Lysmata vittata ( Stimpson, 1860 )

Ahyong, Shane T., 2010, New species and new records of Caridea (Hippolytidae: Pasiphaeidae) from New Zealand *, Zootaxa 2372 (1), pp. 341-357 : 354

Lysmata vittata ( Stimpson, 1860)

( Fig. 4E )

Hippolysmata vittata Stimpson, 1860: 95 [type locality: Hong Kong].

Nauticaris unirecedens Bate, 1888: 608 , pl. 10, fig. 1 [type locality: Hong Kong].

Hippolysmata durbanensis Stebbing, 1921: 20 , pl. 5 [type locality: Durban , South Africa].

Lysmata vittata . — Bruce 1990b: 601–608, figs. 23–28. — Chace 1997: 78.

Material examined. Auckland: NIWA ( MITS) 5523, 2 specimens (tcl 5.7–6.0 mm), Viaduct Harbour, 3–4 m, from jetty pile, VIA252-DP, 27.III.2006 ; NIWA ( MITS) 6829, 1 specimen (tcl 5.1mm), Westhaven Marina, 5 m, from jetty pile, WHM252-DP, 28.III.2006 .

Manukau Harbour: NIWA ( MITS) 13209, 2 specimens, (tcl 7.6–8.3 mm), MNK533 -DP, 14. VI.2006 .

Kaipara Harbour: NIWA ( MITS) 16226, 2 specimens (tcl 9.2 mm; 1 with broken rostrum, cl 4.6mm), Te Whau Point slipway, KPR 435-DP, 28.IX.2006 .

Remarks. The present specimens of L. vittata from the northwest (Kaipara Harbour and Manukau) and northeast coasts (Auckland) are the first records of the species from New Zealand waters. They are consistent with Chace’s (1997) diagnosis of L. vittata and agree closely with Bruce’s (1990b) redescription of the species based on topotypic material. The rostral spination is 5–7 dorsal (with 1 or 2 postorbital) and 2 or 3 ventral, usually 6 or 7 dorsal (2 postorbital) and 3 ventral. The pereopod 2 carpus is composed of 19–21 articles. Most specimens have two postorbital spines in the dorsal rostral series, and 3 ventral rostral spines. In one small specimen (tcl 5.7 mm; Fig. 4E ), however, the spine anterior to the epigastric spine is slightly in advance of, instead of behind, the posterior orbital margin; and the ventral rostral margin bears 2 spines, with an incipient third proximally.

All specimens were collected during port surveys targeting invasive species. It is plausible that L. vittata has been introduced via international shipping, though it is more likely that the species has simply been overlooked or mistaken for L. morelandi ( Yaldwyn, 1971) , which also occurs in northern New Zealand. Lysmata vittata is common through the Indo-West Pacific, including eastern Australia; northern New Zealand is within its expected natural range.

Distribution. East Africa to the Philippines, Japan, Australia, and now from northern New Zealand; littoral to 54 m ( Chace 1997).

Figures

FIGURE 4. A–B, Leontocaris amplectipes Bruce, 1990, carapace, male (cl 8.5 mm) (NIWA 13678), female (cl 6.8 mm) (NIWA 13677). C, Leontocaris alexander Poore, 2009, carapace, ov. female (cl 6.8 mm) (NIWA 33119). D, Leontocaris yarramundi Taylor & Poore, 1998, carapace, male (cl 7.6 mm) (NIWA 29687). E, Lysmata vittata (Stimpson, 1860), carapace, sex indet., tcl 5.7 mm (NIWA (MITS) 5523). F, Merhippolyte chacei Kensley, Griffin & Tranter, 1987, carapace, ov. female (cl 8.9 mm) (NIWA 33172). G–H, Alainopasiphaea australis (Hanamura, 1989), anterior carapace, female (tcl 16.8 mm), female (16.9 mm), both NIWA 33095. Scale: A–D, F–H = 2.0 mm; E = 1.0 mm.