A HOTSPOT FOR CRETACEOUS GONIODROMITIDS (DECAPODA: BRACHYURA) FROM REEF ASSOCIATED STRATA IN SPAIN

Goniodromitidae is an extinct family of primarily Jurassic and Cretaceous crabs that are found mainly in Europe. Herein, we report upon a diversity hotspot for goniodromitids from the Koskobilo quarry in northern Spain exposing mid-Cretaceous (Albian/Cenomanian) coral reef limestones. Five species of goniodromitid are described and discussed: Distefania incerta, D. renefraaijei n. sp., Eodromites grandis, Goniodromites laevis, and Navarradromites pedroartali n. gen., n. sp. Furthermore. Distefania centrosa is herein synonymized with D. incerta. Eodromites grandis was previously known only from the Late Jurassic, resulting in a time gap of 45 Myr. Other species of decapod with long time ranges are known. Additionally, the Spanish representatives of Eodromites grandis are the only Cretaceous specimens known from this genus. Species of the genera Distefania, Eodromites, and Goniodromites were predominantly found in coral/sponge limestones from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of Europe and were important for the survival of the family into the Cretaceous and indirectly into the Paleocene.