Balanodytes flexuosus ( Chan, Kolbasov & Cheang, 2012 )

Botha, Thomas P. A. & Griffiths, Charles L., 2021, South African Acrothoracica (Crustacea: Cirripedia), Zootaxa 4949 (1), pp. 45-78 : 63-64

Balanodytes flexuosus ( Chan, Kolbasov & Cheang, 2012)

Figs 13 , 14

Material examined. CLP14-4, Port Shepstone , Eastern Cape, August 2017, 1 specimen in Charonia lampas shell (specimen used for dissection) .

Diagnosis. Balanodytes with opercular bars with bifid teeth, posterior processes L-shaped, strongly bent/recurved at tip.

Description. Female, mantle sac oval-shaped, narrowing below to opercular bars (figs 13, 14A). Length 1.65 mm, width 1.05 mm, opercular bars 500 µm in length, with row of bifid teeth and setae (fig. 14B). Posterior processes hook-like (anteriorly bent/recurved), L-shaped, with bifid teeth and setae along length ( Figs 13 , 14B ). Comb collar with long, feather-like projections, fused at bases. Orificial knob distinct, with setae and simple or bifid teeth (fig. 14B). Lateral area below opercular bar covered with sparse, simple setae and rows of large, multifid scales. Feeble lateral bars. Burrow opening narrow, oval-shaped.

Four pairs of terminal cirri and pair of two-segmented caudal appendages (fig. 14C, D). Mouth cirri with both rami three-segmented, with anterior ramus shorter than posterior ramus, both rami with plumose setae (fig. 14H). Labrum saddle-like, with small, blunt teeth on anterior margin (fig. 14E). Mandible with three large teeth, two smaller teeth close to lower margin, large notch between first and second teeth. Inferior angle with two sharp denticles and setae (fig. 14F). Maxillule with two long, sharp upper and single, smaller lower cuspidate setae. Notch with short, sharp seta, lower 2/3 of cutting edge with numerous short, sharp setae (fig. 14G). Maxilla triangular with setae on both exterior and interior margins. Mandibular palp trapezoidal, with simple setae along exterior margin.

Hosts. Previously found in the coral Pavona sp. from Mozambique Channel ( Chan, Kolbasov & Cheang, 2012). Collected in South Africa from Charonia lampas shell.

Distribution. Originally described from Mozambique Channel (2611’00”S, 3501’00”E). Collected in South Africa only in Port Shepstone (3044’38.8”S, 3027’28.7”E). This is the first record of this species from South Africa.

Remarks. Only one individual collected, found in association with Balanodytes sp. A

Figures

FIGURE 13. Balanodytes flexuosus, from Charonia lampas, collected in Port Shepstone, female. Lateral view of a whole specimen, left side.

FIGURE 14. Balanodytes flexuosus, collected from Charonia lampas in Port Shepstone. Light microscopy of external and internal structures, female.A—Lateral view of whole specimen, right side; B—Opercular area, lateral view; C—Terminal cirri; D—Caudal appendage; E—Labrum (damaged); F—Mandible; G—Maxillule; H—Mouth cirrus, rami.Abbreviations: ca—caudal appendage