A revision of the higher taxonomy of the Afrotropical freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura) with a discussion of their biogeography

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorCumberlidge N.
dc.contributor.authorVon Sternberg R.M.
dc.contributor.authorDaniels S.R.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T15:58:58Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T15:58:58Z
dc.date.issued2008
dc.description.abstractThe higher taxonomy of the 20 known genera of Afrotropical freshwater crabs is revised to reflect the evolutionary relationships revealed by the consensus of a series of recent morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies of the group. The Afrotropical freshwater crab genera fall into two monophyletic groups, one from Socotra with two genera (Potamidae) and another that includes the remaining 18 genera. The latter group, which includes the bulk of the region's freshwater crab fauna, forms a well-supported monophyletic clade. We recognize two monophyletic sister groups (subfamilies) within the Potamonautidae, one for seven genera from Africa (the Potamonautinae) and one for 11 genera from Africa, the Seychelles, and Madagascar (the Deckeniinae). The Deckeniinae includes two monophyletic groups (tribes), one with seven genera from Madagascar (the Hydrothelphusini), and one with four genera from Africa and the Seychelles (the Deckeniini). The Deckeniini is further divided here into two subtribes, the Deckeniina and the Globonautina. The Platythelphusidae is not recognized, and the Deckeniidae and Globonautinae are lowered in rank. There is no phylogenetic support for the continued inclusion of any genus from the Afrotropical region in the Gecarcinucidae which is treated here as an exclusively Oriental family. The Afrotropical freshwater crabs (excluding those from Socotra) form a monophyletic assemblage that has no representatives outside of the region. The wider biogeographical implications of the taxonomic revision are discussed. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationBiological Journal of the Linnean Society
dc.identifier.citation93
dc.identifier.citation2
dc.identifier.issn244066
dc.identifier.other10.1111/j.1095-8312.2007.00929.x
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/10933
dc.subjectAfrotropical region
dc.subjectcladistics
dc.subjectclassification
dc.subjectcrab
dc.subjectevolution
dc.subjectfreshwater ecosystem
dc.subjecttaxonomy
dc.subjectzoogeography
dc.subjectAfrica
dc.subjectAsia
dc.subjectEurasia
dc.subjectIndian Ocean
dc.subjectIndian Ocean islands
dc.subjectMadagascar
dc.subjectMiddle East
dc.subjectSeychelles
dc.subjectSocotra
dc.subjectSouth Yemen
dc.subjectYemen
dc.subjectBrachyura
dc.subjectDecapoda (Crustacea)
dc.subjectDeckeniidae
dc.subjectGecarcinucidae
dc.subjectPlatythelphusidae
dc.subjectPotamidae
dc.subjectPotamoidea
dc.subjectPotamonautidae
dc.titleA revision of the higher taxonomy of the Afrotropical freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura) with a discussion of their biogeography
dc.typeArticle
Files
Collections
Stellenbosch University - Scopus Publications