Caridina novaecaledoniae J. Roux, 1926 .

(Fig. 16)

Caridina novaecaledoniae J. Roux 1926a: 214, figs. 40–46.

Material examined. Types. New Caledonia. Tchalabel, coll. F. Sarasin & J. Roux, 3.5.1911, NMB reg. 746a, 20♂, 13♀. The word “typen” was written on the label of these specimens. 1♂ is here selected as a Lectotype and the remaining 19♂, 13♀ are given Paralectotype status. Tchalabel, coll. F. Sarasin & J. Roux, 3.5.1911, AM reg. P.7881, 2♂, are here given Paralectotype status. Tchalabel, coll. F. Sarasin & J. Roux, 3.5.1911, AM reg. P.7881, 1♂, 1♀, previously cotypes, are here given Paralectotype status.

Non type. New Caledonia. ZW Diahot–Col poraris, coll. F. Sarasin & J. Roux, 6.5.1911, NMB reg. 746b: 18♂, 19♀; Grand Terre, River Tiwaka, coll. G. Marquet, 7.10.96, det. G. Marquet, MNHN reg. Na-17373, 2♂, 1♀ ovig., 1 juv.

Description. From the type material. Adult size 12–20 mm. Carapace length 2.5–3.5 mm.

Rostrum (Fig.16 a, b): Mostly reaching 1/3 of second segment of antennular peduncle or shorter reaching end of the eye. 1.0– 2.45 mm long. 7–20 teeth on dorsal margin mostly compactly up to the tip, rarely with a short unarmed end distally, mostly 1–3 post orbital teeth present, rarely post orbital teeth absent, tip pointed, 0–5 teeth on ventral margin mostly up to the tip or with a short unarmed end. Teeth on dorsal and ventral margin are mostly minute. Formula (0–3) 7–20/0–5.

Antennular peduncle (Fig. 16 a, b): 0.7–0.8×carapace. Stylocerite 0.6–0.75×length of basal segment. Anterolateral teeth of basal segment 0.1–0.20×second segment. 7–15 segments bearing aesthetascs.

First pereiopod (Fig. 16 c): Dactylus 1.3–1.7×palm of propodus. Chela 2.0–2.4×long as broad. Carpus1.9–2.5×long as broad with anterior excavation.

Second pereiopod (Fig. 16 d): Dactylus 1.4–1.7×long as palm of propodus. Chela 2.5–3.0×long as broad. Carpus 4.5–5.5×long as broad.

Third pereiopod (Fig. 16 e, f): Dactylus 2.5–3.0×long as broad. 5–7 spines on dactylus (including terminal spine). Propodus 4.0–5.0×long as dactylus and 10–12×long as broad with 9–12 spines arranged along inner margin. Carpus 0.6–0.7×long as propodus with 2–3 minute spines on inner margin. Merus 1.5–1.7×carpus length. Merus with 3 spines on posterior margin.

Fifth pereiopod (Fig. 16 g, h): Dactylus 3.4–4.5×long as broad with 55–65 spines in comb-like fashion on inner margin. Propodus 12–15×long as broad and 4.0–4.5×long as dactylus and with 12–16 spines along posterior margin. Carpus 0.45–0.6×propodus length and with 3–4 minute spines along inner margin. Merus 1.5–1.9×carpus length, with 2 large spines at posterior margin.

Setobranchs: 2 setae on all pereiopods.

First male pleopod (Fig. 16 i, j): endopod 0.20–0.35×exopod length. Appendix interna absent in all but one male where a distinct appendix interna present (NHM Basel, 746b, 1♂). Several long setae present along the entire margin.

First female pleopod: endopod 0.45–0.70×exopod length.

Eggs: ca. 43 eggs of 0.9–1.01× 0.5–0.58 mm size.

Second male pleopod (Fig.16 k, l): Appendix masculina 1.6–2.0×appendix interna and 0.25–0.3×endopod.

6th abdominal somite: 0.6–0.7×long as carapace.

Telson (Fig. 16 m, n): Broad, 1–1.1×long as 6th abdominal somite. Dorsal spines 4–5 pairs (including subterminal spine). Posterior margin rounded with or without median process, bearing 1 pair of lateral spines and 2–3 pairs or 5 sparsely plumose spines that are almost equal in length or the median ones fractionally longer than the lateral spines.

Uropod (Fig.16 o): 10–17 diaeresis spinules.

Preanal carina (Fig. 16 p): Unarmed.

Distribution. New Caledonia.

Type locality. Tchalabel, New Caledonia.

Remarks. Jean Roux (1926a) described C. novaecaledoniae with specimens collected from four localities in New Caledonia. The specimens from the type locality, Tchalabel, were examined in the present study. As rightly pointed out by J. Roux (1926a), the length of the rostrum exhibited notable variation, mostly reaching 1/3 of second segment of antennular peduncle or shorter reaching the end of the eyeball. 7–20 teeth on dorsal margin mostly compactly up to the tip, rarely with a short unarmed end distally; mostly 1–3 post orbital teeth present, rarely post orbital teeth absent; rostral tip pointed, 0–5 teeth on ventral margin mostly up to the tip or with a short unarmed end; rostral formula (0–3) 7–20/0–5. Posterior margin rounded with or without median process, bearing 1 pair of lateral spines and 2–3 pairs or 5 sparsely plumose spines that are almost equal in length or the median ones fractionally longer than the lateral spines. 10–17 uropod diaeresis spinules present in non type ovigerous female from Grand Terre, River Tiwaka bears 43 eggs of 0.9–1.01× 0.5–0.58 mm size.