Abstract
A relic amphipod of the Tethys, Sarothrogammarusyiiruaesp. nov., is described from Xinjiang, China. The new species is characterized by the absence of eyes; having the palm of the propodus without a mid-palmar spine on gnathopods I–II; a weakly concave coxal plate IV; narrow bases of pereopods V–VII; a peduncle of uropod I without a basofacial spine; uropod III longer than uropods I–II, a scale-like inner ramus, and a biarticulate outer ramus with distinct second article. Detailed morphological comparisons with related species are discussed. Genetic distances of the new and related species are provided as proof of species identification.
Highlights
Sarothrogammarid amphipods are considered relics of the Tethys fauna (Stock 1971, 1995), consisting of a freshwater Sarothrogammarus-group in Pamir and a brackish genus, Rhipidogammarus Stock, 1971 along the Mediterranean coast (Hou et al 2011)
The freshwater Sarothrogammarus-group is characterized by having filtrative setae on pereopod III and urosomites with reduced spines or setae
The genus Comatogammarus is distinguished from Sarothrogammarus in having filtrative setae on pereopod IV; while the genus Barnardiorum differs from Sarothrogammarus in having a vestigial second article on uropod III
Summary
Sarothrogammarid amphipods are considered relics of the Tethys fauna (Stock 1971, 1995), consisting of a freshwater Sarothrogammarus-group in Pamir and a brackish genus, Rhipidogammarus Stock, 1971 along the Mediterranean coast (Hou et al 2011). There are eight species recorded in Pamir: Comatogammarus ferghanensis (Martynov & Behning, 1948), Barnardiorum ruffoi (Karaman, 1971), B. shadini (Birstein, 1948), Sarothrogammarus asiaticus Martynov, 1935, S. multipennatus Karaman, 1969, S. lindbergi Karaman, 1969, S. afghanus (Ruffo, 1958), and S. trichiatus Stock, 1971. They were all reported from Afghanistan or Tadzhikistan. The genetic distances between the new species and known species are calculated to confirm the species delimitation
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