The Globonautinae Bott, 1969, fresh-water crabs from west Africa (Brachyura, Potamoidea, Gecarcinucidae)

The taxonomy of the African gecarcinucid flesh-water crabs in the Globonautinae Bott, 1969, is reviewed. The subfamily is recognised by a mandibular palp with a terminal segment with two large, subequal-sized lobes, by a third maxilliped which lacks a flagellum on the exopod, by a straight-sided triangular male abdomen, and by a West African origin. The Globonautinae are compared with the other subfamilies of the Gecarcinucidae Rathbun, 1904. Gecarcinautes brincki Bott, 1960, is removed from the Gecarcinucidae and reassigned to the Potamonautidae. Keys to distinguish the families of African fresh-water crabs and the subfamilies of the Gecarcinucidae are included, and the biogeographical implications of the taxonomic revision are discussed.