264 



preceding specimen as regards the measurements, but the differences are perhaps of a local 

 character. The ova, few in number, are large, i mm. long. The stylocerite does not surpass 

 the basal antennular article and appears therefore a little shorter than the lower spine of the 

 basicerite. Telson longer, its length equals 2, 5 -times the distance between the posterolateral 

 spines and this distance is just half as large as the greatest width; the arrangement of the 

 spinules is the same. 



Merus of small cheliped 3-times longer than wide, its upper margin, like that of the 

 large cheliped, acute at ape.x, though a proper tooth is not developed. Relative dimensions of 

 small chela: fingers i; total length 2,9; height 0,93. 



Second legs stouter than in the preceding specimen. Merus 5,2-times longer than 

 wide. First carpal segment 3,57-times longer than thick, a little shorter than the sum of the 

 four following, which, taken together, are a little shorter than the chela; the 2°'^ segment is 

 slightly longer than the 3''^ or the 4"^ that are equal, fingers hardly one and a half as long 

 as the palm. 



The relative dimensions of the third legs are: merus 2,7; carpus i; propodus 2. Merus 

 4,4-times longer than wide and 1,3 5 -times as long as the propodus; the latter is 5,7-times 

 longer than wide and armed with 11 spinules, long 0,1 mm. Dactylus somewhat more than 

 one-fifth of the propodus and 2,76-times longer than wide; dorsal hook one and a half as long 

 and a little broader at the base than the other. 



In most specimens of the other stations the large cheliped is missing. 



Remarks. This species is apparently closely related to Sy7i. acantJdtelsonis and one 

 should be inclined to consider it as a variety, especially because in some individuals of Syni. 

 acantJiitelsonis from Stat. 273 the upper angle of the basicerite is unarmed, while in other 

 specimens, referred to Syni. hastilicrassus^ the upper margin of the merus of both chelipeds is 

 often acute, as e. g. in the female which has been described. The form of the telson is also 

 variable. 



General distribution: Maldive and Laccadive Archipelagoes. 



f 24«. Synalpheus hastilicrasstis Cout. var. ? 



Stat. 305. February 8. Mid-channel in Solor-strait off Kampong Menanga. 113 m. Bottom 



stony. I specimen, young. 

 Stat. 310. February 12. 8° 30' S., 119° 7'. 5 E. Sapeh Strait. 73 m. Sand with few pieces of dead 



coral. 4 specimens, i of which with eggs. 



The specimen from Stat. 305, which is 8 mm. long, probably also belongs to Syn. hastili- 

 C7'ass7is, but it is here described separately, on account of the form of the large chela. In the 

 male of Syn. hastilicrassus from Stat. 282 the relative dimensions of the large chela are: 

 fingers i; total length 4,2; height 1,5. In the specimen from Stat. 305, however, the dimensions 

 are: fingers i; total length 2,9; height 0,96. The fingers are, in this specimen, not only much 

 longer with regard to the length of the chela, but they show a more slender form than 

 in the specimens referred to Syn. hastilicrassus. There is a subacute tubercle on the anterior 

 margin of the palm. 



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