Geograpsus severnsi Paulay & Starmer, 2011
Severns' terrestrial crab
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Allied to Geograpsus grayi (Paulay & Starmer 2011).
Conservation Status
Extinct
Last record: 300 AD or later
The finding of sub-fossil remains of a terrestrial species of crab was a major find. Previously it was believed that no fully terrestrial decapod had colonized the islands. However, the species did not just colonize the islands, but at least several of them as sub-fossil remains have been found on Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Oahu, and Hawaii itself (Paulay & Starmer 2011, see Table 2).
Distribution
Hawaiian Islands, USA
Biology & Ecology
Hypodigm
Holotype: USNM 539,738
Type locality: "Maui: Pu'u Naio Cave, 305 m elevation"
Paratypes (all from Maui):
USNM 539,739
USNM 539,740
USNM 539,741
UF IP 168,821
UF IP 168,822
UF IP 168,823
Non-types:
Kauai:
USNM 539,742
USNM 539,743
UF IP 168,827
Oahu:
USNM 539,744
Molokai:
USNM 539,745
USNM 539,746
Maui:
USNM 539,747
USNM 539,748
UF IP 168,824
UF IP 168,825
UF IP 168,826
Hawaii:
USNM 539,749
USNM 539,750
USNM 539,751
USNM 539,752
USNM: 539,753
Media
Above: the holotype of Geograpsus severnsi. Source: Paulay & Starmer, 2011. Reproduced under CC BY 2.5 licence.
References
Original scientific description:
Paulay, G. and Starmer, J. (2011). Evolution, Insular Restriction, and Extinction of Oceanic Land Crabs, Exemplified by the Loss of an Endemic Geograpsus in the Hawaiian Islands. PLoS ONE 6(5): e19916.
Other references:
Giffin, Jon G. (2003). Pu’u Wa’awa’a Biological Assessment. Pu’u Wa’awa’a, North Kona, Hawaii. Report, State of Hawaii, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
http://extinctanimals.proboards.com/thread/15148/geograpsus-severnsi-hawaiian-land-crab