Abstract
Gnathia bermudensissp. nov. is described from mesophotic coral ecosystems in Bermuda; it is distinguished by pronounced and pointed supraocular lobes, two superior frontolateral processes and a weak bifid mediofrontal process, pereonite 1 not fused dorsally with the cephalosome, and large eyes. This is the first record of a species of Gnathia from Bermuda. A synopsis and key to the other Gnathia species from the Greater Caribbean biogeographic region is provided.
Highlights
Gnathiid isopods are temporary ectoparasites that occur in a variety of habitats ranging in depth, water currents, temperature, climate and salinity (Smit and Davies 2004)
Macrofaunal collections from mesophotic reef ecosystems of Bermuda (MCEs) contained several specimens of a gnathiid isopod that did not correspond to currently described species
All benthic samples were collected from 17 July to 14 August 2016 aboard the R/V “Baseline Explorer”
Summary
Gnathiid isopods are temporary ectoparasites that occur in a variety of habitats ranging in depth, water currents, temperature, climate and salinity (Smit and Davies 2004). In 1993, Müller (1993) proposed Gnathia puertoricensis Menzies & Glynn, 1968 as a junior synonym for G. virginalis Monod, 1926 based on the variation in the characters that separated these two species (granulation and tubercles on the anterior pereonites and cephalon). Macrofaunal collections from mesophotic reef ecosystems of Bermuda (MCEs) contained several specimens of a gnathiid isopod that did not correspond to currently described species.
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