Neocallichirus Sakai 1988
Creators: name: Hyžný, Matúš
name: Hudáčková, Natália
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2012
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Malacostraca
Decapoda
Callianassidae
Neocallichirus

description: Genus Neocallichirus Sakai, 1988
Type species. Neocallichirus horneri Sakai, 1988 by original designation.
Remarks. The genus was erected by Sakai (1988) to accomodate callianassid forms characterized by the following features: carapace with well-defined dorsal oval, but without rostral carina and cardiac prominence; 3rd maxilliped without exopod, endopod subpediform, propodus expanded, over 3 times broader than dactylus; uropodal endopod broadened posteriorly; telson about as long as broad, about as long as uropods. These characters are, however, of very poor fossilization potential, and as Sakai (1988) stated, the form of the 3rd maxilliped alone is not specific to Neocallichirus, but is similar in several other genera, and therefore always a combination of characters has to be used for generic assignment. Later, Manning & Felder (1991) reconsidered the diagnosis of Neocallichirus and added also the characters on the chelipeds, which are common in the fossil record and therefore usable for palaeontologists too. They argued for the taxonomic importance of the shape of the merus (e.g. presence/absence of meral hook), which is significant for many callianassid genera. Schweitzer & Feldmann (2002) and Schweitzer et al. (2006 a) discussed usage of the characters on the major cheliped in the fossil record for assignment to the genus Neocallichirus. They noted that the carpus is variable in shape; however, it is not rectangular and typically has a rounded lower margin. The propodus has often serrated distal margin. The fixed finger tends to be edentulous, whereas the dactylus is stout and heavily armed with a triangular or rectangular tooth near the proximal end of the element.
The merus of members of Neocallichirus is variable in shape but is always serrate along the lower margin. According to Manning & Felder (1991), it lacks a meral spine or hook; according to Sakai (1999, 2005) it is with or without meral hook (mainly due to the synonymisation with the genus Sergio Manning & Lemaitre, 1994). Sakai (2011) stated that the merus is with or without ventral convexity.
There are several genera different from Neocallichirus, namely Sergio, Podocallichirus Sakai, 1999, and Grynaminna Poore, 2000, which in general share characters on the chelipeds mentioned above. It is typical that such a morphology, i.e. generalized cheliped morphology embracing all above mentioned genera, is in palaeontological literature connected virtually with Neocallichirus only. This can be documented by currently recognized fossil taxa assigned to respective genera. According to De Grave et al. (2009) and Schweitzer et al. (2010) there are 18 fossil species of Neocallichirus, but only one fossil species of Podocallichirus (known from the Pleistocene strata of Japan; see Karasawa et al. 2006) and no fossil Grynaminna (see Hyžný & Karasawa in press for a different view). One extant species of Sergio is also known from the fossil state (Portell & Agnew 2004).
Much confusion has been created by Sakai (1999, 2005) when he synonymized Sergio with Neocallichirus and Grynaminna with Podocallichirus (see also Sakai 2011 for a different view on the taxonomy of these genera). Thus, we can talk about several different taxonomic concepts of Neocallichirus presented by Sakai (1988, 1999, 2005, 2011) and Manning & Felder (1991). Identifying the fossil material as a member of any of the above mentioned genera strongly depends on taxonomy adopted. Therefore it is possible that the genus Neocallichirus as usually recognized in the fossil record is a mixture of closely allied genera. The issue was recently discussed by Hyžný & Karasawa (in press).
Neocallichirus brocchii (L ő renthey, 1897) new combination (Figs 2–6)
Calianassa Brocchii Lőrenthey, 1897: 161, 168, 169; Lőrenthey, 1898a: 106, 114, 115; Lőrenthey, 1898b: 132 –134, 155, pl. 9, fig. 5; Lőrenthey, 1898b: 104 –105, pl. 9, fig. 5; Lőrenthey in Lőrenthey & Beurlen, 1929: 64, pl. 2, fig. 13;
Callianassa Brocchii. — Glaessner, 1929: 77.
? Calianassa cf. Brocchii. — Lőrenthey in Lőrenthey & Beurlen, 1929: 69.
Callianassa brocchii. — Müller, 1979: 274; Schweitzer et al., 2010: 34.
‘ Callianassa ’ brocchii. — Müller, 1984: 51, pl. 3 fig.3.
" Callianassa " brocchi (sic). — Hyžný, 2011a: 41, Table 2.; Hyžný, 2011b: 167, Table 1.
Emended diagnosis. Strongly heterochelous callichirine ghost shrimp with chelipeds without pronounced tuberculation. Merus of major cheliped ovoid with lower margin possesssing a toothed blade consisting of up to 12 teeth; carpus broad with rounded and serrated lower margin; propodus tapering distally with serrated lower margin, the palm subequal in length and height, distal margin rounded and serrated, occlusal margin of fixed finger armed with small teeth; dactylus long and slender with occlusal margin forming a well developed keel with long, quadrate, blunt tooth proximally and one indented, sharp tooth distally followed with several tiny teeth, tip forming sharp hook. Carpus of minor cheliped slightly higher than propodus; propodus slender, tapering distally, fixed finger about as long as manus; fingers without armature, occlusal margin of dactylus forming weak serrated keel.
Emended description. Major cheliped massive, located on either right or left side of body, smooth, without pronounced tuberculation on lateral surfaces; outer surface usually vaulted. Two different morphotypes were identified in the nature of major cheliped; robust morphotype is relatively larger than slender morphotype. Ischium is slender, longer than high, tapering proximally, not well preserved.
Major chela robust morphotype: Merus ovoid in shape, longer than high (L/H = 1.5–1.7), highest proximally; lower margin with toothed blade (up to 12 teeth present); upper margin slightly convex (Figs 2 G, 4F–H, J, K). Carpus broad, massive, approximately as long as high (L/H = 0.8–1.1); upper margin straight; lower margin rounded forming one edge with proximal margin (Figs 4 A–E), serrated with tiny denticles (Fig. 4 D); upper and lower margin forming prominent keel curved inward. Propodus massive, longer than high, slightly longer than carpus, tapering distally (Figs 2 A, 3); palm of the propodus subequal in length and height; upper margin slightly convex; lower margin straight, serrated (Figs 3 A, O); upper and lower margins keeled, keel missing on fixed finger; distal margin rounded and serrated with up to 10 small denticles on each side of articulation with dactylus, serrated incision present just below the articulation with dactylus (Figs 2 A, 3D, J, M). Fixed finger slender, triangular in shape; occlusal margin armed with small teeth, forming serrated keel on the outer side of fixed finger from distal view (Figs 2 E, 3S); tip curved slightly upward; lower margin serrated. Dactylus long and slender, occlusal margin forming sharp keel with long quadrate blunt tooth proximally and one indented sharp tooth distally followed with several tiny teeth (Figs 2 F, 3E–I); tip bent slightly downward or forming sharp hook (Fig. 3 G).
Major chela slender morphotype: Merus ovoid in shape, longer than high, highest at midlength; lower margin finely serrated without distinct tooth blade (Figs 2 H, 4I). Carpus higher than long (L/H = 0.70–0.85) (Figs 2 B, 3P, 6C), keels on upper and lower margins not as pronounced as in robust morphotype; lower margin serrated. Propodus distinctly longer than carpus, general shape much the same as in robust morphotype (Figs 2 B, 3B, 6C). Fixed finger with serrated keel on occlusal margin positioned in the middle (Figs 2 D, 3Q, R) instead of lateral position of robust morphotype. Dactylus similarly shaped as in robust morphotype (Fig. 3 B).
Minor cheliped more slender than major one, smooth (Fig. 2 C). Ischium and merus not well preserved. Carpus slightly longer than high, higher than propodus (Figs 2 C, 6B); upper and lower margins convex. The palm of the propodus as long as high; distal margin without serration (Figs 5 A–D); lower margin of propodus slightly convex at the point where fixed finger beggins. Fixed finger about as long as palm, slender, forming sharp tip, occlusal margin not armed. Dactylus long, slender; occlusal margin forming faint finely serrated keel, no bigger teeth present (Fig. 5 E).
Variations. The studied material consists of the two morphotypes described above. The overall shape of the propodus and morphology of the dactylus and minor chela clearly demonstrate that both morphs belong to the same species. Both morphotypes occur together in the same strata, so they represent the same population (or sequence of populations). The recognized morphs may mirror sexual dimorphism (slender morphotype being a female one); however, it is very difficult to determine sex in the fossil state, especially when dealing with Neocallichirus. No obvious sexual dimorphism has been observed in several extant species (see Dworschak 2011a, b). Thus, the interpretation of morphs as sexual dimorphism should be considered as a preliminary one. Possible attribution of the slender morphotype to female individuals is based mostly on other callianassid taxa in which mature males usually possess more robust chelipeds than females (e.g., Felder & Lovett 1989 and references therein).
The merus shows variations in the number of teeth on its lower margin which seems to be a consequence of growth (more teeth are present on larger meri) rather than real variability. The variation in meral shape, notably the development of the meral blade, can be documented in several extant Neocallichirus species, e.g. in N. grandimanus (Gibbes, 1850) (compare e.g. Manning 1987: fig. 2; Lemaitre & Ramos 1992: fig. 5; Blanco-Rambla 2000: fig. 2) and N. jousseaumei (Nobili, 1904) (compare e.g. Nobili 1906: fig. 2; Kensley 1976: fig. 2; Dworschak 2011 a: figs. 1–4). In this respect the merus of the slender morphotype of Neocallichirus brocchii comb. nov., without a pronounced meral blade (Fig. 2 H), is similar to the merus of N. grandimanus depicted by Lemaitre & Ramos (1992: fig. 5d), whereas the merus of the robust morphotype with a well developed meral blade (Fig. 2 G) can be compared with the merus of N. grandimanus depicted by Blanco-Rambla (2000: fig. 2c).
There are slight variations in the outline of the distal margin of the propodus. Variations exist mainly in the nature of the incision under dactylus articulation. In the robust morphotype the incision is usually deeper and more rounded (e.g. Figs 3 D, J, M), whereas in the slender morphotype, it is sometimes completely missing.
Other variations concern the cutting edge of the dactylus. The proximal quadrate tooth is usually divided in two secondary blunt teeth, the distal one being broader. The subdivision is, however, not always distinct and also the shape of the subdivided teeth is variable (Fig. 2 F).
No obvious allometric growth in the nature of any cheliped element has been recognized, although there is one isolated propodus in the present collection (KGP-MH DH066; Fig. 3 T) which shows a propodus length/height ratio (L/H = 0.6) rather different from all other studied specimens. The nature of the fixed finger (position of serrated keel) resembles that of the slender morphotype. The specimen itself is, however, much bigger than the usual size of the slender morphotype propodus.
Material examined. FI M.2329 (holotype – left propodus of robust morphotype articulated with dactylus); KGP-MH DH-001–KGP-MH DH-015; M.86.249 (1 left and 1 right fragmented propodi; SNM Z- 7943 (collective number), SNM Z- 16419 (collective number), SNM Z- 16433 (collective number), SNM Z- 37532– SNM Z- 37553; PCMH-001–PCMH-003; PCRB DH-001– PCRB DH-016. For measurements and all the details see Table 1.
merus carpus propodus dactylus SNM Z- 37548 unknown R 8.7 5.0 - - - - - continued next page Occurrence. The species has been reported only from the Serravallian (Middle Miocene), specifically from the upper 'Badenian' of the Rákos Formation – localities Rákos, Budafok and Gyakorló út in the Budapest City area (Hungary) (Lőrenthey & Beurlen 1929; Müller 1984); and the lower 'Sarmatian' of the Studienka Formation – locality Dúbravská hlavica in the Bratislava district (Slovakia)
(Hyžný 2011 a, b; this contribution).
Remarks. The species possesses a combination of characters which is quite typical for Neocallichirus: serrated lower margins of the merus, carpus and propodus; rounded lower margin of the carpus; upper margin of the propodus converging distally; an edentulous fixed finger (which is only finely denticulated), and an armed dactylus with hooked tip.
In his major work, Müller (1984: 51) already noted the morphological similarity of Callianassa brocchii to C. natalensis Barnard, 1947. Müller (1984) examined only the holotype of C. brocchii and five additional propodi from the Budapest City localities (see above). At that time no carpi or meri were known, or at least were not attributed to C. brocchii.
Müller (1984: 51) stated that Callianassa brocchii can be differentiated from similar extant species (Callianassa gilchristi Barnard, 1947, C. natalensis) on the basis of "the saw-like lower edge". This is not correct, however, as C. natalensis does possess serration on the lower margin of the propodus (see e.g. Dworschak 2011 a: fig. 5D, E) as do Neocallichirus species.
Neocallichirus brocchii comb. nov. is morphologically very similar to the extant Neocallichirus lemaitrei Manning, 1993, and allied species (see also comparison with N. grandimanus and N. jousseaumei above). The armature of the dactylus is similar to extant N. cacahuate Felder & Manning, 1995, N. jousseaumei, N. lemaitrei, N. monodi (de Saint Laurent & Le Loeuff, 1979) and N. natalensis. In fossil taxa the variation in the shape of the dactylus is not very well known; however, none of those described can be fully compared to Neocallichirus brocchii comb. nov. The combination of characters as presented in the diagnosis and description is unique for this species, although some similarities can be found with Neocallichirus aetodes Schweitzer, Iturralde-Vinent, Hetler & Velez- Juarbe, 2006 from the Lower Oligocene of Puerto Rico and N. hattai Karasawa & Nakagawa, 2010 from the Lower to Middle Miocene of Japan.
The original description of Callianassa brocchii is based on a single specimen of left major propodus articulated with dactylus; Lőrenthey (1898 a) and Lőrenthey & Beurlen (1929) erroneously treated it as a right one, although the accompanying figures clearly show it as being left, as re-examination of the type material also confirmed. Lőrenthey in Lőrenthey & Beurlen (1929: 65) mentioned another two specimens, which may probably be assigned to this species, although no figures of them were added. Another specimen was reported by Beurlen in Lőrenthey & Beurlen (1929: 69). He classified the material as Callianassa cf. brocchii, however, he stated that it morphologically conforms with the description of C. brocchii. As no figure of the material was added, we are hesitant to assign the material to the species with certainty. Interestingly in the description it is mentioned that "Form des Carpus, die Grösse, der Index, soweit es das abgebrochene Stück erkennen lässt, stimmen volkommen mit dieser Art überein" (As far as the broken specimen can be identified, the form of carpus, its size, and the fixed finger correspond precisely to this species). As C. brocchii has been described on the basis of an articulated propodus and dactylus only, and no carpus was described in the original description, we assume that Beurlen made a mistake and meant, in fact, propodus instead of carpus.
There is much confusion in citing Lőrenthey's works. As stated by Müller (1984: 32): "Lőrenthey's first papers were published in parallel Hungarian and German versions with identical contents. He presented the same data in preliminary publications without figures (Lőrenthey 1897, 1898a), and in definite papers with excellent figures and detailed descriptions (Lőrenthey 1898b, c)". Callianassa brocchii was first described as a new species in such a preliminary publication in 1897. In this paper a short description with comparison with similar taxa can be found which satisfies the ICZN rules for a new species designation. Later the description of C. brocchii was refined and figures were added (Lőrenthey 1898b, c). Thus, the year 1897 is considered as the year of description of Callianassa brocchii contrary to Glaessner (1929) and Schweitzer et al. (2010) where the species appeared as described in 1898 (see also discussion in Müller 1984: 32).
Müller (1984: 50) erroneously assumed that the handedness is quite typical for every callianassid species: "Most of recent Callianassids (sic!) are strongly heterochelous. Surprisingly, in the diverse 'Badenian' material no evidence of heterochely was observed, as right and left chelae are found in same proportion and in same size as well, with the exception of C. brocchii ". It should be noted here that Müller (1984) examined only six specimens of C. brocchii comparing to often tens and hundreds of specimens in other " Callianassa " species. Therefore, it seemed to him that C. brocchii was the only heterochelous species among 'Badenian' callianassid forms.
description: Published as part of Hyžný, Matúš & Hudáčková, Natália, 2012, Redescription of two ghost shrimps (Decapoda: Axiidea: Callianassidae) from the Middle Miocene of the Central Paratethys: systematics, intraspecific variation, and in situ preservation, pp. 1-25 in Zootaxa 3210 on pages 4-12, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.209484