Brachyuran type specimens (Crustacea : Decapoda) in the MacLeay Collection, University of Sydney, Australia

William Sharp MacLeay's (1838) paper was one of the most important for the 19(th) century, with the author establishing 17 suprageneric taxa, seven ne w genera and 23 new species from South Africa, described. The status, valid ity and taxonomy of these taxa are discussed and the extant type specimens are figured in detail for the first time. Of the 23 species described, type s are extant for 18 species. Examination of these specimens also leads to s ome changes to the taxonomy of several species of Eriphia [Eriphiidae], Tra pezia (= Grapsillus) [Trapeziidae], and Planes (= Nautilograpsus) [Grapsida e].