Caridina susuroflabra, Richard & Clark, 2009

Jasmine Richard & Paul F. Clark, 2009, African Caridina (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Atyidae): redescriptions of C. africana Kingsley, 1882, C. togoensis Hilgendorf, 1893, C. natalensis Bouvier, 1925 and C. roubaudi Bouvier, 1925 with descriptions of 14 new species, Zootaxa 1995, pp. 1-75 : 60-63

Caridina susuroflabra sp. nov.

( Figs. 32 , 33 )

Material examined. Holotype: ♀ South Africa Eoshowe, Zululand, Major McLaughlin, SAM A 10661. Paratypes: 1♂, 1♀ ovig., 4♀, type locality.

Description. Total length: 25–35 mm. Carapace length: 5–6 mm.

Rostrum ( Fig. 32a, b, c, d ): Equal to end of antennular peduncle or shorter reaching middle of second segment of antennular peduncle. 3–4 mm in length. 0.5–0.6 × long as carapace. 4–10 teeth on dorsal margin leaving 0.40–0.75 of length distally unarmed. 0–1 post-orbital tooth. 7–12 teeth on ventral margin arranged to tip. Tip pointed, bifid or with extra tooth giving trifid shape. Formula (0–1) 4–10/7–12.

Antennular peduncle ( Fig. 32e ): 0.5–0.6 × carapace. Stylocerite 0.7–0.8 × length of basal segment. Anterolateral teeth of basal segment 0.25–0.5 × second segment. 9–10 segments bearing aesthetascs.

First pereiopod ( Fig. 33a ): dactylus 1.3–1.6 × palm of propodus. Chela 2.2–2.3 × long as broad. Carpus 2.2–2.4 × long as broad, anterior excavation not deep.

Second pereiopod ( Fig. 33b ): dactylus 1.3–1.45 × long as palm of propodus. Chela 2.50–2.75 × long as broad. Carpus 4.8–5 × long as broad.

Third pereiopod ( Fig. 33c, d ): dactylus 2.5–2.7 × long as broad. Spines on dactylus varying from 8–10 (including terminal spines). Propodus 4–5 × long as dactylus and 10–11 × long as broad with 12–16 spines along inner margin. Carpus 0.6–0.65 × long as propodus, with one big spine and 4–5 small spines inner margin. Merus 1.6–1.7 × carpus length. Merus with 2 large spines on posterior margin. Ischium bearing 1 large spine on posterior margin.

Fifth pereiopod ( Fig. 33e, f ): dactylus 4.5–5 × long as broad with 50–60 spines arranged in comb-like fashion on inner margin. Propodus 10–11 × long as broad and 3.3–3.9 × long as dactylus with 15–20 spines along inner margin. Carpus 0.55–0.6 × propodus length and with 1 large spine and 4–5 small spines along inner margin. Merus 1.4–1.6 × carpus length, with 2 large spines at posterior margin.

Setobranchs: 4 on all pereiopods.

First pleopod of male ( Fig. 33g, h ): endopod 0.39 × exopod. Small projection present at anterior margin of endopod and appendix interna absent. Several stalked plumose processes arranged along entire margin.

First female pleopod ( Fig. 33i ): endopod 0.79 × long as exopod.

Eggs ( Fig. 33j ) 75; 1.05–1.1 × 0.65–0.7mm in size.

Second male pleopod ( Fig. 33k, l ): apendix masculina 1.6 × appendix interna. 0.24 × endopod. Several stalked spines along posterior margin.

Sixth abdominal somite carapace: 0.5–0.6 × long as carapace.

Telson ( Fig. 33m, n ): 1–1.1 × long as sixth abdominal somite. 5–7 pairs of dorsal spines (including sub terminal spine). Posterior margin triangular, ending in median process, with pair of longer lateral spines and 1 or 2 pairs of inner spines shorter than lateral pair. Spines sparsely plumose.

Uropod ( Fig. 33o ): 11–14 diaeresis spinules.

Preanal carina ( Fig. 33p ): unarmed.

Remarks. Caridina susuroflabra sp. nov. is distinguished by the short rostrum with 0–1 post-orbital teeth and a fewer number of teeth on the dorsal margin being arranged proximally leaving a distinct distal unarmed margin. The teeth on ventral rostral margin are arranged distally, tip acute, bifid or trifid. Caridina susuroflabra sp. nov. is closer to C. africana in possesing the short spines at the posterior margin of the telson. However, C. susuroflabra sp. nov. differs by its shorter rostrum and the arrangement of teeth distally on the ventral margin of the rostrum. It is distinctly different from C. togoensis in possessing short spines at the posterior margin of the telson.

Etymology. The specific name, susuroflabra , is derived from the Latin meaning whispering breezes, alluding to Eshowe, the collection site of the species. Eshowe, the oldest town in Zululand, is situated around the Dlinza indigenous forest, and derives its name from the tranquil, whispering breezes blowing through the trees.

Figures

FIGURE 32. Caridina susuroflabra sp. nov., SAM A 10661, ♀: a) Entire; b) Anterior region of cephalothorax. ♀, ovig.: c) Anterior region of cephalothorax. ♀: d) Anterior region of cephalothorax. e) Antennular peduncle.

FIGURE 33. Caridina susuroflabra sp. nov., SAM A 10661, ♀: a) First pereiopod; b) Second pereiopod; c) Third pereiopod; d) Dactylus of third pereiopod; e) Fifth pereiopod; f) Dactylus of fifth pereiopod. ♂: g) First pleopod; h) Endopod of first pleopod. ♀ ovig.: i) First pleopod j) Egg. ♂: k) Second pleopod; l) Appendix masculina; m) Telson; n) Posterior margin of telson; o) Uropod diaeresis spinules; p) Preanal carina.