Holthuija aussie Ng & Forges 2015, n. sp.

(Figs. 25B–D, 26D, 37I, 40H, 42E, 46E, 54H, 56F)

Maja suluensis – Poore et al., 2008: 62. (not Maja suluensis Rathbun, 1916). (not Maja suluensis Rathbun, 1916).

Material examined. Holotype: ovigerous female (42.1 × 34.4 mm) (NMV J63752), Arafura Sea, 10°58.03’S 136°47.82’E, 107–108 m, coll. B. A. Glasby, CSIRO RV Southern Surveyor, 17 October 2012. Others: 1 juvenile female (14.3 × 11.9 mm [right branchial region with bopyrid parasite) (NMV J61058), Imperieuse L 23 Transect, northwestern Australia, 18°27.62’S 120°08.68’E – 18°27.72’S 120°08.68’E, 80–81 m, coll. M. Gomon, CSIRO RV Southern Surveyor, 19 June 2007. — 1 juvenile female (11.9 × 9.1 mm) (NMV J63958), off Red Bluff, Western Australia, 24°02.62’S 113°01.62’E – 24°02.83’S 113°01.73’E, 100 m, coll. G. Poore, CSIRO RV Southern Surveyor, 8 December 2005.

Diagnosis. Carapace covered with small granules (Fig. 25B–D). Pseudorostral spines long, diverging (Fig. 37I). Antorbital spine long, sharp, strongly curved upwards and anteriorly; intercalated spine triangular, with distinct gaps on each side; postorbital spine long, strong; hepatic spine short; median row with 5 long spines: 2 gastric, 3 cardiac (2 may be small in young specimens) (Figs. 25B–D, 37I). Lateral margin with 3 long spines increasing towards posterior; 1 very long branchial spine; 2 long upwardly directed spines on posterior carapace margin (Fig. 25B–D). Basal antennal article with 2 big blunt distal teeth; on inner margin 2 lobate teeth; external margin serrulated (Fig. 40H). Epistome with 2 tubercles on anterior margin (Fig. 40H). G1 not known.

Etymology. The species is named after a common nickname for Australians – “Aussie”. The name is used as a noun in apposition.

Remarks. Holthuija aussie n. sp. is the only species of the Maja group to possess three cardiac spines. The holotype of the species comes from the northwestern Australian coast, in the Arafura Sea, very close to Indonesian waters.

The identities of two juvenile specimens (J61058 and J53958) collected at 18°S and 24°S, is uncertain as they differ from the type in several aspects. The following differences are observed: the antorbital spine is not as curved in the juveniles as found in the adults; there are wide gaps on each side of the intercalated spine in the juveniles versus narrow gaps in the adults; all the lateral spines are shorter in the juvenile specimens; only one cardiac spine versus 3 in the adult; the distal spines on the basal antennal article are shorter and not so sharp; the cornea shape is different, being more elongate in the juveniles. They could belong to a new species but as neither specimens are adult, it was decided that this was best left to a later date when better material becomes available. They are here provisionally referred to Holthuija aussie for convenience.