Auritoglyptes, Kolbasov & Newman, 2005

Kolbasov, Gregory A. & Newman, William A., 2005, Revision of the Lithoglyptidae sensu Tomlinson, 1969 and Lithoglyptes Aurivillius, 1892 (Cirripedia, Acrothoracica,), including a new species from Bermuda, Zootaxa 1013 (1), pp. 35-64 : 44-47

Auritoglyptes gen. n.

( Figs. 3 , 4 )

Lithoglyptes Aurivillius, 1892:133 , in part.

Chytraea Utinomi, 1950c:458, nom. nud. (does not satisfy the requirements of ICZN Articles 13.1.1 and 13.3, and hence Chytraeidae Utinomi, 1950c:457 also nom. nud.).

Diagnosis: Lithoglyptinae having two­segmented caudal appendages plus pedestals, an operculum with a pair of long, articulated, posterior, setose, ear­like processes, or “auricles” ( Fig. 3A ), opercular bars with well developed, anteriorly hooked (decurved) opercular projections, and a mantle without an orificial knob or lateral bars.

Etymology: from the Latin auritus – eared, in reference to the pair of posterior processes (“auricles”) of the operculum, and the Greek glyptes – carver, in reference to its affinities with the rock carver, Lithoglyptes .

A monotypic genus represented by Auritoglyptes bicornis ( Aurivillius, 1892) the type, morphologically although not necessarily genetically a senior synonym of L. spinatus Tomlinson & Newman, 1960 (cf. Newman & Tomlinson 1974).

Description: The opercular bars are armed with long setae and bifid and simple teeth, and a pair of strong, anteriorly hooked, posterior projections ( Figs. 3 A ; 4 A ). A pair of long, articulated, setose processes (“auricles”) inserted posterior to the opercular bars are diagnostic for the genus. Well­developed apertural (opercular) papillae are located beneath the opercular bars in conspicuous pits, between the rows of prominent multifid scales, ( Fig. 4 B, D ), and on the surface of the auricles ( Fig. 4 C ). Typical prominent multifid scales, with scattered small setae coming up between them, cover the lateral faces of the operculum ( Fig. 4 E ). Lateral bars are absent. The orificial knob area lacks teeth but bears setae and dense multifid scales ( Figs. 3 A ; 4 F ).

The oval or teardrop shaped attachment disk has indistinct growth lines and its cuticle is covered with dense, flexible extensions united into groups with oval outlines ( Fig. 4 G, H ).

The caudal appendages consist, as in Lithoglyptes s.s., of two segments supported by a pedestal, although the distal segment, with four plumose setae, is shorter than the proximal one ( Fig. 3 E ).

The mantle of the dwarf males ( Fig. 3 F ) has well­developed, wing­like lateral body projections. The apertural slit, situated on the elongated end of mantle, is without teeth, setae or denticles ( Fig. 4 I ). There is a long, thin stalk between the mantle and antennules ( Figs. 3 F ; 4 J ). The cuticle of the body is covered by small, sharp and dense extensions characteristic for all lithoglyptids ( Fig. 4 K ).

Distribution: Almost all tropical and subtropical waters: Red Sea, Aden, Maldives, Thailand, Java, Vietnam, New Guinea, Japan, Great Barrier Reef (Heron Island) Australia, Marshall Islands, Line Islands, Caribbean and Bermuda (re habitat and associates, cf. A. thomasi sp. nov. herein). Depth: from subtidal zone to 10 m.

Hosts. On Acropora palmata , Acropora studeri, Dendrophylla axifuga and some undetermined corals. Bivalve molluscs ­ Barbatia decussata , Pinctada margaritifera , Pteria avicula , Tridacna maxima ; and gastropods ­ Drupa ricinus , Morula cavernosa , Turbo argirostoma . Also in skeletons of dead invertebrates and limestone.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Auritoglyptes gen. nov.: A. bicornis (Aurivillius, 1892). A – viewed from right side; B – mandible; C – mandibular palp; D – maxillule; E – caudal appendage; F – dwarf male. (A, E, F – from Kolbasov, 2000e). Abbreviations: ad – attachment disk; as – apertural slit; cc – comb collar; lp – lateral projection (wing); obp – opercular bar, posterior projection; oka – orificial knob area; sp – long, articulated posterior setose process (“auricle”); st – stalk. Scale bars in µm.

FIGURE 4. Auritoglyptes gen. nov.: A. bicornis (Aurivillius, 1892). A, B – posterior and anterior portions of operculum respectively; C – surface of an auricle; D – opercular papilla; E – massive multifid scales; F – surface of orificial knob area; G – cuticle of attachment disk; H – flexible cuticular extensions of attachment disk (G) enlarged; I – dwarf male, apertural slit; J – dwarf male, base of stalk; K – dwarf male, rows of fringes or denticles on the middle part of body (all photos from Kolbasov, 2000e). Abbreviations: as – apertural slit; cc – comb collar; ms – massive multifid scales; obp – opercular bar, posterior projection; op – opercular papillae; sp – auricle; spp –papillae of an auricle; st – stalk. Scale bars in µm.