GASTROPTYCHUS-FORMOSUS (FILHOL, 1884) (DECAPODA, ANOMURA, CHIROSTYLIDAE) - TAXONOMIC HISTORY AND FIRST RECORD FROM THE WESTERN ATLANTIC

The rare chirostylid Gastroptychus formosus, until now known only from the eastern Atlantic, is reported for the first time from the western Atlantic, indicating a boreal circum-Atlantic distribution. This reco rd also represents the first occurrence mentioned of any chirostylid i n Canadian Pacific or Atlantic waters. The find was at a shallower dep th than any previous occurrences for this species. The specimen has be en deposited at the Atlantic Reference Centre, Huntsman Marine Science Centre, St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.