Sandro straussi, Daneliya, Mikhail E., 2011

Daneliya, Mikhail E., 2011, A new species of Sandro Karaman & Barnard (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Austroniphargus family group) from South-East Madagascar, Zootaxa 2929, pp. 37-50 : 40-49

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.201668

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6187839

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/BA65FF01-FFE3-081E-FF77-FF0BFB5DF801

treatment provided by

Plazi

scientific name

Sandro straussi
status

sp. nov.

Sandro straussi sp. n.

( Figs 2−8 View FIGURE 2 View FIGURE 3 View FIGURE 4 View FIGURE 5 View FIGURE 6 View FIGURE 7 View FIGURE 8 )

Type specimens. Holotype, Ƥ, 8 mm, Madagascar, Fianarantsoa Province, Ranomafana National Park, Sahaforihana I, 21°14'18.90"S, 47°24'19.20"E, Wi08-0408, 1166 m, fast stream, 0.1 m, sand, 0 1.02.2008, coll. Strauβ ( MZH 97040; slide 97099). Allotype, 3, 8 mm, Sahaforihana II, 21°14'7.98"S, 47°24'25.74"E, Wi08-0400, 1123 m, slow stream, 0.13 m, leaves, 0 1.02.2008 ( MZH 97041). Paratypes: 4 3, 5.5−8 mm, 9 Ƥ, 7.5−10.5 mm, same data as for holotype ( MZH 97042); Ƥ (dried, glued on paper and pinned), 9 mm, same data ( MZH 97043); 2 3, 6 mm, 3 Ƥ, 6−8.5 mm, same locality as for holotype, Wi08-0176, slow stream, sand, 14.02.2008 ( MZH 97044); 3 3, 5− 6.5 mm, 9 Ƥ, 5.5−9.5 mm, same locality, Wi08-0195, fast stream, sand, 14.02.2008 ( ZMB 17209); 6 3, 4.5−7 mm, 16 Ƥ, 6−9.5 mm, same locality, Wi08-0190, fast stream, leaves, 14.02.2008 (MNV 459); 8 3, 5− 9 mm, 17 Ƥ, 4−9.5 mm, same data as for allotype ( MZH 97045); 2 3, 7− 7.5 mm, 3 Ƥ, 8 mm, same locality as for allotype, Wi08-0412, sand, 0 1.02.2008 ( MZH 97046); 3, 6.5 mm, 6 Ƥ, 5.5−9 mm, Sahamalaotra, Farihin-d’Rakotomainty, 21°14'12.96"S, 47°23'48.60"E, Wi08-0362, 1124 m, fast stream, 0.06 m, gravels, 0 1.02.2008 ( MZH 97047); 2 3, 5.5−7 mm, 2 Ƥ, 5−7 mm, same locality, Wi08-0369, slow stream, gravels, 0 1.02.2008 ( MZH 97048); Ƥ, 7 mm, same locality, Wi08-0374, slow stream, leaves, 0 1.02.2008 ( MZH 97049); 3, 8.5 mm, Ƥ, 7.5 mm, same locality, Wi08-0384, fast stream, sand, 0 1.02.2008 ( MZH 97050); 3 3, 6− 8 mm, 7 Ƥ, 6−9 mm, same locality, Wi08-0393, slow stream, sand, 0 1.02.2008 ( MZH 97051); 3, same locality, Wi07-0506, fast stream, sand, 0 6.03.2007 ( MZH 97052); 2 Ƥ (dry), 7 mm, same locality, Wi07-0511, fast stream, leaves, 0 6.03.2007 ( MZH 97053); 3, 6 mm, 5 Ƥ, 7−9 mm, same locality, Wi07-0517, slow stream, leaves, 0 6.03.2007 ( MZH 97054); 3 3, 5.5−7 mm, 3 Ƥ, 6−7.5 mm, Sahamalaotra II, 21°14'21.96''S, 47°23'42.54''E, Wi07-0429, 1138 m, fast stream, 0.06 m, sand, 27.02.2007 ( MZH 97055); 2 3, 7 mm, 6 Ƥ, 7.5−9 mm, same locality, Wi07-0434, fast stream, leaves, 0 7.02.2007 ( MZH 97056); Ƥ, 7.5 mm, same locality, Wi07-0424, fast stream, gravel, 27.02.2007 ( MZH 97057); 4 3, 6.5−8 mm, 16 Ƥ, 6−8.5 mm, same locality, Wi07-0431, slow stream, leaves, 27.02.2007 ( MZH 97058); 2 3, 5.5−6.5 mm, 2 Ƥ, 7 mm, Sahamalaotra Bridge, 21°14'6.18"S, 47°23'46.02"E, Wi07-0278, 1144 m, slow stream, 0.13 m, leaves, 22.02.2007 ( MZH 97059); Ƥ, 8.5 mm, Atatatra I, 21°13'23.94''S, 47°24'20.76''E, Wi08-0144, 1121 m, slow stream, 0.07 m, leaves, 0 9.02.2008 ( MZH 97060); 4 3, 5.5−6 mm, 12 Ƥ, 6−9 mm, same locality, Wi08-0114, fast stream, leaves, 0 9.02.2008 ( MZH 97061); 3, 8 mm, 9 Ƥ, 7.5−9 mm, Atatatra II, 21°13'42.6''S, 47°24'20.82''E, Wi08-0288, 1121 m, fast stream, 0.11 m, sand, 13.02.2008 ( MZH 97062); 3, 7.5 mm, 2 Ƥ, 7−8.5 mm, same locality, Wi08- 0 283, slow stream, leaves, 13.02.2008 ( MZH 97063); 2 Ƥ, 8 mm, same locality, Wi08-0279, slow stream, rock, 13.02.2008 ( MZH 97064); 3, 9 mm, Sahateza, pond, 21°15'28.56''S, 47°21'34.98''E, Wi08-0331, 1147 m, slow stream, 0.18 m, leaves, 0 5.02.2008, ( MZH 97065); 3, 6.5 mm, 3 Ƥ, 6.5−9 mm, same locality, Wi08-0336, fast stream, sand, 0 5.02.2008 ( MZH 97066); 3, 7 mm, 2 Ƥ, 7.5−8 mm, same locality, Wi08-0344, slow stream, sand, 0 5.02.2008 ( MZH 97067); 3, 6.5 mm, Bevoahazo, 21°11'53.88''S, 47°29'43.26''E, Wi08-0312, 722 m, slow stream, 0.07 m, leaves, 12.02.2008 ( MZH 97068); 3 Ƥ, 6.5−9 mm, Kidonavo, 21°13'32.4''S, 47°22'12.6''E, Wi08- 0 0 57, 1147 m, fast stream, 0.49 m, leaves, 11.02.2008 ( MZH 97069); 3, 4.5 mm, Ƥ, 7 mm, Fompohonina I, 21°16'6.36''S, 47°25'28.98''E, Wi07-0990, 972 m, fast stream, 0.17 m, 2007 ( MZH 97070); Ƥ, 5.5 mm, Fompohonina II, 21°16'4.50"S, 47°25'25.26"E, Wi07-0980, 950 m, fast stream, 0.06 m, gravels, 2007 ( MZH 97071); Ƥ, 9 mm, same locality, Wi07-0984, slow stream, sand, 2007 ( MZH 97072); 3, 7 mm, 4 Ƥ, 6−8.5 mm, same locality, Wi07-0963, fast stream, leaves, 2007 ( MZH 97073); 13 Ƥ, 7.5−9 mm, same locality, Wi07-0970, slow stream, leaves, 2007 ( MZH 97074); 3, 7 mm, 4 Ƥ, 7−8.5 mm, Fompohonina IV, 21°16'6.6''S, 47°25'32.76''E, Wi07-0858, 982 m, fast stream, 0.04 m, sand, 2007 ( MZH 97075); 3 3, 6− 6.5 mm, 13 Ƥ, 7−8 mm, same locality, Wi07-0837, slow stream, leaves, 2007 ( MZH 97076); 3, 7 mm, same locality, Wi07-0845, slow stream, sand, 2007 ( MZH 97077); 5 3, 5.5−6 mm, 43 Ƥ, 5−8.5 mm, 2 juveniles, 3.7 mm, same locality, Wi07-0851, fast stream, leaves, 2007 ( MZH 97078); 3, 6.5 mm, Ranomafana, up the waterfall, 21°15'18.9''S, 47°24'46.02''E, Wi08-0067, 1055 m, fast stream, 0.1 m, sand, 11.02.2008 ( MZH 97079); 3, 6.5 mm, Vatolampy I, 21°14'52.44''S, 47°24'16.02''E, Wi08- 0 153, 1084 m, fast stream, 0.06 m, sand, 30.01.2008 ( MZH 97080); 3, 5.5 mm, 1 juvenile, Vatolampy II (Ambany), 21°14'49.98''S, 47°24'13.74''E, Wi07-0999, 1080 m, fast stream, 0.08 m, leaves, 0 7.03.2007 ( MZH 97081); 3, 6 mm, same locality, Wi07-1020, slow stream, leaves, 0 7.03.2007 ( MZH 97082); 3, 7 mm, same locality, Wi08-0220, slow stream, sand, 31.01.2008 ( MZH 97083); 4 3, 5.5−7.5 mm, 12 Ƥ, 6−8.5 mm, Ranomena, 21°12'44.16''S, 47°26'0.6''E, Wi07-0939, 1144 m, slow stream, 0.23 m, leaves, 2007 ( MZH 97084); 2 Ƥ, 8.5 mm, same locality, Wi07-0928, fast stream, leaves, 2007 ( MZH 97085); Ƥ, 9.5 mm, same locality, Wi07-0917, slow, sand, 2007 ( MZH 97086); 2 3, 4.5−5 mm, 8 Ƥ, 5.5−7.5 mm, juvenile, 3.7 mm, P 100, 21°15'50.4''S, 47°25'58.8''E, Wi07-0660, 972 m, slow stream, 0.08 m, leaves, 2007 ( MZH 97087); 3, 4.5 mm, 2 Ƥ, 4.5−6 mm, same locality, Wi07-0657, fast stream, sand, 2007 ( MZH 97088); 3, 5 mm, 2 Ƥ, 6.5 mm, same locality, Wi07-0652, fast stream, leaves, 2007 ( MZH 97089); 2 Ƥ, 7−7.5 mm, Talatakely, 21°15'50.76''S, 47°25'9.66''E, Wi07-0335, 966 m, fast stream, 0.09 m, gravels, 24.02.2007 ( MZH 97090); Ƥ, 7 mm, same locality, Wi07-0349, slow stream, sand, 24.02.2007 ( MZH 97091); 3, 6 mm, 2 Ƥ, 7.5−8 mm, same locality, Wi07-0340, fast stream, sand, 24.02.2007 ( MZH 97092); 2 3, 5− 6 mm, 13 Ƥ, 5.5−7.5 mm, same locality, Wi07-0354, fast stream, leaves, 24.02.2007 ( MZH 97093); Ƥ, 7 mm, same locality, Wi07-0361, slow stream, leaves, 24.02.2007 ( MZH 97094); 3, 6 mm, ValBio, 21°15'11.46''S, 47°25'16.26''E, Wi07-0422, 929 m, fast stream, 0.03 m, leaves, 0 4.03.2007 ( MZH 97095); 2 Ƥ, 7.5 mm, Bibiango (Old Bridge), 21°15'26.52"S, 47°25'5.94"E, Wi07-0394, 961 m, fast stream, 0.05 m, leaves, 25.02.2007 ( MZH 97096); Ƥ, 6 mm, same locality, Wi07-0388, slow stream, leaves, 25.02.2007 ( MZH 97197).

Additional material. Destroyed, Belle Vue, 21°15'34.92"S, 47°25'19.20"E, Wi07-0453, 963 m, fast stream, 0.14 m, leaves, 2007 ( MZH 97098).

Diagnosis. Dorsal surface of telson with setae (without spine-setae) ( Fig. 3 View FIGURE 3 C). Each lobe of telson distally with rather short spine-setae, 0.1 times as long as telson length ( Fig. 3 View FIGURE 3 C). Propodus of gnathopods posterodistally without lobe, but with 4−5 bunches of rather long setae ( Fig. 5 View FIGURE 5 C, D). Peduncle of male uropod 1 with distal anterolateral lobe ( Fig. 8 View FIGURE 8 B). Peduncle of female uropod 3 with barely developed posterior lobe, though bearing 3−4 spinesetae ( Fig. 8 View FIGURE 8 E); in male peduncle with long anterodistal bifurcated lobe ( Fig. 8 View FIGURE 8 D); article 2 of outer ramus 0.1−0.15 times as long as article 1.

Comparison. Differs from S. starmuehlneri by absence of dorsal spine-setae on telson and shorter distal spinesetae (0.3 times as long as telson in S. starmuehlneri ), presence of setae and absence of distal lobe on posterior margin of gnathopod propodus, presence of distal bifurcation on posterior lobe of male uropod 3 peduncle, longer article 2 of uropod 3 outer ramus (0.25 times as long as article 1 in S. starmuehlneri ). In addition, S. straussi sp. n. is characterised by a higher number of setae and spine-setae bunches on appendages. However this could be simply connected with its larger size (up to 10.5 mm vs 3 mm in S. starmuehlneri ).

Description of holotype female. Anterior margin of head smoothly rounded. Lateral cephalic lobes projecting beyond anterior margin; upper angle smoothly rounded, lower angle straight. Eyes absent. Pleonites with short dorsolateral seta on posterior margin. Epimeral plates with 1−3 short setae along posterior margin and 2−4 stronger setae along ventral margin; distal posterior angle almost straight, barely produced. Urosomites fused. Urosome with 2 dorsolateral setae and distal dorsolateral bunch of 2 spine-setae on each side. Distolateral lobes of urosome rounded, advanced to the half of telson lengths. Urosomite 1 with 1 ventrofacial distal spine-seta. Telson advanced beyond peduncle of uropod 3, bilobate, cleft 0.7 of telson length; dorsal surface with setae; each lobe distally with short spine-setae, 0.1 times as long as telson. Coxal plates 1−4 large, longer than wide and longer than corresponding segment height, ventrally rounded, with numerous marginal and submarginal setae. Coxal plates 1−3 subrectangular about twice as long as wide. Coxal plate 1 with 9 ventral, 1 posteroventral in notch of crenulation and 3 posterior setae; plate 2 about twice as long as wide, with 7−8 ventral setae and 1 posteroventral seta in notch of crenulation; plate 3 with 6−7 ventral setae and 1 posteroventral seta in notch of crenulation; plate 4 the longest, deeply carved posteriorly, with 4−7 anteroventral and 6 posterodistal setae in notches of crenulations. Coxal plates 5−7 shorter than wide, with 3 posterodistal setae; plate 5 ventrally bilobate, 0.8 times as long as wide, posterior lobe slightly longer than anterior; plate 6 ventrally bilobate, nearly as long as wide, posterior lobe 1.4 times as long as anterior lobe; plate 7 subrectangular, anteriorly wider than posteriorly, 0.8 times as long as wide.

Antennae elongate, rather thin, with short setae. Peduncle of antenna 1 slightly wider than peduncle of antenna 2. Antenna 1 0.6 times as long as body; length ratio of peduncle articles 1.5/1.4/1, width ratio 2.7/1.3/1; article 1 with distal setae only; articles 2 and 3 with 3 anterior and posterior groups of setae; accessory flagellum 1- articulate, shorter than flagellum article 1; flagellum 21−22-articulate (14−23-articulate in paratypes), with thin club-shaped calceoli. Antenna 2 0.6 times as long as antenna 1; peduncle article 1 swollen; conus about as long as article 3; articles 4 and 5 with 4 lateral groups of setae; article 4 1.1 times as long as article 5; peduncle article 3, 4 and 5 width ratio 2.5/2/1; flagellum 10−11-articulate (9−13-articulate in paratypes).

Labrum simple, distally with short setae. Mandible: incisors with 4 cusps; left lacinia mobilis with 5 cusps; right lacinia mobilis smaller than left; inner margin with a row of 6 plumose setae; molar with transverse ribs and long gnathobasic seta; right molar also with anterior setae. Palp slender, articles 1 and 2 without setae; article 3 as long as article 2, with about 12 long posterior setae, occupying a little more than distal half of article; articles 2 and 3 2.5 times as long as article 1. Labium simple, with large outer and small fleshy inner lobes; outer lobes with slight lateral denticles and numerous short medial setae. Maxilla 1: inner plate elongate-triangular, distally sharpened, with thin proximal setae; outer plate with 7 distal serrate spine-setae, bearing 2−3 medial denticles; left palp with 8 distal stout setae; right palp with 7 short teeth-like distal spine-setae and distolateral longer and thinner spine-seta. Maxilla 2 plates thin with distal setae and finely serrate robust setae.

Maxilliped. Basis with anterodistal bunch of setae; inner plates with 5 teeth-like spine-setae and 1−2 distolateral robust setae. Ischium with anterodistal bunch of 1−2 setae; outer plates about as long as but slightly wider than inner plates, slightly overreaching half of article 2 of palp, with anteromedial setae and about 12 teeth-like distomedial spine-setae and 1−3 distolateral robust setae. Palp article 1 with anterodistal bunch of 1−2 setae. Palp article 2 the longest article, with numerous setae all along medial margin and 3 lateral bunches of long setae. Palp article 3 with posterodistal lobe, bearing numerous microsetae; medial margin with numerous distal setae and lateral margin with 3−4 bunches of long setae. Palp article 4 half as long as article 3; lateral margin with 1 seta; medial margin with several distal setae; claw strong, half as long as article 4.

Gnathopods subsimilar; gnathopod 2 slightly larger than gnathopod 1. Gnathopod 1. Basis with 4 long posterior setae and 3 distal bunches of 1−2 short setae. Ischium with 1 distal bunch of setae. Merus only slightly longer than ischium, with posterodistal lobe, bearing numerous miscrosetae, lateral bunch and medial bunch of setae. Carpus triangular, with posterodistal lobe, bearing numerous microsetae, 2 lateral, 2 medial and 2 anterior bunches of setae. Propodus trapezoidal, barely expanding apically, without posterodistal lobe, with 6 posterior bunches of setae, 7 separate posteromedial setae and 4 anterior bunches of setae; palm oblique, not producing beyond 4 defining spine-setae, with rare setae. Gnathopod 2. Basis posterior margin with 4 long setae and distal bunch of shorter setae; anterior margin with 4 separate short setae. Ischium with 1 distal bunch of setae. Merus about as long as ischium, with posterodistal lobe, bearing numerous microsetae and numerous posterodistal setae. Carpus triangular, with posterodistal lobe, bearing numerous microsetae, 2 lateral bunches of setae and 3 anterior bunches of setae. Propodus trapezoidal, expanding apically, with slight posterodistal lobe, covered by microsetae, 8 posterolateral bunches of setae, 8 medial separate setae, 4 anterior bunches of setae; palm transverse not producing beyond 4 defining spine-setae, with rare setae.

Pereopods 3 and 4 subsimilar, rather thin. Pereopod 3. Basis anterior margin with 7 short separate setae and distal bunch of setae; posterior margin with 4 long proximal setae and distal bunch of shorter setae. Ischium with 1 bunch of setae. Merus 0.7 times as long as basis; anterior margin with 1 median seta and distal bunch of 2 setae; posterior margin with 7 bunches of setae. Carpus 0.7 times as long as merus, without anterior setae and with 7 posterior bunches of setae. Propodus about as long as carpus; anterior margin with 2 median bunches of setae and distal bunch of setae; posterior margin with 7 bunches of 1−2 spine-setae. Dactylus 0.3 times as long as propodus with anteroproximal plumose seta and posterodistal robust seta; dactylar unguis half as long as dactylus. Pereopod 4. Basis anterior margin with 3 short separate median setae and distal bunch of setae; posterior margin with 5 proximal long setae and distal bunch of shorter setae. Ischium with 1 distal bunch of setae. Merus 0.6 times as long as basis; anterior margin with 2 median bunches of 1−2 setae and distal bunch of setae; posterior margin with 7 bunches of setae. Carpus 0.8 times as long as merus; anterior margin with 1 median seta; posterior margin with 7 bunches of setae. Propodus slightly shorter than carpus; anterior margin with 2 separate median setae and distal bunch of setae; posterior margin with 8 bunches of 1−2 spine-setae. Dactylus 0.3 times as long as propodus, with anteroproximal plumose seta and posterodistal robust seta; dactylus unguis half as long as dactylus.

Pereopods 5−7 subsimilar; merus, carpus and propodus thin; length ratio between merus, carpus and propodus 1/1.3−1.6/1.2−1.3. Basis oval, lobate and posteriorly convex, 1.1−1.2 times as long as wide; posterodistal sinus barely visible; anterior margin with 7−12 bunches of 1−3 spine-setae, last distal bunch with longer spine-setae and setae; posterior margin with 13−18 short setae in notches of crenulations. Ischium with 1 distal bunch of setae. Merus about 2.5 times as long as wide; anterior margin with 3−6 bunches of robust setae and spine-setae; posterior margin with 2 median and 1 distal bunches of 1−2 spine-setae. Carpus 6−7 times as long as wide; anterior margin with 4−6 bunches of spine-setae; posterior margin with 4−5 bunches of robust setae and spine-setae. Propodus 7 times as long as wide; anterior margin with 7−8 bunches of spine-setae; posterior margin with 5−6 bunches of long setae. Dactulus 0.2−0.25 times as long as propodus, with anterodistal and posteroproximal robust seta. Dactylar unguis 0.35−0.4 times as long as dactylus.

Coxal gills 5 pairs on thoracic somites 3−7. Oostegites 4 pairs on thoracic somites 3−6.

Pleopods long, biramous; peduncle cylindrical, about twice as long as wide, with 3 lateral plumose setae and 2 distally serrate hooked medial retinaculae; each ramus 13−15-articulate; inner ramus article 1 with 3 medial plumose, bifurcated setae; other segments with long plumose, distally subarticulated setae. Urosome dorsally straight. Urosomite 1 with small ventrolateral distal spine-seta. Uropod 1 reaching uropod 3 rami; peduncle about as long as rami, with 8 posterolateral spine-setae and 1 distal posteromedial spine-seta; rami subequal in length; outer ramus with 5 posterolateral and 4 distal spine-setae; inner ramus with 4 posteromedial and 4 distal spine-setae. Uropod 2 reaching distal margin of uropod 1; peduncle about as long as rami, with 4 posterolateral spine-setae and 1 posteromedial spine-seta; rami subequal in length; outer ramus with 4 posterolateral and 3 distal spine-setae; inner ramus with 4 posteromedial and 3 distal spine-setae. Uropod 3 parviramous: peduncle short; anterior margin with 2 short median setae and distal bunch of spine-setae; anterodistal lobe absent; posterior margin with 3 short setae and distal group of 4 long spine-setae; inner ramus 0.2 times as long as outer ramus; outer ramus article 1 with 6 posteromedial bunches of spine-setae and 6 anterolateral bunches of setae; article 2 0.1 times as long as article 2, with distal setae.

Description of allotype male. Similar to female, except for structure of uropods. Uropod 1 peduncle with 5 posterolateral spine-setae and distal anterolateral lobe; outer ramus with 6 posterior spine-setae; inner ramus with 3 posterior spine-setae. Peduncle of uropod 3 with long, distally bifurcated anterodistal lobe.

Body length of males 4.5−9 mm, females 5−10.5 mm.

Colour. Fixed specimens still had visible dark transverse spots on the lateral sides of body segments ( Fig. 2 View FIGURE 2 ). General pattern light brown.

Distribution. Known only from several small streams in the upper basin of the Namorona River, South-East Madagascar. Elevation 722−1166 m above sea level. All the findings are enclosed within the boundaries of the Ranomafana National Park.

Habitat. Fast and slow forest streams of 0.01−0.5 m depth with rock, sand or leaves at the bottom.

Etymology. Named in honor of the collector, Dr. Axel Strauβ, who also recorded habitat data from the sampling localities.

Remarks. The sexual dimorphism of uropod 1 and 3 peduncles, found in Sandro straussi sp. n., is so far a unique feature among austroniphargids and probably among other amphipods. In another sexually dimorphic species, Austroniphargus bryophilus Monod, 1925 , rami of male uropod 2 are without spine-setae. Instead, inner ramus is with an unusual 2-articulate sculptured spine-seta ( Monod 1925: 46, fig. 3G, J). We do not know whether sexual dimorphism is also characteristic for S. starmuehlneri , because the species was described from a single holotype male, which, however, also possesses anterodistal lobe on uropod 3.

Another unusual feature of austroniphargids as epigean crustaceans is their complete absence of eyes. Barnard and Barnard (1983) suggested that genera Austroniphargus and Sandro are probably hypogean emergents. However, massive collection of S. straussi sp. n. from shallow forest streams rather supports that the species has probably well-established in epigean waters. We hypothesise that eyeless epigean austroniphargids have probably originated from blind hypogean ancestors, but have not regenerated visual organs (idea suggested in personal communication by Cédric d’Udekem d’Acoz). Similar hypothesis, but for coastal eyeless species that could have originated from deep-water ancestors, had been proposed for Scandinavian species of the genus Liljeborgia Bate ( Amphipoda : Liljeborgiidae ) (d’Udekem d’Acoz 2008, 2010; d’Udekem d’Acoz & Vader 2009).

MZH

Finnish Museum of Natural History

ZMB

Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (Zoological Collections)

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Malacostraca

Order

Amphipoda

Family

Atylidae

Genus

Sandro

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