Atyaephyra stankoi Karaman, 1972

Christodoulou, Magdalini, Antoniou, Aglaia, Antonios Magoulas, & Athanasios Koukouras,, 2012, Revision of the freshwater genus Atyaephyra (Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae) based on morphological and molecular data, ZooKeys 229, pp. 53-110 : 69-70

Atyaephyra stankoi Karaman, 1972 Figs 5-6

Atyaephyra Desmaresti var. occidentalis Bouvier, 1913: 65-74, Figs 2I, 3I, partim.

Atyaephyra desmarestii desmarestii . - Holthuis 1961: 5-10, Figs 2B, 3B, partim.

Atyaephyra desmarestii stankoi Karaman, 1972: 81-84, Figs 3, 6, 9, 10 [type locality: Doirani Lake, Greece].

Atyaephyra desmarestii . - Anastasiadou et al. 2004: 5-13, partim

Atyaephyra stankoi . - Garcia Muñoz et al. 2009: 32-42, partim

Atyaephyra sp. n. 3. - Christodoulou et al. 2010: partim

Material examined.

Type material. Neotype: NHM 2012.1475, adult ♀ (CL 6.0 mm), Greece–F.Y.R.O.M., Doirani Lake, (Fig. 1, stn 99), among aquatic plants, 9.11.1992, coll. S. Jovanovich and E. Stojkoska [here designated].

Non-type material.

Greece: 4 ♀♀ (CL 5.4-5.9 mm), Peloponnesus, Alfeios River (Fig. 1, stn 82), 24.9.2001, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; 4 ♀♀ (CL 5.4-5.7 mm), Aitoloacarnania, Ozeros Lake (Fig. 1, stn 83), 22.11.2001, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; 2 ovig. ♀♀ (CL 5.5-7.0 mm), Aitoloakarnania, Aitoliko, Acheloos River (Fig. 1, stn 84), 4.4.2002, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; 3 ♀♀ (CL 5.0-5.5 mm), Aitoloakarnania, Trichonida Lake (Fig. 1, stn 85), 22.10.2001, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; 4 ♀♀ (CL 5.1-6.5 mm) Aitoloacarnania, Lysimachia Lake (Fig. 1, stn 86), 22.11.2001, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; 1 ♀ (CL 6.9 mm) and 2 ♂♂ (CL 5.1-5.3 mm), Thessalia, Tavropou Lake (Fig. 1, stn 87), 14.11.2001, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; 17 ♀♀ (CL 6.0-8.0) and 2 ♂♂ (CL 5.0 mm), Thessalia, Enipeas River (Fig. 1, stn 88), 14.10.2001, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; 3 ♀♀ (CL 6.5-7.6 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.5 mm), ZMAUTH G1-910, Thessalia, Mati Tyrnavou Lake (Fig. 1, stn 89), 15.11.1977, coll. A. Koukouras; 1 ♀ (CL 6.8 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.2 mm) Thessalia, Pineios River (Fig. 1, stn 90), 15.11.2001, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; 1 ♀ (CL 7.0 mm), Thessalia, Lithaios River (Fig. 1, stn 91), 14.11.2001, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; 5 ♀♀ (CL 6.0-7.0 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.0 mm), Thessalia, Gritsas River (Fig. 1, stn 92), 15.11.2001, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; 3 ♀♀ (CL 6.0-6.7 mm), Macedonia, Aliakmonas River (Fig. 1, stn 93), 9.9.1974 and 26.11.1978; 4 ♀♀ (2 ovig.) (CL 5.7-6.8 mm), ZMAUTH G1-1005, Macedonia, Vegoritida Lake (Fig. 1, stn 94), 17.6.1968; 4 ♀♀ (1 ovig.) (CL 5.5-6.3 mm), ZMA UTH G1-1018, Thessalia, Agra Lake (Fig. 1, stn 95), 17.6.1968, coll. P. Economides; 12 ♀♀ (CL 5.5-7.0 mm) and 3 ♂♂ (CL 5.0-5.5 mm), Thessalia, Edessaios River (Fig. 1, stn 96), 19.10.2001, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; 5 ♀♀ (CL 5.0-5.5 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.0 mm), Thessalia, Kariotissa, Moglenitsa River (Fig. 1, stn 97), 18.10.2001, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; 4 ♀♀ (CL 6.0-7.0 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.0 mm), ZMAUTH G1-988, Macedonia, Axios River (Fig. 1, stn 98), 16.7.1971, coll. P. Economides; 11 ♀♀ (CL 5.9-7.3 mm) and 1 ♂ (CL 5.1 mm), Macedonia, Richios River (Fig. 1, stn 100), 26.10.01, coll. Ch. Anastasiadou; Greece–F.Y.R.O.M.: 4 ♀♀ (CL 5.0-5.7 mm), Doirani Lake, (Fig. 1, stn 99), 9.11.1992, coll. S. Jovanovich and E. Stojkoska.

Description.

Rostrum long, slender, dorsal margin straight or slightly curved in the middle and pointed upwards, 6.12-8.67, mostly (83% of the examined individuals) 6.25 to 7.54, × as long as high, shorter, equal to, or longer than scaphocerite (longer in 76% of the individuals examined). From 17 to 28 (19-27 in 91% of the individuals) pre orbital teeth on dorsal margin of rostrum arranged up to tip. 0-3, predominantly (96%) 1-3, post-orbital teeth. 2-8, most often (96%) 2-6, teeth arranged on ventral margin of rostrum (Fig. 5A). Carapace smooth with pterygostomial angle not protruding, rounded (Fig. 5B). Pleuron of fifth abdominal segment usually pointed ending in an obtuse (ending in an acute angle in 11% of the individuals) posterior angle (Figs 5 C–D). Telsonwith 3-6, most often (93%) 5-6, pairs of dorsal spines arranged in curved fashion (Fig. 5E). Distal border of telson with 6-11, mostly (87%) 8-10, spines (3-6 pairs), arranged in a fork-like pattern. Outermost pair of spines shortest, similar to dorsal spines, adjacent pair stronger terminating beyond (or along with) the inner finely setulose pairs (Figs 5 E–F). Basal segment of antennular peduncle with long stylocerite, with its tip failing to reach, reaching or overreaching the distal end of basal segment. Anterolateral lobe of basal segment short and rounded (Fig. 5H). Distal segment of antennular peduncle with 1-4, mostly (93%) 1-3, spines (Fig. 5G). Basal lower endite of maxilla densely covered with long simple setae arranged in 12-16, (13-15 in 89% of the individuals), oblique parallel rows. Endite of maxilla 1.78-2.08, mostly (89%) 1.84-1.99, × as long as basal lower endite (Fig. 6G). Basal endite of first maxilliped failing or reaching to distal end of exopod (Fig. 6F). Distal one-third of terminal segment of third maxilliped bearing 11-35, frequently (85%) 16-28, mesial spines and one subdistal lateral spine near the base of larger terminal spine (Fig. 6H). Armature along flexor margin of dactylus of third and fourth pereiopod consisting of 7-11 (7-9 in 98% of the individuals) and 7-10 (7-9 in 98% of the individuals) spines (including terminal spine) respectively (Figs 6B, 6D). Merus of third and fourth pereiopod with 3-8 (4-6 in 83% of the individuals examined) and 2-6 (3-5 in 88% of the individuals) spines respectively (Figs 6A, 6C). Dactylus of fifth pereiopod with 26-47, most often (80%) 32-41, spines arranged in comb-like fashion on flexor margin (Fig. 6E). Endopod of first male pleopod expanded proximally and with a distal portion either elongated (ribbon shape) or more stout but always tapering. Endopod with 13-17 spines arranged on a slightly curved inner margin and 7-12 setae arranged on the outer margin (Fig. 6I). 96-195 eggs of 0.6-0.7 × 0.4 mm in size.

Size.

Atyaephyra stankoi is a large sized species with maximum carapace length of 5.50 mm in ♂♂, 7.60 mm in ♀♀ and 6.8 mm in ovig. ♀♀.

Molecular characters.

Atyaephyra stankoi can be distinguished from all other species of Atyaephyra by molecular characters, as shown by the phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA COI sequences, such as the two unique Atyaephyra stankoi haplotypes. Furthermore, it differs from all the other species in the following nucleotide positions in the COI gene of Atyaephyra desmarestii specimen Dour1, position 192: cytosine (C), position 282: adenine (A), position 320: cytosine (C), position 342: cytosine (C) and position 423: cytosine (C).

Distribution.

Atyaephyra stankoi is found in freshwater habitats in the mainland of West-central Greece and South F.Y.R.O.M. (see material examined and Fig. 1).

Remarks.

Bouvier (1913) assigned the material of MNHN originating from Portugal, France, Corsica, Macedonia, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco to var. occidentalis while the material from Syria he assigned to var. orientalis. The material from Macedonia was collected from the region of Vardar (Axios) north of Thessaloniki, from the Lake of Amatovo (drained in the early twentieth century) near Kirdzalar (today called Adendron). The two varieties described by Bouvier were elevated in subspecies level by Holthuis (1961) and the var occidentalis was re-named to Atyaephyra desmaresii desmarestii since it contained the name-bearing type of the species. Few years later, Karaman (1972) described a new subspecies from Doirani Lake which is part of the Vardar (Axios) basin and named it Atyaephyra desmarestii stankoi ignoring the available name of Bouvier’s ( Atyaephyra desmarestii var. occidentalis ). However, after designating a neotype of Atyaephyra desmarestii from Bouvier’s material the nomen Atyaephyra desmarestii var. occidentalis becomes unavailable since it becomes a junior synonym of Atyaephyra desmarestii (see Atyaephyra desmarestii remarks) and thus the nomen Atyaephyra stankoi can be used for the Macedonian taxon (as used herein).

Efforts made to trace Karaman’s type material in the MMNH were unsuccessful. According to the director of the Museum, Dr Petkovski S. (pers. comm.), Karaman’s material is considered lost after a fire that took place in the Museum.

A neotype for Atyaephyra stankoi is proposed for reasons of taxonomic clarification and stability, as foreseen by Art. 75 (ICZN, 1999). The neotype will contribute to the stability of the taxonomic status of the species and avoid further confusion due to nomenclature (see also Atyaephyra desmarestii remarks). Furthermore, it incorporates novel characteristics that distinguish it from the remaining Atyaephyra species such as: having 11-35 mesial spines on terminal segment of third maxilliped, basal endite of first maxilliped failing or reaching to distal end of exopod, distal boarder of telson with spines arranged in a fork-like pattern, a rounded antennular lobe, a pterygostomial angle not protruding, and a slightly curved and distally more or less elongated but always tapering endopod of male first pleopod. The name-bearing types are considered lost while the neotype has been collected from Doirani Lake, the same locality from where Karaman (1972) collected Atyaephyra desmarestii stankoi type material and it will replace the lost type material.

Atyaephyra stankoi is similar to Atyaephyra thyamisensis sp. n. in having: 11-38 mesial spines on terminal segment of third maxilliped (Figs 6H, 8H), 12-16 rows of setae on basal lower endite of maxilla (Figs 6G, 8G), 3-6 pairs (mostly 4-5) of spines on distal boarder of telson with the second pair to be the strongest and terminating beyond (or along with) the other pairs arranged in a fork-like pattern (Figs 5 E–F, 7 E–F), a rounded antennular lobe (Figs 5H, 7H) and the basal endite of first maxilliped failing or reaching to distal end of exopod (Figs 6F, 8F). Atyaephyra stankoi differs from Atyaephyra thyamisensis sp. n. in not having a sharply protruding pterygostomial angle (Figs 5B, 7B). Atyaephyra stankoi can be distinguished from Atyaephyra orientalis by the presence of a rounded antennular lobe (Fig. 5H) (vs. pointed in Atyaephyra orientalis ; Figs 3 H–I). Further, Atyaephyra stankoi can be distinguished by the slightly curved and distally more or less elongated but always tapering endopod of male first pleopod (Fig. 6I) (vs. strongly curved and distally stout and not tapering in Atyaephyra orientalis ; Fig. 4I). Atyaephyra stankoi can be separated from Atyaephyra desmarestii , Atyaephyra strymonensis , Atyaephyra acheronensis and Atyaephyra tuerkayi by the presence of numerous mesial spines (11-35) on terminal segment of third maxilliped (Fig. 6H) (vs 0-8 mesial spines; Figs 10H, 12H, 14H).