Leucothoe baobeldabensis, Myers, A. A., 2013

Myers, A. A., 2013, Amphipoda (Crustacea) from Palau, Micronesia: Families Dexaminidae, Eusiridae, Hyalidae, Ischyroceridae, Leucothoidae and Lysianassidae, Zootaxa 3731 (3), pp. 301-323 : 307

Leucothoe baobeldabensis sp. nov.

( Figs 4 , 5 )

Type material. Holotype, male 8.0 mm (OUMNH.ZC.2002.24.106)71 Western Channel, Baobeldab Island, from Ircinia Nardo sp. (Porifera: Irciniidae ), - 15 m depth; 07°32.526'N, 134°28.287'E; leg. S. De Grave & C. Burras, 21 May 2002.

Etymology. Named after the type locality.

Description. Based on male holotype, 8.0 mm.

Head. Head eye lobes truncate, eye of moderate size. Antenna 1 and 2 subequal in length. Antenna 1 peduncular articles 1 and 2 subequal in length, article 1 with strong posterodistal spine; article 3 about one third length of article 2; flagellum shorter than peduncular article 2 with 5 articles. Antenna 2 peduncular article 4 longer than 5; flagellum shorter than peduncular article 5 with 5 articles. Maxilliped outer plate posterior margin smooth.

Pereon. Gnathopod 1 coxa anterior and posterior margins concave; basis slender widened medially, more than 3 × as long as broad, with few marginal setae; carpal spine slender, reaching end of propodus, weakly curved distally, unornamented; propodus elongate, 5 × as long as broad, palm granulate and with about 6 evenly place medium-long setae; dactylus long, about half length of propodus. Gnathopod 2 coxa subrectangular, basis stout, 3 × as long as broad, anterior margin with 8 evenly spaced long fine setae; carpus elongate, slender; propodus subovoid, lacking mediofacial setal row, palm distally with rounded spines, remainder of pam undulate; dactylus fitting palm, two thirds length of propodus. Pereopod 3 coxa longer than broad, anterior margin convex, posterior margin weakly convex, without facial setae. Pereopod 4 coxa broad, posteroproximal margin not excavate, without facial setae. Pereopod 5– 7 basis a little longer than broad

Pleon. Epimeron 1 bare, posterodistal margin truncate. Epimeron 2 rounded. Epimeron 3 truncate. Uropods 1–2 rami subequal in length. Uropod 3 rami subequal in length, four fifths length of peduncle. Telson terminally tridentate.

Female. Unknown.

Remarks. This species resembles L. nurunuru White & Reimer, 2012 b from the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. It differs in the configuration of the spines on the palm of the male gnathopod 2, the more elongate and setose basis of the male gnathopod 2 and the subequal rami of uropod 2.

Habitat. From sponges.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Leucothoe baobeldabensis sp. nov., holotype male, Palau.

FIGURE 5. Leucothoe baobeldabensis sp. nov., holotype male, Palau.