| Abstract |
The shovel-nosed lobster genus Thenus Leach, 1815, long considered to contain only Thenus orientalis (Lund, 1793), is
revised and five species recognised. Thenus indicus Leach, 1815, which had been relegated to the synonymy of T. orientalis,
is reinstated and a lectotype designated. Three new species T. australiensis, T. unimaculatus and T. parindicus are
diagnosed. Specimens of Thenus were collected from various locations throughout the Indo-West Pacific Oceans. Samples
were analysed using a concordance approach involving three techniques: morphometrics/morphology, starch gel
isozyme electrophoresis, and mitochondrial DNA sequencing of 16S and COI genes. All three investigations supported
the recognition of five species. Despite significant genetic divergence, several sympatric species are morphologically
similar and identification can be difficult; a key using a combination of live colour patterns and morphometric ratios is
presented as an aid to species discrimination. |
Burton, T.E. and P.J.F. Davie (2007) A revision of the shovel-nosed lobsters of the genus Thenus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Scyllaridae), with descriptions of three new species. Zootaxa 1429: 1–38. 