Birubius kingae, Taylor, 2009

Taylor, Joanne, 2009, Phoxocephalidae *, Zootaxa 2260 (1), pp. 800-827 : 810

Birubius kingae sp. nov.

( Figs 7 , 8 )

Type material. Holotype female, 4.0 mm, AM P77841, Lizard Island (14°40’S 145°28’E), light trap at night in 3 m of water over reef flat, 3 m, Smith & Marshall, September 1976 ( QLD 2015 ) . Paratypes: 15 females, 2.5 mm –4.0 mm AM P77842, same station data .

Type locality. Lizard Island , Queensland, Australia .

Etymology. Named for crustacean taxonomist Dr Rachael King who assisted in the sorting and initial identification of the material collected at the workshop held in Lizard Island.

Description. Based on holotype female.

Head. Rostrum constricted; eyes present (red pigmented in preserved specimens). Antenna 1 peduncle article 2 with ventral setae situated proximal to midpoint. Antenna 2 peduncle article 4 facial robust setae not in a single row, dorsal setae present; article 5 midfacial robust setae present as a single set of 2; flagellum multiarticulate. Mandible palp article 2 without outer setae; molar simple, form D; right molar with 4 spines, without disjunct spines, right incisor with 3 teeth, right lacinia mobilis simple, with right raker row of 9 teeth. Maxilla 1 inner plate with 3 setae; outer plate without an especially thickened robust seta. Maxilliped inner plate with 1 large thin-thick apical robust seta; outer plates, inner margin with well developed setae.

Pereon. Coxae, long ventral setae present on coxae 1–3 but absent from coxa 4, main ventral setae of coxae 1–4 = 5–5–6–0. Coxa 1 expanded distally. Gnathopods similar. Gnathopod 1 palms oblique. Pereopods 3–4, carpus with 1 posteroproximal robust setae, propodus slender setae absent. Pereopod 5 basis of broad form, not tapering distally, without facial ridge. Pereopod 6 basis without facial ridge. Pereopod 7 basis with few or no long ventral setae, with 2 facial ridges.

Pleon. Epimeron 1 anteroventral margin with 3 setae, posteroventral face without setae. Epimeron 2 with 7 facial setae, crowded anteriorly. Epimeron 3 with fully facial setae arranged in oblique row, posterior setae absent, with 2 ventral setae. Uropod 1, peduncle basofacial setae absent, without major displaced robust setae, with 1 apicolateral spine; inner ramus with 2 dorsal spines, without subapical accessory robust seta; outer ramus not continuously spinose to apex. Uropods 1–2 rami with well developed apical nails. Uropod 3 outer ramus article 2 with 2 apical setae.

Habitat. Collected in light traps at night in 3 m depth.

Remarks. This new species of Birubius can be diagnosed from all other species of the genus by the combination of the following traits; right lacinia mobilis simple, coxa 1 expanded distally with 5 long ventral setae; pereopods 3–4 carpus with 1 posteroproximal robust setae, epimeron 3 with facial and ventral setae, absence of basofacial setae on uropod 1.

Distribution. Australia. Queensland: Lizard Island (current study).

Figures

FIGURE 7. Birubius kingae sp. nov., holotype, female, 4.0 mm, AM P77841, Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef.

FIGURE 8. Birubius kingae sp. nov., holotype, female, 4.0 mm, AM P77841, Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef.