Dichelaspis, Darwin, 1852

Young, Paulo S., 2001, Deep-sea Cirripedia Thoracica (Crustacea) from the northeastern Atlantic collected by French expeditions, Zoosystema 23 (4), pp. 705-756 : 724

Dichelaspis sp.

( Fig. 13D )

MATERIALEXAMINED. — SEAMOUNT 2, stn CP 268, 34°22.03’N, 30°23.14’W, 2205 m to 34°20.54’N, 30°25.00’W, 2145 m, 1 specimen, tl (cl) 20.0 (14.1) mm (MNHN Ci 2844).

REMARKS

The single full grown specimen, which at first view, I thought may be D. thieli . But some characters in the shape of the capitulum and reduction of its plates show it is probably a distinct species.

The capitulum is short, with its height less than two times its width and with a strongly curved carinal margin. The carina is strongly curved without a basal flattened projection. The scutum has an L-shape with a very thin and long basal arm and an occludent arm which enlarges apically. The peduncle is short and robust.

It is difficult to trace a reduction of the plates of D. thieli to attain the scutum and carina form observed in this specimen. Otherwise the proportion of the capitulum and peduncle is very different from the D. thieli .

All of the other species of Dichelaspis are very distinct from this specimen. Because there is only one specimen I prefer to maintain the identification as Dichelaspis sp., until more samples become available.

Figures

FIG. 13. — Left lateral views; A-C, Dichelaspis thieli Young, 1998, SEAMOUNT 2, stn DW 267; D, Dichelaspis sp., SEAMOUNT 2, stn CP 268. Scale bars: A-C, 2 mm; D, 5 mm.