Pagurellus jenniferae, Lemaitre & Felder & Poupin, 2017

Lemaitre, Rafael, Felder, Darryl L. & Poupin, Joseph, 2017, Discovery of a new micro-pagurid fauna (Crustacea: Decapoda: Paguridae) in the Lesser Antilles, Caribbean Sea, Zoosystema 39 (2), pp. 151-195 : 166-170

Pagurellus jenniferae n. sp.

( Figs 9-12 ; Table 1)

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype. 1 ♂ 1.3 mm, Curaçao, CURASUB 15-06, 246.5 m, in gastropod shell inside bottle, USNM 1267546 . Paratypes. Curaçao: 1 ovig ♀ 0.9 mm (missing chelipeds), ARMS 14, 224 m, 15.IX.2015, BCURA 0670 , USNM 1291918 ; 1 ovig ♀ 1.0 mm, ARMS 14 , [same sta data], BCURA 0704 , USNM 1297462 ; 1 ♂ 1.5 mm, ARMS 14 , [same sta data], BCURA 0669 , USNM 1297636 ( ULLZ 16891 ) ; 1 ovig ♀ 0.9, ARMS 14 , [same sta data], BCURA 0671 , USNM 1291920 ; 1 ovig ♀ 1.3 mm, ARMS 14 , [same sta data], BCURA 0672 , USNM 1291922 ; 1 ovig ♀, 0.7 mm, ARMS 17, 224 m, 15.IX.2015, BCURA 0966 , MNHN-IU-2013-5564 (ex USNM 1297507 ) ; 1 ovig ♀ 1.1 mm, ARMS 17 , [same depth, date], BCURA 0951 , MNHN-IU-2013-5565 (ex USNM 1297511 ) ; 1 ♂ 1.0 mm, BCURA ARMS 17 , [same sta data], BCURA 0964 , MNHN-IU-2013-5566 (ex USNM 1297505 ) ; 1♂ 0.7 mm, ARMS 17 , [same sta data], BCURA 0960 , USNM 1297501 ; 1 ♀ 0.9 mm, ARMS 22, 224 m, 15.IX.2015, BCURA 1500 , USNM 1297446 ( ULLZ 16923 ) ; 1 ovig ♀ (damaged, incomplete), ARMS 22 , [same sta data], BCURA 1501 , USNM 1291921 .

ETYMOLOGY. — The specific name is designated for Jennifer M. Felder, who has provided us dedicated field and lab assistance on a number of cruises and expeditions over the last decade. Her sharp eye during Curaçao-based DROP and ARMS sampling called our attention to numerous very small paguroid specimens, including a number of those treated in the present paper.

DISTRIBUTION. — So far known only from Curaçao, where it was discovered living in ARMS and inside an empty glass bottle. Depth: 224-246.5 m.

HABITAT. — Found living in gastropod shells.

DESCRIPTION

Shield ( Fig. 9 )

Glabrous, about as long as broad; anterior margin between rostrum and lateral projections concave; anterolateral margins sloping; posterior margin roundly truncate. Rostrum broadly rounded, subtriangular, reaching distally to about same level of lateral projections. Lateral projections subtriangular, terminating in small sharp spine, mesial margin rounded and somewhat produced anteriorly as shoulder.

Ocular peduncles

Relatively short and stout, about 0.7 length of shield; dorsal surfaces naked except for median tuft of short setae; corneas weakly dilated. Ocular acicles subtriangular, dorsal surface flat; terminating in bifid spine.

Antennular peduncles

Exceeding distal margins of cornea when fully extended by about 0.5 length of ultimate segment. Ultimate segment naked except for one long dorsodistal seta. Penultimate and basal segments naked; basal segment with blunt ventromesial distal angle, and small spine on lateral face.

Antennal peduncles

Exceeding distal margins of corneas when fully extended by about 0.3 length of fifth segment. Fifth and fourth segments unarmed except for scattered short setae. Third segment with strong spine on ventrodistal angle. Second segment with dorsolateral distal angle produced into spine-like process; dorsomesial distal angle with small spine. First segment unarmed. Antennal acicle reaching to about proximal margin of cornea, broadly curving outward, terminating in strong spine, mesial margin with few short setae. Flagellum slightly exceeding distal margin of right cheliped when extended, with setae <1-2 flagellar articles in length.

Mouthparts

Mandible, maxillule, and maxilla not dissected. First maxilliped with slender endopod not exceeding distal endite. Second maxilliped without distinguishing characters. Third maxilliped ischium with crista dentata consisting of about 14 small, subequal teeth, and small accessory tooth.

Right cheliped ( Fig. 10 A-C)

Chelipeds unequal, right distinctly longer and stronger than left. Right cheliped moderately elongated, with sparse setae or tufts of setae. Chela about twice as long as broad, dactyl and fixed finger each terminating in small corneous claw slightly overlapping when closed. Dactyl about 0.7 times as long as palm, unarmed dorsally and ventrally; dorsolateral margin defined by weak rounded ridge; dorsal surface with moderately raised longitudinal median ridge; cutting edge with three large, rounded calcareous teeth, and row of fused small teeth distally. Fixed finger with scattered small spines dorsoproximally; dorsal surface with moderately raised longitudinal median ridge; dorsolateral margin well defined by often sharp ridge continued for half or more of palm; cutting edge with one large rounded calcareous tooth medially, and row of minute, fused corneous teeth distally. Palm approximately as long as carpus, dorsally convex; dorsal surface with small, well-spaced spines distally, dorsomesial row of small spines, and two or three spines proximally; ventral surface convex, unarmed except for scattered short setae. Carpus about as long as merus; dorsal surface weakly convex, with few scattered small spines; dorsodistal margin unarmed; dorsomesial margin with row of five spines; lateral face rounded, with few scattered small, blunt spines; mesial face flat, nearly vertical; ventral surface convex. Merus subtriangular, distal margin with few short setae; ventrolateral and ventromesial margins with row of minute spines. Ischium unarmed. Coxa with row of setae on ventromesial distal angle.

Left cheliped ( Fig. 10 D-F)

Moderately slender, sparsely setose; dactyl and fixed finger each terminating in sharp corneous claw slightly overlapping when closed, cutting edges consisting of fused row of minute corneous teeth. Dactyl about 1.4 times as long as palm; dorsal and ventral surfaces rounded. Palm dorsal surface with raised longitudinal median ridge usually armed with single row of small spines continued on fixed finger (occasionally with double row of small spines proximally); ventral surface convex, smooth. Carpus about 1.3 times as long as merus; dorsodistal margin with small spine mesially, dorsomesial and dorsolateral margins each with row of few small spines, dorsolateral surface with scattered small spines or tubercles; ventral surface convex, smooth except for sparse setae. Merus unarmed, nearly naked; ventrolateral and ventromesial margins each with row of spines.

Ambulatory legs ( Fig. 11 A-D)

Sparsely setose. Dactyl about 1.3 times as long as propodus, broadly curved, terminating in sharp corneous claw, ventromesial margin with row of 6-10 corneous spinules (more numerous in larger specimens sl ≥ 1.0 mm) arranged in small acute angles. Propodus nearly straight, about 1.3 times as long as carpus, lacking spines except for slender corneous spinule on ventrodistal angle. Carpus with dorsodistal angle blunt (pereopod 2) or with small spines (pereopod 3), otherwise unarmed. Merus and ischium unarmed, somewhat laterally compressed. Anterior lobe of sternite XI (of pereopods 3; Fig. 9C ) subsemicircular, with fringe of short setae on distal margin.

Fourth pereopods ( Fig. 9B )

Semichelate. Dactyl nearly straight, slender, terminating in short, inwardly directed corneous claw, lacking preungual process; propodal rasp with single row of rounded corneous scales. Carpus unarmed except for few short setae dorsally. Merus unarmed except for with dorsodistal tuft of long setae.

Fifth pereopods

Chelate. Propodal rasp dorsally extending for about half surface of propodus.

Uropods and telson ( Fig. 9D )

Uropods markedly asymmetrical, left largest, exopods each with row of long bristles dorsodistally. Telson nearly symmetrical, longer than broad, with distinct lateral indentations. Anterior lobes slightly longer than posterior lobes. Posterior lobes nearly symmetrical, separated by narrow, V-shaped median cleft; terminal margins oblique, each armed with row of small spines and strong bifid, ventrolaterally curved spine on posterodistal angle.

Sexual tubes ( Fig. 9C ) and pleopods

Males with unequal sexual tubes on coxae of pereopods 5 ( Fig. 9C ), distally filamentous and often transparent; left tube long, stronger and longer than right, curving laterally and a bit dorsally, coiled distally; right tube short to medium in length, straight, directed obliquely inward; with unpaired left pleopods 3-5. Females with paired gonopores unpaired left pleopods 2-5 (only 2-4 ovigerous), carrying about 20 relatively large eggs about 0.6 in maximum width.

Genetic sequence data

See Table 1.

Colour ( Fig.12 )

Shield dorsal surface white with light red spots laterally; ocular acicles and second segment of antennal peduncles each with reddish spot on dorsal surface; ocular peduncles with very light reddish band distally, otherwise semi-transparent white. Chelipeds with chelae and carpi very light orange; meri each with short light reddish band or ovate spot distally on dorsolateral and dorsomesial mesial faces. Pereopods 2 and 3 dactyls with two light orange bands (one subdistal, one proximal); propodi each with red band dorsomedially; carpi light orange with whitish dorsal margin; meri with red spot dorsodistally and light orange band medially.

REMARKS

The first specimen of this new species was discovered living inside a discarded glass bottle containing numerous minute gastropod shells. Subsequently several additional specimens were collected in ARMS, where the species seems to find a suitable environment.

Figures

FIG. 9. — Pagurellus jenniferae n. gen., n. sp., holotype ♂ 1.3 mm, Curaçao, CURASUB 15-06, USNM 1267546:A, shield and cephalic appendages, dorsal view; B, propodus and dactyl of left fourth pereopod,lateral view; C, sternites IX-XIII, coxae of chelipeds and pereopods 2-5, and sexual tubes, ventral view; D, telson, dorsal view. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

FIG. 10. — Pagurellus jenniferae n. gen., n. sp., holotype ♂ 1.3 mm, Curaçao, CURASUB 15-06, USNM 1267546: A-C, right cheliped, dorsal view (A), lateral view (B), mesial view (C); D-F, left cheliped, dorsal view (D), lateral view (E), mesial view (F). Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

FIG. 11. — Pagurellus jenniferae n. gen., n. sp. A, B, holotype ♂ 1.3 mm, Curaçao, CURASUB 15-06, USNM 1267546; C, D, paratype ♂ 1.5 mm, Curaçao, ARM 14, USNM 1297636: A, left pereopod 2, lateral view; B, left pereopod 3, lateral view; C, dactyl of right pereopod 2, mesial view; D, dactyl of pereopod 3, mesial view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

FIG. 12. — Pagurellus jenniferae n. gen., n. sp., Curaçao: A, B, ♂ 1.5 mm, ARMS 14, USNM 1297636 (ULLZ 16891), dorsal (A) and posterolateral (B) views; C, ♀ (in shell) 0.9 mm, ARMS 22, USNM 1297446 (ULLZ 16922), dorsal view; D, ovig ♀ 0.9 mm, USNM 1291918 (ULLZ 16891), right lateral view.