Parartemiopsis mongolica

Rogers, D. Christopher, 2005, A new genus and species of chirocephalid fairy shrimp (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Anostraca) from Mongolia, Zootaxa 997, pp. 1-10 : 3-5

Parartemiopsis mongolica species novum

Figure 1

Material examined. MONGOLIA: Pool near the Tuul River, 2 ♂, 6 December 1996, S. Enkhtsetseg, Det. D. C. Rogers.

Types. Holotype and paratype (both males) deposited in the Lake Biwa Museum, Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, as part of LBM Accession Misc. Invert., FY2001­9, individual registration numbers not assigned, but holotype slightly the longer of the two specimens with its body arcuate and one cercopod with apical half missing due to injury. The holotype is the basis of all my drawings. The holotype is 8.2 mm in length from the anterior margin of the head to the tip of the undamaged cercopod, however both animals were probably larger in life due to shrinkage during preservation ( Rogers 2002c).

Description. Male. Head rounded, dorsal anteriolateral margins not projecting beyond the bases of the compound eye peduncles. First antennae slightly longer than length of the second antennal proximal antennomere.

Second antennal proximal antennomere sub­cylindrical, 1.5 times as long as broad, bearing a large lateral, convex bulge with sparse transverse rows of aciculate spines, each spine tapering to a setaform tip. Lateral surface also with a small bulge distal to the large bulge, bearing similar rows of spines. Medial and anterior surfaces glabrous, and an anteromedial lobiform antennal appendage present. Antennal appendage directed anteroventrally, bearing dense transverse rows of spines.

Second antennal distal antennomere 2.5 to 3.0 times as long as proximal antennomere, and approximately 10 times as long as its own basal width. Distal antennomere anteroposteriorly flattened, directed ventrally from head, fairly straight, curving slightly proximally. Medial margin bearing a medially directed spiniform projection and situated at approximately the middle of the length of the antennomere. Apex truncate.

Anterior thoracic segments smooth. Genitalia as for the genus (see description above). Abdominal segments each with ventral and dorsal posterior margins inflated and sinuate, and with lateral portions of posterior margins produced laterally.

Cercopods typical for the Chirocephalidae ( Brtek 1966) (Holotype with one damaged cercopod, see comment under ‘Types’).

Female. Unknown or unrecognized at this time.

Cyst. Unknown

Etymology. The name ‘ mongolica ’ is derived from the Latin form of Mongolia, the only country from which this species has so far been found.

Type Locality. Pool near the Tuul River. Exact locality data unknown.

Distribution. Mongolia. At this time this species is only known from the type locality.

Habitat. Unknown. Probably a temporary pool, as is typical for the family. The Tuul River is more than 500 km long and ranges from 2000+ m elevation to 1197 m elevation at its confluence with the Orkhon River. Therefore the pool may be in any number of different ecological conditions.

IUCN Red List status. As it currently stands, this species meets the Red List definition ( IUCN 2001) of a Critically Endangered Species (CR B2ab). That is to say, this species known extent of occurrence is estimated to be less than ten square kilometers and it is known to exist only at a single location. Additional surveys need to be conducted to determine and establish the distribution and status of this species. It is probable that this species has a much broader distribution.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Parartemiopsis mongolica genus et species novae, holotype male: A) left side of head, anterior view; B) genitalia, ventral view; C) genitalia, lateral view. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B and C = 2.5 mm.