A new caprellid genus and species (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Caprellidae) from Australia

José Manuel Guerra-García

doi:10.1590/2358-2936e2020029

Abstract

Abstract A new genus and new species of caprellid, Parapseudaeginella n. gen., and Parapseudaeginella australiensis n. sp., is described from shallow water of Ningaloo Reef, south of Tantabiddy, reef front, Western Australia. The new genus is very similar to Pseudaeginella Mayer, 1890, but can be easily distinguished by the pereonites 6 and 7 being clearly fused (separated in Pseudaeginella) and by the absence of a pair of proximal grasping spines on the propodus of pereopods 5-7 (present in Pseudaeginella). The new species is characterised by acute dorsal projections on head, pereonite 1 and 2, and acute lateral projections near the coxa of gnathopod 2 in males. The new taxon has probably been overlooked in the past due to its tiny size. Further efforts to sample and describe the smaller caprellids is needed to fully understand the global diversity and relationships of caprellids.

Highlights

The Caprellidae is a family of the Suborder Senticaudata proposed by Lowry and Myers (2013) within the order Amphipoda
The present study reveals the presence of an undescribed genus collected during fieldwork at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia (WA) (Fig. 1) by SCUBA in shallow waters, as part of the expeditions organized by the “CReefs” team
Specimens of the new genus and species are deposited in the Australian Museum (AM) and the Western Australian Museum (WAM)

Summary

Introduction

The Caprellidae is a family of the Suborder Senticaudata proposed by Lowry and Myers (2013) within the order Amphipoda. Keywords New genus, Ningaloo Reef, Parapseudaeginella, Senticaudata, Western Australia. The present study reveals the presence of an undescribed genus collected during fieldwork at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia (WA) (Fig. 1) by SCUBA in shallow waters, as part of the expeditions organized by the “CReefs” team.

Results

Conclusion