Pseudosquillisma Cappola & Manning, 1995

Pseudosquillisma Cappola & Manning, 1995 View in CoL View at ENA

Pseudosquillisma Cappola & Manning, 1995: 284–285 View in CoL . [ Type species Squilla oculata Brullé, 1837 , by original designation. Gender feminine].

Diagnosis. Eye with cornea strongly broadened, broader than stalk. Rostral plate ovoid, with short anterior spine. Carapace dorsum with pair of large, dark, circular eyespots. Raptorial claw propodus with 3 movable spines proximally. AS 1–5 with MG carinae only. Telson dorsal surface with 4 longitudinal carinae lateral to MD carina (accessory MD, anterior SM, anterior IM, MG). Uropodal protopod terminating in 2 slender, flattened spines, outer spine longer.

Composition. Pseudosquillisma adiastalta ( Manning, 1964) ; P. guttata ( Manning, 1972a) ; P. kensleyi Ahyong, 2005 ; P. oculata (Brullé, 1837) ; P. tweediei Ahyong, 2014 .

Remarks. Most similar to species of Raoulserenea , species of Pseudosquillisma bear a pair of large eyespots on the carapace, which along with general colour pattern, is the most convenient way of distinguishing between species. There are additional subtle morphological differences between species, but the genus needs revision, with previous records of Pseudosquillisma oculata from the Indo-West Pacific referred to P. tweediei Ahyong, 2014 ( Ahyong 2014). The current knowledge of the genus restricts P. oculata sensu stricto to the Atlantic Ocean. Of the three species of Pseudosquillisma from the Indo-West Pacific, only one is known from South African waters.