Contribution to the Study of Xanthidae: Actaeinae (Decapoda: Crustacea) of India

The subfamily Actaeniae of four genera and 44 species from India and more than hundred species from the world. The present day carcinologists have grouped the species, erected few more genera, shifted the species and splitted the groups but the problems of identification have remained as difficult as before. Rather the work has become more complicated at present stage for want of suitable generic and specific keys. Literature are mostly in German and French and are very scattered, not easily available fro consultation. In most of the cases the reasons and the characters considered for erection of new species and genera are very vague and insignificant. In majority of cases discussions and remarks given for the new genera are very lengthy and without proper justice shown on the major significant characters. While discussions were made, the age, sex, sizes, number of examples studied, locality, their seasonal variations etc. were not taken into consideration. The present paper deals with the description of 44 species belonging to this subfamily, keeping in view the above consideration. A key for the species dealt with is suggested for conveniences sake, keeping in mind the textural patterns of the carapace of the small coral crabs, a character, which is more prominent than any other.