Calappa calappa ( Linnaeus, 1758 )

Calappa calappa ( Linnaeus, 1758) View in CoL

Calappa calappa View in CoL — Hill et al. 1978: 114; Morton 1979b: 136; Morton and Morton 1983: 158, fig. 10.4(5).

Taxonomy: Chen (1993), Galil (1997), Chen and Sun (2002).

Type: Lost (see discussion below).

Type locality: Asia.

Distribution: Western Indian Ocean to Central Pacific: from East Africa, Madagascar, India, to Indonesia and East Asia, and New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Hawaii ( Galil 1997; Chen and Sun 2002).

Habitat: Subtidal: rocky, gravelly and shelly bottoms, of depth 10 to 50 m ( Chen and Sun 2002).

Remarks: Calappa calappa was described by Linnaeus (1758) from somewhere in Asia. Cancer fornicatus Fabricius, 1781 , is generally regarded as a junior synonym, although the types of both nominal taxa have never been redescribed, figured or reexamined since their original descriptions. Galil (1997) listed in her synonymy two other species: Cancer flosculosus Seba, 1759 , and Cancer heracleoticus Seba, 1759 , but without any comments.

Linnaeus (1758: 630) described Cancer calappa very briefly, “C. brachyurus, thorace strigus fubimbricato gibbo trilobo.” He did not indicate if he had any specimens with him, but he did refer to Rumphius (1705: 21, pl. 11 figs. 2, 3) record of this species from Ambon ( Indonesia). The type locality was stated as from somewhere in Asia. In the Stockholm Museum in Uppsala, Sweden ( UMS), where Linnaeus’ material is now kept, there is specimen of Cancer calappa Linnaeus, 1758 (see Holm 1957: 56). The specimen was examined and thoroughly photographed through the courtesy of S.H. Tan who visited the museum at the request of the second author. The specimen ( UMS 254), a dried male measuring 70.8 by 125.2 mm, is still in good condition. This specimen was labelled as from the collection of “Gustav IV Adolf”, which was obtained by Linnaeus only after 1758 and subsequently reported in 1764 (see Holm 1957: 56; Wallin 1997: 16). This specimen, however, is not one of Linnaeus’ type (s) of Cancer calappa . Specimen UMS 254 was obtained only after 1758 and therefore cannot be a type. Linnaeus’ type specimen(s) of Cancer calappa Linnaeus, 1758 (if indeed he had any), is in all probability, lost. As Linnaeus (1758) also described C. calappa with reference to Rumphius’ (1705) work, Rumphius’ material could also constitute the type series. Unfortunately, the latter’s specimens are also lost.

The type specimen of Cancer fornicata Fabricius, 1781 , a dried male in the Natural History Museum of Denmark in the University of Copenhagen, is clearly a subjective junior synonym of Cancer calappa Linnaeus, 1758 . Fabricius (1781) did not indicate how many specimens he had with him, and as such, the only extant specimen is regarded as the lectotype of C. fornicata .

The identities of Seba’s (1759) Cancer flosculosus and C. heracleoticus is more problematic. The two taxa in question were published in the third volume of the series which is often cited as “1758” or “1761”, but Holthuis (1969) showed that it was released in 1759. In any case, Seba’s (1759) names are not available for nomenclatural purposes. The beginning of the Seba’s (1759) book (in the contents section after the preface) has an unpaginated summary list of the plates, with an associated index (in Latin) and table (in French), and this has names which appear to be binominal scientific names. Subsequently, Seba appended a similar Latin index and French table after each plate to elaborate on the figures, and it often contains what appear to be binomial names in Latin. The problem with Seba’s (1759) work is that in his Latin indices, he uses a mixture of binomial as well as polynomial names throughout the book. For the Decapod Crustacea, while most of these “scientific names” are in Latin and appear binomial, he also uses names like “ Cancer pagurus Maja ” (for numbers 2 and 3 of his plate 18), “ Cancer Uka una ” (for number 8 of his plate 18), and “ Cancer Ciri Apoa ” (for number 9 of plate 18). Article 11.4 states that for names to be nomenclaturally available, there must be “Consistent application of binominal nomenclature. The author must have consistently applied the Principle of Binominal Nomenclature [Art. 5.1] in the work in which the name or nomenclatural act was published …”, with the caveat that “An index published before 1931 in a work that is not consistently binominal is acceptable itself as a work consistent with the Principle of Binominal Nomenclature provided that the Principle is consistently applied to scientific names in the index; thus a scientific name published in such an index is available if the name satisfies the other provisions ….” (Article 11.4.3). As such, the scientific names in Seba’s (1759) work, even if they are interpreted as such, are not available as his work contravenes the said ICZN articles. Although Galil (1997) used these two Seba names as junior synonyms of C. calappa , on the basis of the current code, they also are also not available from her work even though she recognized them as available names.

While the names Cancer flosculosus Seba, 1759 , and Cancer heracleoticus Seba, 1759 , are not available for nomenclatural purposes, it is nevertheless useful to determine what they are, especially since Seba’s plates are good. Another issue is that the Latin text in the index and the French tables that briefly describes the species and figures do not always match, often emphasising different aspects. As such, it is necessary to know what he wrote about the two species in both Latin and French.

For Cancer flosculosus , the name was used for three different species crabs depicted in plate 19. The name was used in the contents page and subsequent index as follows:

Unpaginated contents page for plate 19: Latin: “2.

3. Cancer flosculosus , pronus & supinus.”

“13. Cancer flosculosus, Amboinensis , rarior,

elegantissimus.”

“24. Cancer flosculosus ”

French: 2. 3. “Cancre parfemé de fleurs, couché sur le dos & sur le ventre.”

“13. Cancre d’Amboine, parfemé de felurs, très rare, d’une grande beauté.”

“24. Cancre parfemé de fleurs.”

Indices after plate 19: Latin “Num. 2. Cancer flosculosus , pronus. Tegmen superius, pallide rubens, coccineis maculis, tanquam flosculis, distinguitur Pedes antici, quorum sinister, unà cum forcipe süo, vel altero tanto major est, quam dexter, saturate rubri funt coloris. E capitis rotundi parte antica oculi protuberant. Reliqui decem pedes posteriores, pallide rubentes, prater quaternos, è quibus constant, articulos, longis quoque & acuminatis unguiculis gaudent. Num. 3. Idem supinus.” [Number 2. Cancer flosculosus , in prone position. The upper cover, pale red, with crimson spots, like flowers, is distinguished by chelipeds, whose left, together with its forceps, is much larger than the right, are of a saturated red color. Eyes protruded from the front of the round head. The remaining ten hind feet, pale red, besides the four, and of which they consist, the joints, also have long and pointed claws. Number 3. Same as above in supine position.] ( Seba 1759: 46).

French: “N°. 2. Cancre décoré de taches en façon de petites fleurs, vu par dessus. Sa coque du dessus du corps est d'un rouge-pâle, sursemé de tâches d'un rouge d'écarlate, qui ont quelque ressemblance à de petites fleurs. Ses deux bras sont d'un rouge-foncé; le gauche muni d'une bonne pince est de beaucoup plus grand que le droit. Ses deux yeux ronds sortens de la téte, où ils font places à la partie antérieure. Ses pieds font au nombre de dix, d'un rouge déteint, composés de quatre articulations, & munis d'ongles longs & pointus. N°. 3. Le méme Cancre couché sur le dos.” [Number 2. Crab decorated with spots in the shape of small flowers, seen from above. Its upper body shell is a pale red, dotted with scarletred spots, which have some resemblance to small flowers. Its two chelipeds are dark red; the left one fitted with good pincers is much larger than the right one. Its two round eyes protrude from the head, where they give way to the front part. Its feet are ten in number, a faded red, composed of four joints, and equipped with long and sharp claws. Number 3. The same crab lying on its back.] ( Seba 1759: 46).

Latin: “Num. 13: Cancer flosculosus, Amboinensis , rarior, elegantissimus. Postica ejus pars lata admodum utrinque acuminatos emittit processus, raro admodum in aliis Cancris conspicuos. Testa superior, dilutè Arantii coloris, ocellis exiguis, quos inter quidam minutissimi funt, tanquam squamulis vestita, parte antica saturate Arantio colore interstincta, singulari flosculorum quafi apparatu superbit. Oculi, anteriùs circa os proxime ad se mutuo collocati, ope articuli cujusdam prominent, ut eminus dispicere queant. Brachia crassa, forcipata, pedesque postici & cauda tam pressè sub testa superiore contracta haerent, ut vix videri possint. [Number 13: Cancer flosculosus , from Ambon, rare, very elegant. Its posterior part is very broad and, on both sides, there are pointed processes, very rarely visible in other Cancers. The upper shell, of a dilute orange color, with small eyes, some of which are the smallest, as if clothed with scales, the anterior part interspersed with a saturated orange color, boasts a unique arrangement of flower patterns. The eyes, placed close to each other near the front of the mouth, protrude by means of a joint, so that they can see from a distance. The chelipeds are thick, forked, and the hind feet and tail are so tightly contracted under the upper shell that they can scarcely be seen.] ( Seba 1759: 47).

French: “N°. 13. Cancre d' Amboine, rare, magnifique, sursemé de taches qui imitent des fleurs. Le dessus de son corps sort large sur le derriere, est encore remarquable par deux apophyses pointues qu'on trouve rarement dans d'autres Cancres. Sa coque ici orangée-clair, semble comme revêtue de petites écailles par les petits boutons dont elle est couvèrte, qu'on prendroit pour autant d'yeux, & parmi lesquels il y en a quantité d'une extrême petitesse; la partie antérieure de la coque est d'un orangé plus obscur, mais superbe par un assemblage de taches faites en façon de fleurs. Ses yeux font situés l'un près de l'autre de chaque côté de la bouche, s’avançant en avant par le moyen de quelque appendice pour voir de loin. Ses deux gros bras sourchus, ses jambes, & sa queuë font si sort ramassés sous la coque, qu'on peut à peine les découvrir.” [Number 13. Ambon Crab, rare, magnificent, dotted with spots that imitate flowers. The top of its body comes out wide at the back, is further remarkable by two pointed processes which are rarely found in other Dunces. Its shell, here light orange, seems to be covered in small scales by the small buttons with which it is covered, which we take for so many eyes, and among which there are a number of extremely small ones; the anterior part of the shell is a darker orange, but superb with an assembly of spots made in the shape of flowers. Its eyes are located close to each other on each side of the mouth, projecting forward by means of some appendage to see from a distance. Its two big chelipeds, its legs, and its pleon are so compacted under the hull that we can barely discover them.] ( Seba 1759: 47).

Latin: “Num. 24. Cancer flosculosus , pronus. Pallida hîc rubedo saturatius rubris quasi florum foliolis, hinc inde dispersis, variegatur. Postica pars latio est, antica angustior rotunde convergit. Inter oculos apice quodam os prominet. Brachia crassa sunt; pedes vero postici minores sub ventre delitescunt.” [Number 24. Cancer flosculosus , in prone position. Carapace saturated with pale red spots reminiscent of flowers blooming. The posterior part is broad, the front is narrower and roundly converging. Between the eyes a kind of mouth protrudes at the tip. The chelipeds are thick; but the smaller hind feet are hidden under the belly.] ( Seba 1759: 49).

French: “N°. 24. Cancre orné de taches faites en façon defleurs, vu par dessus. Il est d’un rouge incarnat. émaillé de taches d'un rouge plus foncé, faites en maniere de petites feuilles de fleur femées çà & là. Sa partie de derriere est large, & sa partie de devant plus étroite & plus arrondie. Sa bouche pointue s'avance entre les yeux. Ses bras font gros. Ses pieds font petits, cachés fous le ventre.” [Number 24. Crab decorated with spots made in the style of flowers, seen from above. It is a crimson red. enamelled with spots of a darker red, made in the manner of small flower leaves cut here and there. Its back part is wide, and its front part narrower and more rounded. His pointed mouth juts out between his eyes. His chelipeds are big. His feet are small, hidden beneath his ventrum.] ( Seba 1759: 49).

For Cancer heracleoticus , the name was used for a crab depicted in plate 20. The name was used in the contents page and subsequent index as follows:

Unpaginated contents page for plate 20: Latin: “7. 8. Cancer Heracleoticus , pronus and supinus.” French: “7. 8. Cancre héracléotique, vu par dessus & par dessous.”

Indices after plate 20: Latin: “Num. 7. Cancer Heracleoticus , pronus. Rarissimus hic Cancer , unà cum aliis speciminibus, ex Amboina mihi missus est, sub nomine Cancri cristati, seu Galli marini. Aristoteli Pagurus vocatur ex mari Adriatico; Bellonio Cancer Heracleoticus , species Majae; J. Caesari Scaligero Pagurus , crista galli; Rondeletio Pagurus Migrane , id est, Malum Punicum; & Rumphio, in Museo Amboinensi, Cancer Calappoides. Unde equidem pater, aliis Authoribus alia placuisse nomina, pro varia similitudine, quam invenisse sibi quisque imaginatus est. Parte postica latus est limbo elato instructus. Cauda brevis & obrusa: amica pars angustior rotundè convergit. Testa superior, antrorsum, malum Punicum, maturescens, ipso etiam colore refert. Posteriora versus latior testa, instar aquae lente fluctuantis sulcata, undas maris dense congestas repraesentat. Oculi profunde intra testaceas orbitas, ad latera nasi veluti essictas, delitescunt. Num. 8. Idem supinus. Brachia duo antica, Galli capitibus fimilia, anterius admodum lata, incurvum singula unguem gerunt acuminatum, rubicundum, qui cum inferna forcipis parte, itidem antrorsum late protensa, arctè committitur limbo interno dentatus. Testa superior, geminae instar galli cristae, serrata & quam elegantissime picta est. Pedes octo postici, dilute flavi, ungues acutos, rubentes, gerunt.” [Number 7. Cancer Heracleoticus , in prone position. This very rare Cancer , together with other specimens, was sent to me from Ambon, under the name of Crested Cancer , or Rooster of the Sea. Aristotle’s Pagurus is called from the Adriatic sea; Bellonio’s Cancer Heracleoticus , a species of Majae; J. Caesar Scaligero’s Pagurus with a cock’s crest; Rondeletio’s Pagurus Migrane , that is, Phoenician Apple [pomegranate]; & Rumphius, in the Museum of Ambon, Cancer Calappoides. Wherefore , indeed, the originator, each one imagined that other authors had chosen other names, for the various likenesses which he had found for himself. The rear side is equipped with a raised rim. The tail is short and stubby: the friendly part is narrower and rounded. The upper shell, in front, represents the Punic apple, ripening, in the same color. The posterior towards the wider shell, like the furrows of slowly undulating water, represents the densely packed waves of the sea. The eyes are hidden deep within the orbits, along the sides of the front. Number 8. The same in supine position. Two chelipeds in front, similar to rooster heads, very wide in front, each curved claw is pointed, red, forming very sharp forceps on the side, also extended wide along the front is a serrated inner rim. The upper shell is like a cock's crest, serrated and most elegantly coloured. The hind feet are eight, pale yellow, and have sharp, red claws.] ( Seba 1759: 51–52).

French: “N°. 7. Cancre Héracléotique, vu par dessus. Ce Cancre qui est extrêmement rare m'a été envoyé d'Amboine avec d’autres Curiosités, sous le nom de Cancre portant une Crête, ou Coq de Mer. Aristote l'appelle le Squinado de la Mer Adriatique, Belon le Cancre Héracléotique Espece de Maeas, J. César Scaliger le Squinado à crête de Coq, Rondelet le Cancre Migraine, c'està-dire ressemblant à une Grenade qu'on nomme Migraine en Languedoc. Ainsi chaque Auteur lui a donné un nom à fa fantaisie, conformément à la ressemblance qu'il lui a trouvée avec telle ou telle chose. Il est large par derriere, avec une bordure relevée. Sa queuë est courte & obtuse. La partie antérieure de son corps est étroite & arrondie. La coque du dessus du corps ressemble par devant de couleur & de figure à une Grenade presque mure; ensuite s'élargissant sur le derriere du corps, elle est fillonnée de rayes faitesen ondes, representant celles de l'eau quand elles se touchent de prés & se succedent lentement les unes aux autres. Ses yeux sont cachés dans leurs orbites, qui semblent être creusés vers les côtés du nez. No. 8. Le même Cancre, vu par dessous. Ses deux bras ressemblent par leur figure à des tétes de Coq. Ils sont fort larges dans la partie antérieure, armés de pinces pointues au bout, de couleur rouge, dentelées intérieurement, & dont la supérieure qui est crochue entre dans l'inférieure par engrénure. La coque qui couvre l'Animal est ornée de belles couleurs, & entaillée sur les bords d'une dentelure qui imite une double créte de Coq.” [Number 7. Cancer Heracleoticus , seen from above. This crab which is extremely rare was sent to me from Ambon with other Curiosities, under the name of Crab wearing a Crest, or Sea Cock. Aristotle calls it the Squinado of the Adriatic Sea, Belon the Heracleotic Crab Species of Maeas, J. César Scaliger the Cock-crested Squinado, Rondelet the Cancer Migraine , resembling a Pomegranate which is called Migraine in Languedoc. Thus each Author has given it a name at will, in accordance with the resemblance he found to be close with this or that thing. It is wide from behind, with a raised border. Its tail is short & obtuse. The front part of its body is narrow & rounded. The shell of the upper body resembles an almost ripe pomegranate from the front in colour and figure; then widening on the back of the body, it is filled with wave-like stripes, like those of water when they touch closely and slowly follow one another. Its eyes are hidden in their sockets, which appear to be sunken towards the sides of the nose. Number 8. The same crab, seen from below. Its two arms look like rooster heads. They are very wide in the front part, armed with pointed pincers at the end, red in color, serrated internally, and the upper one, which is hooked, enters the lower one.

The shell which covers the animal is decorated with beautiful colors and notched on the edges with a serration which imitates a double crest of a rooster.] ( Seba 1759: 51–52).

Seba’s (1759) “ Cancer flosculosus ” is a mix of three species. The specimen depicted in plate 19 figures 2 and 3 (no locality given) is clearly what is today called Carpilius convexus (Forskål, 1775) ( Carpiliidae ), a widespread species in the Indo-West Pacific. That in plate 19 figure 13 is clearly Calappa flammea (Herbst, 1794) , a common species in the Atlantic. Although Seba reports that the specimen was from Ambon, there must be a mistake in the labelling. As for the specimen shown in plate 19 figure 24 (no location), it is probably a young Calappa calappa as its carapace has low nodules on the carapace. Seba’s (1759) “ Cancer heracleoticus ” (no location indicated) is clearly C. calappa , the morphology and colour agreeing in all aspects.