Pseudolitochira pacifica, Ng & Clark, 2022

Ng, Peter K. L. & Clark, Paul F., 2022, Descriptions of three new Pseudolitochira Ward, 1942 species (Crustacea: Brachyura: Pilumnidae) from the West Pacific, Journal of Natural History 56 (5 - 8), pp. 349-364 : 359

Pseudolitochira pacifica sp. nov.

( Figures 2a ; 5a–d ; 6a, d, f ; 7b )

Litocheira longipes – Yokoya 1933: 196; Sakai, 1934: 314 (not Pilumnoplax longipes Stimpson, 1858 ).

Heteropilumnus longipes – Sakai 1939: 540, text-fig. 55; 1976: 493, pl. 176 fig. 4.

Material examined

Holotype female, 5.2 × 3.5 mm, ZRC 2017.190 , station DB71, south of Turtle Island , massive coral ‘ Aldric’, 15.360°S, 167.208°E, Santo, Vanuatu, 7 m, coll. Santo Expedition, 27 September 2006.

Diagnosis

Carapace transversely subovate, width 1.49 times length ( Figures 2a , and 5a ); surface covered with short, relatively dense pubescence which obscures surface and margins, with long simple setae along margins which do not obscure margin ( Figures 2a , and 5a ); anterolateral margin almost entire, with small granules, junction with posterolateral margin with small low lobe but not dentiform ( Figure 5a ); posterior margin of epistome with median lobe flattened, almost level with endostome, lateral margin gently concave ( Figure 5b, c ); third maxilliped with short, subquadrate ischium, merus quadrate, subdistal margin with prominent rounded granules ( Figures 5d , and 7b ); major chela with fingers subequal to or almost as long as length of palm ( Figure 6a ); ambulatory legs with merus and propodus relatively short, stout ( Figure 6d ); vulvae relatively smaller, ovate, positioned farther apart, opening obliquely ( Figure 6c ).

Etymology

This species is named after the Pacific Ocean.

Remarks

Pseudolitochira pacifica sp. nov. in most characters, especially the carapace characters, resembles P. integra . For comparisons with congeners, see Discussion.

Figures

Figure 2. Overall dorsal views. (a) Pseudolitochira pacifica sp. nov., female, 5.2 × 3.5 mm, ZRC 2017.190, Vanuatu; (b) P. crinita sp. nov., female, 10.0 × 6.8 mm, ZRC 2021.298, Papua New Guinea.

Figure 5. (a–d) Pseudolitochira pacifica sp. nov., female, 5.2 × 3.5 mm, ZRC 2017.190, Vanuatu; (e–h) P. crinita sp. nov., female, 10.0 × 6.8 mm, ZRC 2021.298, Papua New Guinea. (a, e) dorsal view of carapace; (b, c, f, g) frontal view of cephalothorax; (d, h) left third maxilliped.

Figure 6. (a, d, f) Pseudolitochira pacifica sp. nov., female, 5.2 × 3.5 mm, ZRC 2017.190,Vanuatu; (b, c, e, g) P. crinita sp. nov., female, 10.0 × 6.8 mm, ZRC 2021.298, Papua New Guinea. (a) chelae; (b) right chela; (c) left chela; (d, e) thoracic sternum and vulvae; (f) right fourth ambulatory leg; (g) right fourth ambulatory leg (merus denuded).

Figure 7. (a, d–h) Pseudolitochira maenosonoi sp. nov. (a) holotype male, 4.5 × 2.8 mm, RUMF-ZC -5196, Okinawa. (b) P. pacifica sp. nov., female, 5.2 × 3.5 mm, ZRC 2017.190, Vanuatu; (c) P. crinita sp. nov., female, 10.0 × 6.8 mm, ZRC 2021.298, Papua New Guinea. (a–c) third maxilliped; (d) pleon and telson; (e) whole G1; (f–g) distal tip of G1; H, G2; (a–d) denuded. Scale bars: a–d = 0.5 mm; e, h = 0.2 mm; f, g = 0.1 mm.