Mesokalliapseudes quadriflagellata Drumm and Morales-Núñes, 2010

DRUMM, DAVID T. & HEARD, RICHARD W., 2011, Systematic revision of the family Kalliapseudidae (Crustacea: Tanaidacea), Zootaxa 3142 (1), pp. 1-172 : 141

Mesokalliapseudes quadriflagellata Drumm and Morales-Núñes, 2010

( Fig. 93 )

Material examined. Holotype ( USNM 1148172 ), allotype ( USNM 1148173 ) and paratypes ( USNM 1148174- 1148178 ).

Diagnosis (adult female). Rostrum round. Pereonites lacking anterolateral aphophyses. Pleotelson broader than long. Inner flagellum of antennule with four articles; first peduncle article approximately 3.5 times as long as broad. Third article of antenna without distinctive spinulate process. Mandibular palp terminus with plumose seta. Fixed finger of cheliped more than two–thirds length of dactylus. Pereopod 6 propodus with four outer serrate spiniform setae; dactylus with one subterminal seta. Last article of uropod exopodite approximately 1.5 times as long as second article. Hyposphaenia absent.

Geographic distribution. Known from Puerto Rico only, 9.4 m depth (Fig. 1, number 39).

Remarks. Mesokalliapseudes quadriflagellata can be distinguished from its other congeners by the following combination of characteristics: 1) fixed finger of dactylus more than two–thirds the length of the dactylus ( Fig. 93B ), and 2) inner flagellum of antennule with 4 articles ( Fig. 93C ). The only other congener that has the fixed finger of the dactylus being more than two–thirds the length of the dactylus is M. crassus , but this species has a pointed rostrum, a more robust first peduncular article of the antennule, the antenna being more setose and with a distinct spinulate process on the third peduncular article, and the pereopod 6 being more setose and spinose. Mesokalliapseudes quadriflagellata is unique in having an inner flagellum of the antennule with 4 articles (all other congeners have 3 articles).

Figures

FIGURE 93. Mesokalliapseudes quadriflagellata, female with oostegites. A, dorsal view of body; B, chela; C, antennule.