CRABS OF THE OGASAWARA ISLANDS, II : FIRST REPORT ON THE SPECIES OBTAlNED FROM STOMACHS OF FISHES

Abstract

Fragments of carapaces and chelipeds of the decapod crustaceans found in stomach contents of 30 specimens of Gnathodentex aurolineatus (LACEPEDE) and 5 of Lethrinus variegatus VALENCIENNES were examined. These two fish species of the family Lethrinidae living in rocky shore of shallow water are highly useful for food in the Ogasawara Islands. The results of identification are presented on pages 141-143. The crabs were referred to 18 species, viz., 1 of the Leucosiidae, 4 of the Majidae, 2 of the Parthenopidae, 2 of the Portunidae and 9 of the Xanthidae. Among them Coelocarcinus foliatus EDMONDSON of the Portunidae, which has hitherto been known only from two distant localities in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Hawaii and Madagascar, is of the most importance due to the first finding in Japanese waters. Since it is generally difficult to collect the crabs and to observe the habit of fishes living in rocky shore of shallow water, examination of stomach contents of fishes angled contirubtes to the knowledge of crab fauna in question as well as food habit of these useful fishes.