A new genus of Parabathynellidae (Crustacea: Bathynellacea) in New South Wales,Australia

A new genus and species of the family Parabathynellidae, Octobathynella peelensis gen. nov. sp. nov., is described from New South Wales, Australia. The new genus displays several exclusive characters: a very large and distinctive male thoracopod VIII with one crest-like projection containing two lobules on the basipod; and four aesthetascs on segments six and seven of the antennule. It also has several combinations of characters that make it unique in the Parabathynellidae, specifically that: the antennule is eight-segmented (a new character in the Australian species); there are seven segments in the antenna; the labrum has 18–20 teeth; the exopod of thoracopod I has three to four segments and the exopod of thoracopod II has four segments; the endopod has one dorsal seta on the first and second segments and the epipod is absent on thoracopod I; pleopods are absent; the endopod of the male thoracopod VIII has two setae and the exopod has setules; there are 10–12 spines on the sympod, three or four spines on the endopod and five setae on the exopod of the uropod. The new genus and species is placed into context with all known Bathynellacea in Australia, and the biogeographic patterns are discussed for this ancient group of subterranean crustaceans.     

First record of Syncarida from Queensland,Australia, with description of two new species of Notobathynella Schminke, 1973 (Crustacea,Bathynellacea, Parabathynellidae)

Two new species of the parabathynellid genus Notobathynella Schminke, 1973 Schminke, HK. 1973. Evolution, System und Verbreitungsgeschichte der Familie Parabathynellidae (Bathynellacea, Malacostraca)Akad Wiss Lit Mainz, Math-Naturwiss Klasse, Mikrofauna Meeresbodens, 24: 1–192.  [Google Scholar] are described from Australia: N. octocamura sp. nov. and N. pentatrichion sp. nov. Notobathynella octocamura sp. nov. has eight claws on the distal endite of the maxillule, a character that is unique in the Parabathynellidae. It is also the first species of the genus with the following characters: five setae on the terminal segment of antenna, 26–28 teeth on labrum, 31 setae on maxilla, a three-segmented exopod on thoracopod I, five-segmented exopods on thoracopods IV and V, three setae and two claws on the fourth endopodal segment of thoracopods I to IV, and six setae on the uropodal exopod. This species also has a unique setal formula for some thoracopods. Notobathynella pentatrichion sp. nov. is unique in the genus with five setae on the uropodal exopod and, like N. octocamura sp. nov., has a one- or two-segmented exopod on thoracopod I, a four- or five-segmented exopod of thoracopod V, and three setae and two claws in the four segments of the endopod of thoracopods II to IV. The two new species extend the distribution of Bathynellacea in Australia and are the first species to be described from Queensland.     

The first record of Syncarida in Montana,USA: a new genus and species of Parabathynellidae (Crustacea,Bathynellacea) in North America

Montanabathynella salish gen. nov. sp. nov., of the family Parabathynellidae, from Montana, USA, is described. The new species displays several exclusive characters: distal endite of the maxillule with nine claws and a very large and distinctive male thoracopod 8 with four lobes in the basal penial region and a long recurved exopod without setation. It also presents a unique combination of characters: antennule seven‐segmented; antenna six‐segmented; labrum with 18 teeth; exopod of thoracopods three‐ to six‐segmented, endopod with one dorsal seta on the first and second segments and epipod only present on thoracopods 4 to 7; pleopods absent; endopod of thoracopod 8 male with two setae and exopod without setae; female thoracopod 8 having two segments, first segment with two groups of denticles and the second one with three long barbed setae; 15 spines on sympod, four spines and spinous process on endopod and 12 setae on exopod of uropod.     

The first record of Bathynellacea from Thailand: a new genus and species of Parabathynellidae (Crustacea: Syncarida)

A new genus and species of the family Parabathynellidae, Siambathynella laorsriae gen. nov. et sp. nov. is described from Thailand. The new genus displays an exclusive character: a distinctive male thoracopod VIII with a row of denticles on the basipod. The new species also displays a unique combination of morphological characters, including a seven-segmented antennule, seven-segmented antenna, sexual dimorphism on the antennule, exopod of thoracopod I one-segmented, exopod of thoracopod II–VII two-segmented, male thoracopod VIII lacking basipodal seta, female thoracopod VIII with two setae, lacking pleopods, sympod of the uropod with inhomonomous row of spines, and endopod of uropod with a spinous distal process and a large distal spine ornamented with rows of setules. This is the first record of Bathynellacea (family Parabathynellidae) in Thailand, extending the distributional range of this taxon in Asia.     

A new genus and species of Syncarida (Crustacea: Malacostraca) from Borneo

A new genus and species of the family Parabathynellidae, Sabahbathynella wongi, is described. It has been discovered in the interstitial of coarse sand filling the spaces between big stones of the bank along a stream in Sabah on Borneo. The new genus of the family Parabathynellidae exhibits some unusual features which make it impossible to assess its phylogenetic position. There are some convergencies with the genus Thermobathynella.     

Disentangling an Asian puzzle: Two new bathynellid (Crustacea,Syncarida, Parabathynellidae) genera from Vietnam

In this paper the 17 asiatic species of the family Parabathynellidae are reviewed from a taxonomic point of view using bibliographic data. Two new genera and two new species are described from caves in Vietnam. Paraeobathynella n. g. presents a unique combination of characters (antennule: seven segments; antenna: six segments; mandible: pars incisiva with five teeth and pars molaris with 10 teeth; maxillule: distal endite with seven claws; exopod of the thoracopods with three or more segments and epipods present in thoracopods 3–7; pleopods absent; endopod of the Th 8 male with two setae; seven spines on the sympod and two spines on the endopod of the uropod and the small minimum size of the adult body) and exclusive characters like the Th 8 female having two small spines and one long seta and the general size and aspect of the Th 8 male and its lobes. Sketinella n. g. presents a unique combination of characters (antennule: eight segments; antenna; six segments; mandible: pars incisiva with six teeth and pars molaris with eight teeth: maxillule: distal endite with seven claws; exopod of the thoracopods with three or more segments and epipods present in Th 3–7; endopod of the thoracopod 8 male with two setae; 12 spines on the sympod and two spines on the endopod and seven setae on the exopod of the uropod) and characters exclusive to the asiatic species are: a pair of pleopods reduced to a single seta; a very distinctive basipod and outer lobe of the Th 8 male and an exopod of the Th 8 male with a small tooth or protuberance. This is the first time that the Parabathynellidae has been found in Vietnam, this find extends the range of distribution of this family in Asia.     

An overview of Hexabathynella (Crustacea,Syncarida, Parabathynellidae) with the description of a new species

A new species of the cosmopolitan genus Hexabathynella is described from Spain. This new species has four setae on the expopod of the uropod, the rest of the species in the genus have between one and three. The endopod of the uropod has two smooth setae of similar length and one plumose seta, these characters only appear in the new species within the genus. The antennal organ in the males is shown to be a new unique character for the genus. It is the third species of this genus that has been found in Spain. To date the genus consists of 18 species in the world. A key for identification of the 18 species of Hexabathynella is provided. It is the only cosmopolitan genus of Bathynellacea and it is distributed in Europe (nine species), Africa (one species), South America (two species), North America (three species) and Australia and New Zealand (three species).     

A new genus and six new species of the Parabathynellidae (Bathynellacea,Syncarida) from the Kimberley region,Western Australia

Six new species of a new genus of the Parabathynellidae are described from the Kimberley Region, Western Australia. The erection of the new genus, Kimberleybathynella gen. nov., is based on the two‐segmented antenna, the partial fusion of the second and third segments of the maxilla, and the setal condition of the uropodal exopodite, where the outer seta is longer than the inner one. The one‐segmented exopodite of thoracopods I–VII and hemispherical form of male thoracopod VIII suggest the close relationship of Kimberleybathynella to the genus Atopobathynella.     

A primitive representative of the Parabathynellidae (Bathynellacea,Syncarida) from the Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia

Billibathynella humphreysi gen. et sp. nov. is described from calcrete aquifers located in the Yilgarn Craton of north‐western Australia. This is the first parabathynellid known from the Australian Precambrian shields, which have never been inundated by the sea. A comparison of the primitive species so far known from Australia and other continents points to the new species as being the most primitive among the parabathynellids. It further suggests that the new genus has an affinity to Notobathynella Schminke, but differs in having a six‐segmented antenna and a large epipod of the male thoracopod VIII. An attempt to relate the primitiveness of the new species to the historiogeological characteristics of the region has led to the conclusion that the recent parabathynellids could have emerged from freshwater epigean ancestors. It is further assumed that the transition of their ancestors to groundwaters happened in Notogaea.     

New records of Bathynellacea (Syncarida,Bathynellidae) in North America: three new species of the genus Pacificabathynella from Montana,USA

Three new species of the genus Pacificabathynella Schminke and Noodt, 1988 Schminke, H K and Noodt, W. 1988. Groundwater Crustacea of the order Bathynellacea (Malacostraca) from North America. J Crustacean Biol., 8(2): 290–299.  [Google Scholar] are described from groundwater aquifers in glaciated North America (Montana, USA). This is the first time that this genus, known previously only from the state of California, has been documented in Montana. Pacificabathynella and Paradoxibathynella Serban, 2000 Serban, E. 2000. Uenobathynella n.g., Parauenobathynella n.g., Morimotobathynella n.g., Nihobathynella n.g. et Paradoxibathynella n.g., Bathynellinae du Japón (Bathynellidae, Bathynellacea, Podophallocarida). Travaux Inst Spéol “Émile Racovitza”, 36: 3–61.  [Google Scholar] are the only genera that show sexual dimorphism in thoracopod VI. Pacificabathynella kalispellensis sp. nov. has several unique features: the setal formula of the antenna (0/2+exop/3/12/6/8/5); the setal formula of the maxilla (7/4/7/6); the presence of an epipod on thoracopod II; tufts of setulae and abundant setae on the basipod and endopod of thoracopods I to V; the epipod of thoracopod VIII female three times longer than the basipod; three smooth setae on the exopod of the female thoracopod VIII; eight spines on the endopod of the uropod and the endopod longer than the sympod, whereas the opposite is typical. Pacificabathynella stanfordi sp. nov. has several unique features: only five setae on the exopod of thoracopods II to VII, while six setae are common in the genus; only six setae on the second segment of the first pleopod; five spines on the endopod and seven setae on the exopod of the uropod. Pacificabathynella ruthae sp. nov. is the largest species and has several unique features: antennule equal in size to the antenna, whereas in the rest of the species of the genus the antenna is larger; the projection of the inner lobe of the male thoracopod VIII is bidentate and there are six spines on the endopod and nine setae on the exopod of the uropod. The three new species have slight differences in the pars molaris of the mandible and in thoracopod VIII of males, and there are other minor differences between the females and the species Pacificabathynella sequoiae. The new taxa, together with the new genus Montanabathynella described separately, represent a 30% increase in North American taxa. Considering the glaciated landscape and the fragmented nature of alluvial aquifer habitat, we believe that there is a profound lack of critical knowledge of the biogeography and biodiversity of syncarids in North America.     

Ten new species of the genus Brevisomabathynella Cho,Park and Ranga Reddy, 2006 (Malacostraca,Bathynellacea, Parabathynellidae) from Western Australia

Ten new species of Brevisomabathynella Cho, Park and Ranga Reddy, 2006 Cho, JL, Park, JG and Ranga Reddy, Y. 2006. Brevisomabathynella gen. nov. with two new species from Western Australia (Bathynellacea, Syncarida): the first definitive evidence of predation in Parabathynellidae. Zootaxa., 1247: 25–42.  [Google Scholar] are described and illustrated from the arid region of Western Australia. Comparison of the external morphology revealed the presence of three common characters distributed among the 10 species: the five-segmented antenna, the absence of the basipodal seta on the male thoracopod VIII and the absence of a basiventral seta on the uropodal exopod. This character combination is not found in Notobathynella and Billibathynella, but only in Brevisomabathynella, a genus known from two described species both with unusual characters. Despite the three common attributes, the 10 new species differ remarkably from these two described species, but could not be defined by their own synapomorphy. Consequently, and cognizant of a previously performed molecular analysis, we assign the 10 new species to Brevisomabathynella and amend the generic diagnosis. The species inhabit shallow aquifers in groundwater calcretes and each appears to be endemic to a given calcrete formation. The two species previously known and the 10 species now described include four sympatric species pairs, with similar-sized sympatric species differing markedly in body form. Brevisomabathynella inhabit groundwater up to at least marine salinity.     

The first record of the genus Vejdovskybathynella Serban and Leclerc, 1984 (Syncarida,Bathynellacea, Bathynellidae) in the Iberian Peninsula: three new species

Three new species of the genus Vejdovskybathynella are described from caves in northern Spain. It is the first time that this genus has been documented in the Iberian Peninsula. Vejdovskybathynella edelweiss n. sp. has several unique features: the setal formula of the antenna (0/2+exp/2+0/1+0/0+0/2+2/4); the form of the segments and claws of the mandibular palp of the mandible of the male; exopod of the female thoracopod VIII similar in size to the endopod (exopod is always longer than the endopod); small frontal projection of the basipod of the male thoracopod VIII, large or very large is common; the form and size of the lobes of the male thoracopod VIII is unique; the second spine of the furcal rami 2.5 times longer than the first spine. Vejdovskybathynella caroloi n. sp. has a unique male thoracopod VIII with a spur in the exopod that is a feature unknown in the genus, and additionally, this species has the smallest endopod of the thoracopod VIII male of the entire genus; the presence of three aesthetascs in segments VI and VII of the antennule had not been observed in this genus until now; the form of the segments of the mandibular palp of the mandible of the male are unique; the distal spine of the sympod of the uropod is larger than in other species, whereas in the rest of the species of the genus they are equal in size. Vejdovskybathynella pascalis n. sp. is the smallest species of the genus and has two and three aesthetascs in segments VI and VII of the antennule, respectively; it is the only species of the genus that has one seta on segment I and two setae on segment IV of the antenna; it has a unique male thoracopod VIII with a small spur on the frontal projection of the basipod and with the endopod larger than all other species in spite of its small size; the basal spine of the sympod of the uropod is smaller than the other three.     

Redefinition of Nipponbathynella based on the four new species from East Asia (Crustacea: Bathynellacea: Parabathynellidae)

Four new species of the parabathynellid genus Nipponbathynella Schminke, 1973 are described from South Korea (Nipponbathynella leesookyungae sp. nov., Nipponbathynella donggangensis sp. nov. and Nipponbathynella wanjuensis sp. nov.) and Japan (Nipponbathynella shigaensis sp. nov.), raising the number of known species to seven. Nipponbathynella leesookyungae is characterized by the convex ventral surface of the labrum and the rich ornamentation (with three spinules and two teeth) of the exopod of male thoracopod VIII; N. donggangensis by the distal spine on the distal maxillular segment with many dentils; N. wanjuensis by the endopod of the male thoracopod VIII with one seta (instead of two) and the serrated endopodal spur of the uropod; and N. shigaensis by the basipod of thoracopods II–VII carrying strong hairs on their outer margin. The three new and one known (Nipponbathynella pectina) South Korean species share a bur-like inner lobe of the male thoracopod VIII, suggesting their close relationship. Based on the one-segmented exopod on thoracopod I and two-segmented exopod on the thoracopods II–VII, the bell-shaped male thoracopod VIII and the uropod with sympod carrying a large distal spine in addition to several proximal spines of smaller size, with endopod drawn into a spur and with exopod carrying a seta, a close phylogenetic relationship between Nipponbathynella and Arisubathynella Park and Eun, 2012 is proposed.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9650379F-C249-473C-AAA4-B3D638B96322     

On a new genus and new species of xanthid crab (Crustacea,Decapoda, Brachyura,Xanthinae) from the South China Sea,with notes on the genus Liagore De Haan, 1833

A new genus and new species of xanthid crab, Ovatis simplex, is described from the South China Sea. The genus is closest to Liagore but can be distinguished by a suite of carapace and male gonopod characters. The systematic position of Liagore is also considered, and both genera, Liagore and Ovatis, are here referred to the subfamily Xanthinae. Comparisons with the allied genera, Paratergatis and Pulcratis, are also provided.     

Extremalona timmsi gen. nov., sp. nov., a new cladoceran (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) from an acid saline lake in southwest Western Australia

A new species of Cladocera, Extremalona timmsi gen. nov., sp. nov., was found in acid saline lakes in the southwest of Western Australia. Extremalona gen. nov. belongs to the Coronatella-branch of Aloninae, but differs from all members of the group by the oval body with small high-set head (tip of rostrum located at half-height of the body), the exopodite III with uniform, well-developed setae 4–6 and male antennule with six lateral and nine terminal aesthetascs, and by numerous other characters. In our opinion, Extremalona gen. nov. is one of the ancestral genera of the Coronatella-branch of Aloninae, sharing numerous common features with the elegans-group of Alona s.l. Our data confirm a high level of endemism in Australian Chydoridae and Cladocera in general.     

Terrapotamon gen. nov., a new genus of freshwater crabs from Malaysia and Thailand,with description of a new species,Terrapotamon aipooae sp. nov. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae)

A new genus, Terrapotamon gen. nov., is established to accomodate two species of freshwater crabs, Potamon abbotti Rathbun, 1898 from southern Thailand, and a new species, Terrapotamon aipooae sp. nov. from West Malaysia. Members of this genus are characterized by their inflated carapaces, very acutely triangular external orbital angles, and structure of their first male gonopods.     

New family and genus Rostrocalanus gen. nov. (Crustacea: Calanoida: Rostrocalanidae fam. nov.) from deep Atlantic waters

Two new species of a new genus and family Rostrocalanidae of benthopelagic clausocalanoid copepods are described from female specimens collected from abyssal depths close to the sea bed in the tropical Atlantic. Rostrocalanus gen. nov. shares the presence of sensory setae on maxilla with other bradfordian families of Clausocalanoidea, but does not fit the diagnosis of any of these families. A family Rostrocalanidae is established for this new genus and is defined by the following derived characters: four‐segmented exopod of mandible supplied with four setae; distal basal endite of maxillule fused to endopod and bearing five setae in total; endopod of maxilla furnished with six worm‐like sensory setae; arrangement of setal numbers on praecoxal endites of maxilliped syncoxa as 0, 1, 2. The establishment of a new clausocalanoidean family sheds new light on the morphological diversity of bradfordian benthopelagic copepods and adds to the biodiversity of the deep‐water calanoid fauna.