On the genus Halirages (Crustacea, Amphipoda), with the description of two new species from Scandinavia and Arctic Europe

Cédric D'Udekem D'Acoz

doi:10.5852/ejt.2012.7

Abstract

A new common deep-sea species of Halirages Boeck, 1871 closely related to H. qvadridentatus G.O. Sars, 1877, H. cainae sp. nov., is described after specimens collected in the Norwegian Sea during the MAREANO 2009-111 cruise. Examination of the syntypes of H. elegans Norman, 1882 demonstrates that Norman's species is a junior synonym of H. qvadridentatus G.O. Sars, 1877 and that the species usually named H. elegans in literature was actually undescribed. The name H. stappersi sp. nov. is proposed for that species. A key to and a checklist of Halirages species is given.

Highlights

According to Barnard & Karaman (1991), the amphipod genus Halirages Boeck, 1871 includes 7 shallow- and deep-water species, all from Arctic and sub-Arctic Seas: H. caecus Kamenskaya, 1980, H. elegans Norman, 1882, H. fulvocinctus
During the second leg of the MAREANO 2009-111 cruise (29 Sep. 2009-11 Oct. 2009) on the eastern slope of the Norwegian deep Sea, a large crimson Halirages species was observed with the video platform Campod and collected in several trawl and sledge hauls
At first it was assumed that the taxon at hand could be H. elegans, a species inadequately described after specimens from bathyal Faeroe waters (Norman 1882)

Summary

Introduction

According to Barnard & Karaman (1991), the amphipod genus Halirages Boeck, 1871 includes 7 shallow- and deep-water species, all from Arctic and sub-Arctic Seas: H. caecus Kamenskaya, 1980, H. elegans Norman, 1882, H. fulvocinctus During the second leg of the MAREANO 2009-111 cruise (29 Sep. 2009-11 Oct. 2009) on the eastern slope of the Norwegian deep Sea, a large crimson Halirages species was observed with the video platform Campod At first it was assumed that the taxon at hand could be H. elegans, a species inadequately described after specimens from bathyal Faeroe waters (Norman 1882). The crimson Halirages exhibited some similarities with two further deep-sea species from the Arctic Ocean: H. gorbunovi from the eastern part of the European Journal of Taxonomy 7: 1-32 (2012). A key to and a checklist of Halirages species is given

Material and Methods

Results

22. Halirages quadridentatus – Stebbing 1906