Gnathiapipinde sp. nov. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Gnathiidae), a temporary parasite of the pufferfish, Amblyrhynchoteshonckenii, from temperate southern Africa.

Abstract

A new species, Gnathiapipinde sp. nov., is described from specimens taken from pufferfish, Amblyrhynchoteshonckenii, at Chintsa and De Hoop Nature Reserve on the southern Indian Ocean coast of South Africa. Gnathiapipinde sp. nov. is characterised by the straight frontal margin, presence of conical superior frontolateral process, a strong and bifid mediofrontal processes, pronounced and pointed supraocular lobes, mandible strongly curved with a dentate blade, and the claviform penes produced more than a third the length of the pereon. A summary and key to the males of all known species of the Gnathiidae from the Temperate Southern African marine realm is provided.