Two new species of Cephalophoxoides Gurjanova, 1977 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Phoxocephalidae) from southeastern Brazil, with comments on the taxonomic status of the genus.

Abstract

Two new species of the genus Cephalophoxoides Gurjanova, 1977 are described. The material examined was collected during the Mini Biological Trawl (MBT) project, off Brazil's southeastern coast on the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, at depths ranging from 34 to 75 meters. Cephalophoxoides fortisetus sp. nov. resembles C. homilis (Barnard, 1960) in some general aspects of mandible, propodus of gnathopods 1-2, basis of pereopod 5 and rami of uropod 1. However, it can be distinguished by the latter species mainly by distinct characters on the maxilliped, gnathopod 1, uropod 2 and uropod 3. Also, the new species presents 1 short and 2 long stout setae on the lobes of telson as a notable character. Cephalophoxoides obtusimanus sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by presenting gnathopod 1 with an obtuse and weakly chelate palm as an exclusive character of the genus. An identification key for all species of Cephalophoxoides of the world is provided.