An unusual new species of paguroid (Crustacea, Anomura, Paguridae) from deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Rafael Lemaitre,Adolfo Gracia,Ana Rosa Vazquez-Bader

doi:10.3897/zookeys.449.8541

Rafael Lemaitre, Adolfo Gracia + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.449.8541

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Abstract

A new hermit crab species of the family Paguridae, Tomopaguropsis ahkinpechensis sp. n., is described from deep waters (780–827 m) of the Gulf of Mexico. This is the second species of Tomopaguropsis known from the western Atlantic, and the fifth worldwide. The new species is morphologically most similar to a species from Indonesia, Tomopaguropsis crinita McLaughlin, 1997, the two having ocular peduncles that diminish in width distally, reduced corneas, dense cheliped setation, and males lacking paired pleopods 1. The calcified figs on the branchiostegite and anterodorsally on the posterior carapace, and the calcified first pleonal somite that is not fused to the last thoracic somite, are unusual paguroid characters. A discussion of the affinities and characters that define this new species is included, along with a key to all five species of Tomopaguropsis.

Highlights

Few deep ocean basins have been sampled or studied more intensely than the Gulf of Mexico
The specimens were collected during deep-water cruises of the B/O Justo Sierra, using a commercial shrimp trawl with an 18 m opening, equipped with a net having 4.5 cm mesh size along the body, An unusual new species of paguroid (Crustacea, Anomura, Paguridae)
In the new species and T. crinita, the ocular peduncles diminish in width distally, and corneas are reduced or weakly dilated; the chelipeds and ambulatory legs are covered with dense, long bristle-like setae most frequently arranged in tufts, but otherwise are unarmed or at most with scattered small tubercles; and males lack paired pleopods 1

Summary

Introduction

Few deep ocean basins have been sampled or studied more intensely than the Gulf of Mexico. Acicle exceeding distal margin of corneas by about half length of acicle, reaching to about midpoint of fifth antennal segment; terminating in minutely bifid spine; with dorsomesial row of long bristle-like setae extending to tip of acicle.

Results

Conclusion