Catapagurus franklinae McLaughlin, 2004

(Figs 7-9)

Catapagurus franklinae McLaughlin, 2004: 3, figs 1, 2, type locality: off Tully, Queensland, Australia. — McLaughlin et al. 2010: 28.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Fiji Islands • ♂ 2.7 mm; BORDAU 1; stn CP1460; 18°47.06’S, 178°47.29’W; 750-767 m depth; 6.III.1999; MNHN-IU-2022-4541 • 1 ovig ♀ 2.4 mm; same stn data as for preceding; MNHN-IU-2022-4542 • 1 ovig ♀ 2.1 mm; stn DW1485; 19°03’S, 178°30’W; 700-707 m depth; 10.III.1999; MNHN-IU-2022-4543 . Solomon Islands • 2 ♂ 1.9 mm, 2.2 mm, 7 ♀ 1.9-3.1 mm, 4 ovig ♀ 1.9-2.4 mm; SALOMON 2, N.O. Alis; stn CP2228; 06°35’S, 156°11’E; 609-625 m depth; 28.X.2004; Bouchet, Warén & Samadi-IRD legs; MNHN-IU-2025-2548 • 1 ♀ 2.8 mm; N.O. Alis, SALOMON 2; stn CP2244; 07°45’S, 156°27’E; 554- 586 m depth; 1.XI.2004; Bouchet, Warén & Samadi-IRD legs; USNM 1445863 • 2 ♂ 2.6, 3.4 mm, 3 ovig ♀ 2.2-3.2 mm; same data as for preceding; USNM 1445864 • 1 ♂ 3.1 mm, 1 ♀ 2.2 mm, 1 ovig ♀ 2.1 mm; N.O. Alis, SALOMON 2; stn CP2245; 07°43’S, 156°26’E; 582-609 m depth; 1.XI.2004; Bouchet, Warén & Samadi-IRD legs; MNHN-IU-2025-2549 .

Vanuatu • 2 ♂ 2.7, 3.5 mm, 1 ♀ 3.1 mm SE Malekula, N.O. Alis, BOA 1; stn CP2465; 16°43’S, 167°59’E; 770-799 m depth; 13.IX.2005; Samadi-IRD legs; USNM 1441475 • 1 ovig ♀ 3.0 mm, SE Malekula; N.O. “ Alis ”, BOA1; stn CP2466; 16°44’S, 167°59’E; 786- 800 m depth; 13.IX.2005; Samadi-IRD legs; MNHN-IU-2025-2550 . New Hebrides Arc • 1♀ 2.1 mm; Hunter and Matthew Islands;VOLSMAR; stn DW09; 22°23’S, 171°42’E; 275-300 m depth; 1.VI.1989; USNM1441480 • 1 ovig ♀ 2.1 mm; Mount Vauban; N.O.” Alis ”, VOLSMAR; stn DW16; 22°25’S, 171°41’E; 420-500 m depth; 3.VI.1989; B. Richer de Forges-IRD legs; MNHN-IU-2025-2551 .

DISTRIBUTION. — Coral and Tasman Seas, and New Caledonia (McLaughlin 2004) to Solomon and Fiji Islands; depth 285- 969 m.

HABITAT. — Has been found living inside calcareous worm tubes, or small shells with or without anemone growing on them (McLaughlin 2004).

Color

Unknown.

REMARKS

Previously known from the Coral and Tasman Seas and New Caledonia (McLaughlin 2004), the range is herein extended to approximately 900 km eastward to the Fiji Islands, including the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

The morphological variations documented in this species by McLaughlin (2004) have all been observed in the material herein reported, which are mostly related to size or growth of the specimens. Most evident in the material examined during this study is the influence of size and growth of the specimens on the dorsal armature of the meri of the second and third pereopods, which can diminish in sharpness and strength with increasing size. In contrast, the sexual tubes of specimen tend to be longer in smaller specimens where the tube can extend entirely over the dorsal surface of the pleon, whereas in larger males the tube usually partially curves over the pleon. The shape and armature of the telson can also vary significantly, with the posterior lobes separated by a narrow V-shaped cleft, or in some specimens by a broad U-shaped cleft.