STONE CRABS CLOSE TO THE ANTARCTIC CONTINENT - LITHODES-MURRAYI HENDERSON, 1888 (CRUSTACEA, DECAPODA, ANOMURA) OFF PETER-I-ISLAND (68-DEGREES-51'S, 90-DEGREES-51'W)

Live reptant decapod crustaceans have never been collected on the Anta rctic continental shelf, although shrimps occur locally in large quant ities. Therefore, the collection of four male individuals of the anomu ran decapod Lithodes murrayi off Peter I Island, close to the Antarcti c Continent, between 180 and 260 m water depth in February 1994 is of particular relevance for further studies on the origin and adaptation of Antarctic decapods. Another five specimens were observed in situ by a remotely operated vehicle at the same location.