17, cb:19, Loc: North Steamboat Island, Dampier Archi- pelago, N.W.A., 14 faths Hon. drge, Coll: Royce on “Davena”, Date coll: 27.5.1966; WAM.273-70, male of cl: 10, cb:11.5, Loc: 20 miles N. of Delambre Is., Dampier Arch., N.W.A., Source: B. R. Wilson on “Davena”, Date coll: 7/6/1960; NMS. 1970.1.3.1., female with cl:12.00, cb:13.00, carapace with only one cheliped and no other pereopod, Loc: Colombo, Ceylon, R. Serene coll. 1966. Observations. — The present specimens have: G) the front salient with four lobes anteriorly rounded (the left is damaged on the illustrated specimen and deeply separated). — 2) the two chelipeds similarly shaped, with the palm and fingers elongate and smooth, but slightly un- qual; one cheliped is a little longer than the other with palm less high; the cutting edge of the fixed finger of shorter cheliped has an elongate subdistal tooth, which is very feeble on the other cheliped. Also, the cutting edge of dactylus of the shorter cheliped has a proxi- mal low tooth which does not exist on the other cheliped. — 3) a notch marking the posterior limit of the anterior third of lateral border and with a distinct tooth behind; a second notch situatsd more posteriorly is well marked. — 4) the dac- tyli of pereopods 2-5 sickle shaped and elongate with concave anterior border. Their identity with quadriceps appears valid. The low elongate tooth of the cutting edge of the fixed finger is not indicated on the descrip- tion of Yokoya (1936), who only mentions: “thumb of chela normally Well developed.” The male pleopod 1 has its apex bent nearly at right angle to form a transverse beak and presents on one side a large bunch of very long setae. Examination of the type specimen for these Figure 2 .—Kraussia rugulosa, WAM 262-70, male of cl:16.5, cb:19.0. A, entire animal.— B, pereopods 4 5 (ven- tral view).— C, right cheliped.— D, left cheliped. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July. 1972. 45 Figure 3.— Male pleopod 1 of K. quadriceps, WAM 266-70 of cl :15.3, cb:16.6. characters of the male pleopod 1 and for the fixed finger would confirm or modify the pres- ent identification. On the largest sp eimen the dactyli of the pereopod 5 are missing on the two sides. Those of the smaller specimens (273) are illustrated as indicated on the text of the plate. The fronto-orbital breadth of quadriceps is com- paratively narrower than any other species of Kraussia and is clearly less than half of the largest breadth of the carapace. In all other species it is a little more than half. K. quadri- ceps was previously known by the single type specimen, a male of cl: 10.7, cb:11.3, from Japan. Kraussia wilsoni nov. sp. (Figs. 5, 6, 23C) Type specimen: Western Australian Museum, Perth. Type locality: off Siasi Island, Sulu Archi- pelago. Type material. — Holotype, WAM, 278-70, male of cl : 1 1 , cb:12; Paratype, WAM. 143-71, female of cl: 9, cb:10.5, Loc: North of Siasi Is., Sulu Arch., 20-22 faths., sponges, coral and sand, Coll: B. R. Wilson on “Pele”, 17/2/1964; WAM. 38-71, one female of cl: 8, cb:9, Loc: \ mile from Don Can Is., Laparan Group, Sulu Arch., 30 faths., sand and lithethamnion, Coll: B. R. Wilson on “Pele”, 21/2/1964. Figure 4 — Kraussia quadriceps, WAM 266-70, male of cl: 17.0, cb:19.0 A, dorsal view.— B, pereopods 4, 5 (of WAM 273). — C, right cheliped. — D, left chelipsd. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 46 Diagnosis . — Carapace nearly smooth, punc- tuate with some granules on the area close to frontal and antero-lateral margins. Frontal margin consists of four round lobes, only a little salient beyond the inn r supra orbital angle which is blunt, like the extraorbital angle. Antero-lateral margin of carapace with a feeble notch. Both chelipeds smooth with same length but one with palm higher and finger a little shorter than on the other. Both fingers rela- tively strong, normally developed, longitudinally carinate, their length clearly less (0.63 on major cheliped, 0.78 on minor cheliped) than height of palm; cutting edge of fixed finger of major cheliped with a low elongate subdistal tocth; cutting edge of dactylus with a proximal large low tooth. No clear tooth on cutting edge of fingers of minor cheliped. On both chelipeds brown colour of fixed finger extends a little on palm. Anterior border of the pereopods 2-5 nearly straight with a longitudinal row of small granul s. Granules a little acute and extend nearly all along on pereopod 2; feeble on pereo- pod 5 and limited to the proximal part on pereo- pods 3 and 4. Male pleopod devoid of any bunch of setae, with truncate apex, ornamented with subdistal acute spinules, larger and more numerous on outer side. Figure 5. — Male pleopod 1 of K. wilsoni, WAM 278-70 of cl:10.0, cb :10.8 Figure 6 . — Kraussia wilsoni, WAM 278-70. male of cl:11.0, cb:12.0. A, dorsal view. — B, pereopods 2, 3. — C, major cheliped. — D, minor cheliped. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July. 1972. 47 t, r Figure 7. — Male pleopod 1 of K. pelsartensis, WAM 265-70 of cl : 13 .3, cb: 15.6. Observations . — The paratype (smaller female) has the pre-distal tooth developed on the cut- ting edge of the fixed finger of the two cheli- peds. Such a difference could be related to the different size as well as to the sex of the speci- men. On the small female (WAM38-71) the discrepances in regard to the holotype is more accentuated; the difference between the major and the minor chelipeds is stronger, the major having comparatively a palm higher and the fingers shorter; the tooth on the cutting edge of the fixed finger is particularly large. The minor cheliped is more elongate, with dactylus more deeply carinate and granular on superior border. The extension of the brown colour of the fixed finger on the palm is already marked. By the shape of its carapace and chelipeds, wilsoni is closer to quadriceps than to any other species, but it clearly differs by several charac- ters of the front, the chelipeds, the dactyli of the pereopods 2-5 and the male pleopod 1. The fronto-orbital breadth is clearly more than half the largest breadth of the carapace, instead of being clearly less on quadriceps. The species is dedicated to Dr. B. R. Wilson from the Western Australian Museum, who col- lected the Type material, as well as an import- ant part of the other material used for the pres- ent paper. Figure 8 . — Kraussia pelsartensis, WAM 285-70, male of cl :14.6, cb:18.0. A, dorsal view. — B, pereopods 4, 5 (of WAM 270). — C, major cheliped. — D. minor cheliped. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 48 Journal of the Royal Scciety of Western Australia, Vol. 55 Part 2, July, 1972. 49 well separated from the front by the antennal sulcus but not acute. A small concavity is pres- ent behind extraorbital angle on antero-lateral margin of carapace, followed posteriorly by a convexity and a notch. Both chelipeds smooth, differently shaped but with palm of same length. Major cheliped with a swollen palm, as high as half its total length; both fingers short; Figure 9. — Male pleopod of K. roycei, WAM 269-70 of cl:13.2, cb :14. Figure 10 .— Kraussia roycei, WAM 269-70, male of cl:13.2 cb:14. A, dorsal view.— B, pereopods 4, 5.— C, major cheliped. — D, minor cheliped. Kraussia pelsartensis nov. sp. (Figs. 7, 8, 23D) Type specimen: Western Australian Museum, Perth. Type locality: off Hummock Island, Pelsart group, Abrolhos. Material. — Holotype, WAM.265-70, male of cl: 14.6, cb:18, lacking pereopods 2-5 on left side, and pereopod 4 on right side, Loc: 3 miles, west Hummock Island, Pelsart Group, Abrolhos, 20 faths., Source: R. W. George on “Davena”, 2.6.1960; Paratypes, WAM.268-70, 2 males, one of cl: 14.5, cb:18, another of cl: 12, cb:14.5, Loc- Cape Vlaming, Rottnest Island, Source: B. R. Wilson, Date coll: 1/3/1962; WAM.270-70, male of cl: 13, cb;16, Loc. S.W. of Point Cloates, 113° 39' 30"E, 22° 43' 30"S, Source: Ningaloo Exp:d., 7/9/1968; WAM. 274-70, 2 males, the largest of cl: 19.5, cb:ll, Loc: N.W. Rat Island, Abrolhos Group, Honolulu Dredge, 25 faths., coralline bank, Source: R. W. George on “Davena”, Date coll: 12/5/1960. Diagnosis. — Holotype. Carapace nearly smooth with some small flattened granules on the area close to the front and lateral border. Front quadrilobate with a deep open medium incision, little salient beyond the orbits. Inner supra orbital angle (preorbital spine) marked and m is fixed finger a little longer than on:-third of height of palm. Dactylus with some granules on the proximal third of its superior border and one large rounded tooth on its cutting edge; fixed finger with two molariform teeth on its cutting edge, proximal tooth much smaller. Minor cheliped with palm somewhat elongate, clearly less high than half its length; both fingers, elongate, som_what slim, tapering dis- tally with tips crossing and a gap between them. Fixed finger nearly as long as height of palm; dactylus much longer; fixed finger bent down- ward, a concavity marking lower border of palm. Dactyli of pereopods 2-5 have anterior border nearly straight (feebly sinuous), posterior borders convex; all anterior border of pereopods 2 and 5 denticulate; only its proximal half denticulate on pereopod 3. Denticles stronger on pereopod 5; pereopods 4 missing on both sides of holotype. On paratype (WAM.270-70) antirior border of dactyli of pereopod 4 like on pereopod 3 of holotype but with denticle extend- ing a little over its proximal half. Male pleo- pod with apex straight and ornamented on outer side by a subdistal row of 10 large but rela- tively short acicular sitae; outer side of stem with a series of strong short spines on distal fifth part of its length, inner side only orna- mented by some fine accicular spinules. Observations. — On the largest male of the paratypes