Anatolikos Explained

Anatolikos is a genus of two species of crabs in the family Cancridae. They are recorded from Japan^[1] and Taiwan.^[2] Two fossil species are known, one from Japan^[1] and one from Mexico.^[3]

These crabs were classified in the genus Cancer until 2000, when it was split into several new genera.^[1]

Anatolikos species have a carapace that is wider than long and granular in texture. It is edged with several spines separated by fissures. Five of the spines coalesce to form a front that extends past the eyes, a character unique to the genus. The orbital rims are thickened; the genus Anisospinos has a similar feature, but can be distinguished by its sharp, curving spines.^[1]

The genus name is from the Greek anatolikos ("eastern"), a reference to its range in Japan.^[1] It includes the following species:^{[4] [3]}

Notes and References

1. Schweitzer, C. E. and R. M. Feldmann. (2000). Re-evaluation of the Cancridae Latreille, 1802 (Decapoda: Brachyura) including three new genera and three new species. Contributions to Zoology 69(4), 223-50.
2. Tavares, M. and R. Cleva. (2010). Trichopeltariidae (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura), a new family and superfamily of eubrachyuran crabs with description of one new genus and five new species. Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 50(9), 97-157.
3. Schweitzer, C. E., et al. (2006). New Decapoda (Anomura, Brachyura) from the Eocene Bateque and Tepetate Formations, Baja California Sur, México. Bulletin of the Mizunami Fossil Museum 33(2006), 1-14.
4. De Grave. Sammy. 19 January 2023. Anatolikos Schweitzer & Feldmann, 2000. 439211. 13 October 2024.