Graciliphotis ruthae, Myers, 2009

Myers, Alan A., 2009, Photidae *, Zootaxa 2260 (1), pp. 771-799 : 774-777

Graciliphotis ruthae sp. nov.

( Figs 3 , 4 )

Type material. Holotype, male, 2.0 mm, AM P75461, Yonge Reef, Half Mile Opening (14°34’19”S 145°36’51”E), Halimeda opuntia (green coralline alga), 10 m, I. Takeuchi, R. T. Springthorpe & O. Coleman, 5 March 2005 ( QLD 1829 ) . Paratypes: 3 females, AM P75462, same data as holotype .

Type locality. Yonge Reef , Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia (14°34’19”S 145°36’51”E) .

Etymology. Named for Dr Ruth M. O’Riordan, in recognition of her work on the ecology of chthamalid barnacles.

Description. Based on holotype, male, 2.0 mm, AM P75461 and paratype female 2.0 mm, AM P75462.

Head. Head anteroventral margin strongly recessed, extending behind posterior margin of eye. Eye round, large, more than one quarter length of head length, situated entirely within the lateral lobe of the head. Mandible palp article 3 distinctly shorter than article 2, spatulate, widest subdistally. Antenna 1 peduncular article 1 shorter than article 3; flagellum with 6 articles; accessory flagellum vestigial. Antenna 2 longer than half body length, flagellum distinctly longer than peduncular article 5 with 8 articles.

Pereon. Coxae 1-5 as broad or broader than long, sparsely fringed with setae; coxa 1 not produced forward. Gnathopod 1 carpus longer than propodus; propodus 1.5 x as long as wide, posterodistal margin evenly rounded. Gnathopod 2 basis anterior margin with a few short setae; carpus without distinct free posterior expansion; propodus only a littler longer than carpus, posterodistal margin with robust seta, palm evenly convex, with no excavations; dactylus long, distinctly longer than half length of propodus. Pereopod 3 merus with a few long setae on anterior margin; propodus less than 4 x as long as broad. Pereopod 5 basis extremely expanded, as long as broad; with few setae on anterior margin; dactylus with accessory spine on anterior margin. Pereopod 6 dactylus with vestigial accessory spine on anterior margin. Pereopod 7 dactylus lacking accessory spine on anterior margin.

Pleon. Epimeron 3 posterodistal margin rounded. Uropod 1 peduncle without distoventral spine; rami subequal in length. Uropod 2 peduncle without distoventral spine; rami subequal in length. Uropod 3 peduncle short and stout, distinctly longer than the outer ramus; inner ramus vestigial; outer ramus with terminal robust setae. Telson with terminal robust seta on each side.

Female. Not sexually dimorphic.

Habitat. Among Halimeda opuntia .

Remarks. See remarks section under genus.

Distribution. Australia. Queensland: Yonge reef, Lizard Island (current study).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Graciliphotis ruthae gen. nov., sp. nov., holotype, male, 2.0 mm, AM P71483, Yonge Reef, Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef.

FIGURE 4. Graciliphotis ruthae gen. nov., sp. nov., male, 2.0 mm, paratype female, 2.0 mm, AM P71483, Yonge Reef, Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef.