Key to species of the genus Opaepele
1. Rostrum unarmed dorsally ............................................................................................................... Opaepele susannae
– Rostrum armed with dorsal teeth or dorsally notched .................................................................................................. 2
2. Rostrum armed with acute teeth. Ischia and meri of pereopods II–V unarmed ..................................... Opaepele loihi
– Rostrum dorsally notched. Posterior margin of telson concave /straight. Ischia of pereopods III–IV and merus of pereopod III armed with spines ............................................................................................. Opaepele vavilovi sp. nov.