Scyllarides is placed in the subfamily Arctidinae, which is differentiated from other subfamilies by the presence of multiarticulated exopods on all three maxillipeds, and a three-segmented palp on the mandible. The only other genus in the subfamily, Arctides, is distinguished by having a more highly sculptured carapace, with an extra spine behind each eye, and a transverse groove on the first segment of the abdomen.[2]
Taxonomic history
In 1849, Wilhem de Haan divided the genus Scyllarus into two genera, Scyllarus and Arctus, but made the error of including the type species of Scyllarus in the genus Arctus. This was first recognised by the ichthyologistTheodore Gill in 1898, who synonymisedArctus with Scyllarus, and erected a new genus Scyllarides to hold the species that De Haan had placed in Scyllarus.[3]
Species
Scyllarides comprises the following extant species:[4][5]