Revision of the crab genera Chiromantes and Pseudosesarma

The phylogeny of two heterogeneous Indo-West Pacific and African sesarmid genera, Chiromantes Gistel, 1848, and Pseudosesarma Serène & Soh, 1970, is investigated using morphological and molecular methods. The two genera have previously been primarily separated by the presence or absence of an epibranchial tooth on the lateral margin of the carapace and the absence of stridulatory ridges and tubercles on the chela. Possibly related members of Bresedium Serène & Soh, 1970, Sesarmops Serène & Soh, 1970, and allied genera are included in the analyses. The analyses reveal a complex evolutionary history with numerous monophyletic clades supported by consistent morphological apomorphies. These clades are here described as nine new genera for which diagnoses are given and the constituent species described, figured and compared. This revision also includes the description of two new species and is a major step in the process of establishing a taxonomic system composed of monophyletic units for the Sesarmidae.