A first record of anchialine crab of the genus Orcovita Ng and Tomascik, 1994 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae) from Japan, with description of the species

Orcovita miruku, new species, is described from Ishigaki Island, southern Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Orcovita miruku is easily distinguished from the other congeners by the presence of three teeth (including external orbital angle) on the anterolateral margin of the carapace. Orcovita angulata may be allied to O. miruku, but there are a number of differences in the characters of the carapace and the ambulatory legs. The holotype, obtained from an anchiline pool in a limestone excavation, is the only specimen collected thus far, and this is the first record of an anchiline crab from Japan.     

A new species of Gastrosaccus Norman, 1868 (Mysida,Mysidae, Gastrosaccinae) from a sandy shore of Indonesia

A new species of the mysid crustacean genus Gastrosaccus Norman, 1868 (Mysida, Mysidae, Gastrosaccinae) is reported from a sandy shore of Lombok Island, Indonesia. These specimens resemble G. sorrentoensis Wooldridge & McLachlan, 1986 and G. yuyu Bamber and Morton, 2012 by the possession of an articulated process on the fifth abdominal somite together with a fringe of spine-like filaments on the posterodorsal margin of the carapace. The Lombok population differs from the known congeners by having comparatively fewer numbers of carpopropod segments on the endopod of the third to eighth thoracic limbs and the conformation in the telson and in the male third pleopod. Hence, G. lombokiensis sp. n. is proposed herein as a third species of “G. sorrentoensis” species group.     

Taxonomy, morphology and speciation of the Semicytherura henryhowei group (Crustacea, Ostracoda)

The genus Semicytherura belongs to the family Cytheruridae, and was distinguished from Cytherura on the basis of carapace features. Species of Semicytherura from Japan and adjacent seas can be divided into two groups. One is represented by Semicytherura miurensis Hanai, 1957, characterized by a thin, oval carapace covered with fine reticulation. The other is represented by Semicytherura henryhowei Hanai & Ikeya, 1977, characterized by a thick sub-rectangular carapace in lateral view. Semicytherura henryhowei, which is distributed from Hokkaido to Okinawa in Japan, has been regarded as having several morphotypes distinguishable on outline and reticulation of carapace. However, as a result of detailed observations on the copulatory organ, carapace outline and distributional pattern of pore systems, remarkable differences are shown to exist between the two most frequently occurring morphotypes. In order to recognize S. henryhowei sensu stricto, the carapace of the holotype was re-examined. Consequently, neither of the two morphotypes are considered to belong to S. henryhowei due to differences of carapace outline and distribution of pore systems. The two morphotypes are here regarded as independent taxa, described as new: S. kazahanan. sp. and S. sasameyukin. sp. The geographical distributions of the two new species overlap, but their micro-habitats differ from each other; the former lives on calcareous algae on rocky shores, the latter lives on silty sand bottom within the inner bay. A third new species, S. slipperi sp. nov., is also described. In view of their present geographical distributions and fossil records, the origin of this group of species would appear to be the Japanese islands or adjacent areas in and after the Miocene. This group then migrated to the Arctic Ocean and East Pacific Ocean during or before the middle Pliocene.     

An unusual new species of paguroid (Crustacea,Anomura, Paguridae) from deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico

A new hermit crab species of the family Paguridae, Tomopaguropsis ahkinpechensis sp. n., is described from deep waters (780–827 m) of the Gulf of Mexico. This is the second species of Tomopaguropsis known from the western Atlantic, and the fifth worldwide. The new species is morphologically most similar to a species from Indonesia, Tomopaguropsis crinita McLaughlin, 1997, the two having ocular peduncles that diminish in width distally, reduced corneas, dense cheliped setation, and males lacking paired pleopods 1. The calcified figs on the branchiostegite and anterodorsally on the posterior carapace, and the calcified first pleonal somite that is not fused to the last thoracic somite, are unusual paguroid characters. A discussion of the affinities and characters that define this new species is included, along with a key to all five species of Tomopaguropsis.     

Lamprops donghaensis sp. n. (Crustacea,Cumacea, Lampropidae), a new species from Korean waters

A new species of Cumacea belonging to the genus Lamprops Sars was collected from the East Sea of Korea. This new species resembles Lamprops comatus Zimmer, Lamprops carinatus Hart, Lamprops flavus Harada, Lamprops pumilio Zimmer, Lamprops tomalesi Gladfelter, and Lamprops obfuscatus (Gladfelter) in lacking lateral oblique ridges on the carapace and lateral setae on the telson. The new species, however, is distinguished from its congeners by having a dorsal concave groove and a lateral rounded depressed area on pereonite 2. The new species is fully illustrated and compared with related species. A key to the world Lamprops species lacking lateral ridges on the carapace is also provided.     

Discovery of Iliestheria (Crustacea: spinicaudatan) from the Lower Jurassic Sangonghe Formation in Junggar Basin,northwestern China

Iliestheria Li and Shen, 1995, was erected based on specimens of two co-occurring species from the Lower Jurassic Badaowan Formation in Nilka, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwestern China. Since then Iliestheria has not been reported in any other locality, partly because clam shrimp from the Lower Jurassic in western China have been reported with studies only based on the outline of the carapace, most of them as Euestheria or Palaeolimnadia components. Here we report a new species of Iliestheria from the Pliensbachian–Toarcian Sangonghe Formation, based on scanning electron microscopic characteristics of the carapace morphology. We also revise the diagnosis of the genus based on re-examination using SEM microscopy of the two species from the Badaowan Formation, to include spinicaudatans characterized by growth bands ornamented by radial lirae intercalated with 2–4 columns of puncta; radial lirae sporadically curved and branched to form fine reticulation on the growth bands in the anterior and upper parts of the carapace. This study indicates that the stratigraphic range of Iliestheria extends to late Early Jurassic.     

Una nueva especie de Neuryurus Ameghino (Mammalia, Glyptodontidae) en el Pleistoceno tardío de la Mesopotamia de Argentina

Among the South American Pleistocene Glyptodontidae (Xenarthra, Cingulata), one of the most scarcely represented genus in the fossil record is Neuryurus Ameghino, in which the only well characterized species, until now, is Neuryurus rudis (Gervais), coming from the Ensenadan (early-middle Pleistocene) of the Pampean region, Argentina. In this contribution, we report and describe a new species of Neuryurus, coming from the Arroyo Feliciano Formation (early Lujanian; ca. 130 ka), Entre Ríos province, Argentina, in a particular palaebiogeographic context, more associated with the western sector of Uruguay and southern Brazil than the Pampean region. From a morphological perspective, this new taxon is characterized by: (a) the remarkable development of the foramina at the exposed surface of the osteoderms of the dorsal carapace, showing un aspect almost spongy; (b) the large diameter of the perforations observed in the ventral surface of the osteoderms, resembling to those present in the dorsal surface of the osteoderms of the Glyptodontidae Doedicurinae; (c) the evident thickness of the osteoderms, as in Glyptodon Owen; (d) area of contact and articulation of adjacent osteoderms very denticulate, with deep osseous interdigitating projections, as in Glyptodon and Glyptotherium Osborn, but here more evident; (e) larger osteoderms of the dorsal carapace showing, in the dorsal surface, many little conical tubercles, having some resemblance to Panochthus tuberculatus Burmeister. The presence of this new species in the early late Pleistocene of the Mesopotamic region is another element that adds to the biogeographical characterization of this particular area, especially evident during the warm and humid pulses of the late Pleistocene. In turn, this species represents the most complete record of the genus outside the Pampean region and partially complete the stratigraphic and geographic distribution of the genus.     

The eastern swamp crayfish Gramastacus lacus sp. n. (Decapoda,Parastacidae) a new species of freshwater crayfish from coastal New South Wales,Australia

Gramastacus lacus sp. n., is described from coastal lowlands of the Central and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales, Australia. Gramastacus lacus has a restricted distribution in ephemeral habitats, being dependent on regular natural flooding and drying cycles, and burrows for survival during temporary dry cycles. Documented are population distributions in lowland habitats (3–48 m, a.s.l.) from Wamberal Lagoon, north along the coastal strip to Wallis Lake. The species is small, reaching a maximum weight of 7 grams and 21.3 mm OCL, and distinguished by a large male genital papilla, large raised post orbital ridges, laterally compressed carapace and elongated chelae.     

Chaerilus pseudoconchiformus sp. n. and an updated key of the chaerilid scorpions from China (Scorpiones,Chaerilidae)

A new species, Chaerilus pseudoconchiformus sp. n., is described from Xizang, China. The present new species is distinguished from its congeners by a body length of 32−40 mm, carapace with the anterior margin straight, chela with length/width ratio average of 3.3 in males (3.2−3.4, two adults), and 2.5 in females (2.3−2.6, nine adults), eight or nine (eight usually) rows of denticles on fixed and movable fingers of pedipalp chelae, five pectinal teeth in males and three or four in females. To date, the chaerilid species fauna of China consists of nine species. An updated identification key to Chaerilus from China is presented.     

New species of Thylacocephala (Arthropoda) from the Spathian (Lower Triassic) of Chaohu,Anhui Province of China

We describe a new species of Thylacocephala, Ankitokazocaris chaohuensis sp. nov., from the Upper Spathian (Early Triassic) of Chaohu, Anhui Province, China. It is diagnosed by its unique outline of the carapace, small size, and the narrow and asymmetrical anterior notch. Fine preservation reveals at least 14 posterior appendages, traces of gills and raptorial appendages, and remains of trunk segments and muscles in Ankitokazocaris for the first time. This is the first report of Thylacocephala from the Early Triassic of China, confirming the wide distribution of this group in the Tethys. The new species is closer to the type species of Ankitokazocaris, which is stratigraphically somewhat older, than to a recently described almost coeval species from Japan.     

The description of a new species of the Neotropical land crab genus Gecarcinus Leach, 1814 (Crustacea,Decapoda, Brachyura,Gecarcinidae)

In this contribution a new species of the land crab genus Gecarcinus Leach, 1814, from the Neotropical Pacific coast of South America is described and illustrated. In addition to its unique body color, Gecarcinus nobilii sp. n. is distinguished from congeners by a distinctly wider carapace front and differences in the shape of the infraorbital margin. The new species is not isolated from Gecarcinus populations from the Pacific coast of Central America by an insurmountable geographic barrier. Considering the closure of the Panamanian Isthmus as a calibration point for morphological divergence between the trans-isthmian mainland populations of Gecarcinus, the virtual lack of morphological differentiation (other than color) between them and the distinctness of G. nobilii sp. n. suggests that G. nobilii sp. n. evolved from a common ancestor before the Isthmus closed.     

A new species of scorpion of the genus Neoscorpiops Vachon, 1980 (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) from India

A new species of scorpion of the genus Neoscorpiops Vachon, 1980 is described from Northern Maharashtra. Neoscorpiops maharashtraensis sp. nov. is a medium-sized scorpion species ranging from 36 to 42 mm. Carapace, mesosoma and metasoma brown, legs and telson yellow; pedipalp in a shade of brown with carinae dark drown to black. Granulation on carapace coarse, with a few smooth patches; on mesosoma, which is restricted to the posterior half. Anterior margin of carapace with a moderately deep “U”-shaped emargination medially lacking elevated edges. Pectines well developed 7/7. Trichobothria on patella ventral 13–16. Pedipalp chela narrow and elongate in males, length-to-width ratio in males is 4.86–5.05.     

A new species of Ampelisca (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from NW Iberian Peninsula: Ampelisca troncosoi sp. nov.

A new species of Ampelisca (Crustacea, Amphipoda) is described from samples collected in shallow subtidal fine and very fine sand in the inlet of Baiona (Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula). Ampelisca troncosoi sp. nov. is closely related to A. brachyceras and A. heterodactyla by having a rostrum between antenna 1 pair and one lateral angle at each side of the head. The new species may be distinguished by the following combination of characters: a distally rounded rostrum between the antenna 1 pair, one laterodorsal pair of corneal lenses, antenna 1 longer than antenna 2 peduncle, antenna 2 never reaching half of the body length, epimeral plates with rounded posterodistal angle, a prominent rounded urosomal carina and two rows of minute spines on the outer rami of the uropod 3.     

Rare and new cumaceans (Crustacea,Peracarida) from?the southern margin of the Cap Ferret Canyon (Bay of Biscay)

A new cumacean genus and species, Ithyleucon sorbei gen. et sp. n., was described from material collected in the southern margin of the Cap Ferret Canyon (Bay of Biscay, NE Atlantic). Although the new genus resembles Pseudoleucon Zimmer, 1903, in terms of the general aspect of the carapace and the pseudo-rostrum position, it shows important differences in the uropod structure and in the size of the antenna 1 accessory flagellum. In addition, some comments regarding the morphology of certain rare species (Mesolamprops denticulatus Ledoyer, 1983, Hemilamprops normani Bonnier, 1896 and Schizocuma spino-culatum (Jones, 1984)) are also provided.     

A new species of Paramunida Baba, 1988 from the Central Pacific Ocean and a new genus to accommodate P. granulata (Henderson, 1885)

The genus Paramunida belongs to the most diverse family of galatheoids and it is commonly reported from the continental slope across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Examination of material collected by the NOAA RV Townsend Cromwell Cruise near Christmas (Kiritimati) Island, Kiribati, revealed the existence of a new species of Paramunida (P. haigae), which represents the fourth record of the genus for the Central Pacific. Furthermore, recent efforts to unravel phylogenetic relationships and diversification patterns in Paramunida revealed P. granulata (Henderson, 1885) to be the most basally diverging taxon within the genus. This species is clearly distinguished from other species of Paramunida by the spinulation of the carapace and the length of the distomesial spine of the second antennal peduncle article, which in combination with a high level of genetic divergence suggest that this species represents a separate monotypic lineage. A new genus, Hendersonida gen. n., is proposed to accommodate this species based on morphological and molecular evidence. An updated dichotomous identification key for all species of Paramunida is presented.     

Two new species of the genus Epigonus (Perciformes: Epigonidae) from the South Pacific, with a definition of the Epigonus constanciae group

Two new species of Epigonus are described from the South Pacific. Epigonus chilensis is described on the basis of five specimens (166.3–208.3?mm standard length) collected from off Chile. It closely resembles Epigonus?lenimen (Whitley 1935), but differs in the presence of a minute tubercle on symphysis of lower jaw, body depth, orbital diameter, and lower-jaw length. Epigonus machaera is described on the basis of eight specimens (157.2–174.3?mm standard length) collected from the Chatham Rise, east of New Zealand. It closely resembles Epigonus?robustus (Barnard 1927), but differs in the shapes of tongue and two nub-like structures on symphysis of lower jaw and second dorsal-fin spine length. Besides the two new species, 14 species of the genus are characterized by having a pungent opercular spine, more than 40 pored lateral-line scales to end of hypural, and dorsal-fin rays VII-I, 8–10. These species belong to the Epigonus constanciae group, defined in this study. A key to the species in the group is provided.     

A new species of shrimp of the genus Anachlorocurtis Hayashi, 1975 from the Red Sea,with range extension of A. commensalis Hayashi, 1975 (Crustacea,Decapoda, Pandalidae)

A new species of pandalid shrimp Anachlorocurtis occidentalis sp. n., associated with antipatharian corals, is described and illustrated from the north-eastern Red Sea. This new species is closely related to Anachlorocurtis commensalis Hayashi, 1975, the only other species in the genus, and can be distinguished by the more slender body and appendages; the carapace with 3 large, and one small, subtriangular lobes in the middorsal line; a flattened dorsal outline of the third abdominal segment; the sixth abdominal segment twice as long as fifth one; propodi of the ambulatory pereiopods bearing only a single posterior spinule; and harbouring 3–5 pairs of dorsolateral spines on the telson. A revised generic diagnosis is provided here to accommodate the present new species. The genetic divergence of mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) between Anachlorocurtis occidentalis sp. n., and A. commensalis is 15.2–15.4%. Molecular analysis also confirmed a sister position of the genus Anachlorocurtis to Miropandalus. The present records of A. commensalis from Taiwan constitute an extension of the known range of the species.     

A new Philocheras species (Decapoda,Crangonidae) from Hansa Bay,Papua New Guinea

A new species of crangonid shrimp, Philocheras wilkinsae (Decapoda, Crangonidae) is described from Hansa Bay, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. The new species belongs to the japonicus group, and can be distinguished from the other members of this group by carapace dentition and carination. The pleopod structure is unique in the genus.