PSEUDOSQUILLIDAE Manning, 1977a

Brokensha, Rouane, Landschoff, Jannes & Griffiths, Charles, 2025, Taxonomic guide to the mantis shrimps (Crustacea: Stomatopoda) of South Africa, Zootaxa 5713 (1), pp. 1-93 : 35

PSEUDOSQUILLIDAE Manning, 1977a

Pseudosquillidae Manning, 1977a: 95 . [ Type genus Pseudosquilla Dana, 1852 ].

Diagnosis (after Ahyong 2001). Dorsal surface of A2 protopod with articulated, ventrally carinate plate. Raptorial claw ischiomeral articulation terminal; propodus occlusal margin evenly pectinate proximally, becoming sparsely pectinate distally; dactylus slender with 3 teeth, basally uninflated. Mandibular palp 3-segmented. MXP1–5 with epipod. AS 6 articulating with telson. Telson with distinct, slender MD carina; SM denticles absent in adults. Articulation of uropodal exopod segments terminal; distal spines on outer margin of uropodal exopod slender, straight or slightly curved, but not strongly recurved anteriorly.

Composition. Pseudosquilla Dana, 1852 ; Pseudosquillana Cappola & Manning, 1995 ; Pseudosquillisma Cappola & Manning, 1995 ; Raoulserenea Manning, 1995 .

Remarks. While only two of the four genera have been recorded in South Africa, it is expected that Pseudosquilla , previously recorded from Mozambique, may occur along the east coast of South Africa.

Key to the genera of Pseudosquillidae of southern Africa [South African in bold]

1. Telson with 3 carinae either side of MD carina ( Fig. 15G , 16H )................................................. 2

– Telson with 4 carinae either side of MD carina ( Fig. 14J )......................................... Pseudosquillisma

2. Cornea subglobular, not broadened anteriorly. Carapace without pair of large dark spots. Uropodal protopod with inner spine longer.................................................................................... Pseudosquilla

– Cornea flattened, broadened anteriorly. Carapace with pair of large dark, circular patches. Uropodal protopod with inner spine shorter.................................................................................... Raoulserenea

Figures

FIGURE 14. Pseudosquillisma kensleyi Ahyong, 2005, holotype ♂ TL 30 mm, SAMC-A015617. A, raptorial claw, lateral; B, right antennal protopod, lateral; C–D, eye, lateral and dorsal; E, right pleopod 1 endopod, anterior; G, TS5–8, right lateral; H, AS2–5, right lateral; I, right uropod, ventral; J, AS5–6, left uropod and telson, dorsal. Scale A–D, G–J = 2 mm, E = 1 mm.

FIGURE 15. Raoulserenea ornata (Miers, 1880), ♀ TL 43 mm, SAMC-A015620. A, anterior cephalothorax, dorsal; B, right eye, lateral; C, antennal protopod, lateral; D, right raptorial claw, lateral; E, TS5–8, right lateral; F, AS2–5, right lateral; G, AS5–6, telson and right uropod, dorsal; H, right uropod, ventral. Scale A–H = 2 mm.

FIGURE 16. Raoulserenea oxyrhyncha (Borradaile, 1898), ♂ TL 35 mm, SAMC-A015618. A, right raptorial claw, lateral; B, anterior cephalothorax, dorsal; C, left eye, lateral; D, right antennal protopod, lateral; E, TS5–8, right lateral; F, left pleopod 1 endopod, anterior; G, right uropod, ventral; H, AS4–6, telson and left uropod, dorsal. Scale A–C, E, G–H = 2 mm, D, F = 1.5 mm.