Leptanthura maheensis, Kensley & Schotte, 2000

Kensley, B. & Schotte, M., 2000, New species and records of anthuridean isopod crustaceans from the Indian Ocean, Journal of Natural History 34, pp. 2057-2121 : 2108-2111

Leptanthura maheensis sp. nov.

( Figures 35, 36)

Type material. HOLOTYPE: USNM 253154 , one ovigerous m 6.5 mm, sta K-SEY-3, rubble and low algal turf, south of Reef Crest Hotel , Mahe Is., 1 m, 29 April 1984 . PARATYPES: USNM 253155 , two ovigerous m 6.3 mm, one nonovigerous m 6.5 mm, 20 juveniles, same data as holotype . USNM 253156 , three ovigerous m 6.0± 6.3 mm, six juveniles, sta K-SEY-1, red coralline algae on boulders, south of Reef Crest Hotel , Mahe Is., 0.5±1 m, 29 April 1984 .

Other material examined. USNM 253157 , two ovigerous m, ten non-ovigerous m, from eight stations, rubble and encrusting algal turf, Mahe Is., 0.5±10 m. USNM 253158 , one l(damaged), three non-ovigerou s m, rubble and algae, Aldabra, 6±12 m.

Diagnosis. Female: Telson length slightly more than twice greatest width, latter in posterior half, posterior margin broadly rounded, with small apical notch bearing two pairs of setae. Antennular ¯agellum of three articles, terminal article bearing three aesthetascs. Antennal ¯agellum of four short setose articles. Maxillipedal palp of three articles, two distal ones tiny. Pereopod 1, carpus triangular, bearing two sensory setae posterodistally; propodus expanded, palm straight with slight proximal triangular lobe, bearing eight spinulose setae. Pereopod 2, carpus with two setae; propodus with seven spinulose setae on palm, proximalmost largest. Pereopod 3, carpus with two setae; propodus barely expanded, palm bearing three robust setae. Posterior pereopods, carpus triangular, lacking free anterior margin; propodus about three times longer than greatest width, with two setae on posterior margin. Pleopod 1, endopod with nine plumose marginal setae distally. Uropodal exopod subcircular, with distinct notch in lateral margin; endopod roughly triangular, 1.5 times longer than basal width, apex setose, narrowly rounded.

Male: (Single damaged specimen available). Antennular ¯agellum of eight articles bearing dense whorls of aesthetascs. Pereopod 1, propodal palm straight, with irregular band of setae on mesial surface.

Remarks. Leptanthura maheensis belongs to the group of species of Leptanthura having broad subcircular uropodal exopods. In this group, it is most similar to L. coralliophila MuÈller, 1992b , from Malaysia, especially in the shape of the telson, but diOEers in lacking the distinct notch in the uropodal exopod, in having a narrower uropodal endopod and fewer spinulose setae on the propodal palm of pereopod 1. Leptanthura maheensis is a smaller species than L. laevigata , has a uropodal endopod more narrowly triangular and has fewer propodal palmar spinulose setae (eight) than in L. laevigata (ten) on pereopod 1. Leptanthura thalassae Negoescu, 1980 , from the Gulf of Aden, although having a broad, subcircular, notched uropodal exopod, has a telson lacking an apical notch and does not widen posteriorly, as is the case in L. maheensis . Leptanthura X indersi Poore, 1981, from Tasmania, bears some resemblance to the present species, especially in the shape of the telson and uropods, but has fewer palmar spinulose setae on the propodus of pereopods 1 to 3.

FIG. 36. Leptanthura maheensis sp. nov.: (A) lpereopod 1.; (B) m pereopod 1; (C) pereopod 2; (D) pereopod 3; (E) pereopod 7.

Etymology. The speci®c name derives from the type locality, Mahe Island,

Republic of Seychelles.