Zoidbergus, A New Genus of Apseudidae (Tanaidacea) with Remarks on Apseudes Siegi and Apseudes Vitjazi

Abstract

AbstractZoidbergus, a new genus of Apseudidae, is described for deep-water Tanaidacea classified previously in the genusApseudes:A. abyssalis,A. lagenirostris,A. paragracilis,A. tenuimanus,A. tenuisandA. vicinus. The new genus differs fromApseudes s. str. by having acute eyelobes without visual elements, elongated second article of mandibular palp, and carpus of pereopods 2–3 longer than or as long as propodus.Zoidbergusgen. n. can also be distinguished fromApseudes s. str. by the lack of large bases of pereopods 5–6 covered by numerous plumose setae as well as the lack of dense plumose setation on lateral margins of pereonites and pleonites. By general body habitus and structure of pereopodsZoidbergusgen. n. resembles the apseudid genusLeviapseudes, although the genera can be distinguished by the presence of leaf-shaped seta and elongated pereonites 3–6 inLeviapseudes. Based on specimens collected during the IceAGE1 Cruise in September 2011,Zoidbergus tenuisis redescribed and morphology of an undescribed speciesZoidbergussp. A is provided. Supplementary description forZoidbergus vicinusis given based on type material from Statens Naturhistoriske Museum, University of Copenhagen. Additionally comments on the other deep waterApseudesspecies:A. siegiandA. vitjazi, are given.