Galathea polydora, Macpherson, Enrique & Robainas-Barcia, Aymee, 2015

Macpherson, Enrique & Robainas-Barcia, Aymee, 2015, Species of the genus Galathea Fabricius, 1793 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Galatheidae) from the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with descriptions of 92 new species, Zootaxa 3913 (1), pp. 1-335 : 241-246

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.3913.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:18D06EC6-A61D-4C45-9B5E-52435903556D
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5136113
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03B3F979-FF03-42D3-FF6D-F91F0633E961
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Galathea polydora
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Galathea polydora View in CoL n. sp.

( Figs 87 View FIGURE 87 , 119 View FIGURE 119 F, G)

Galathea subsquamata View in CoL .— Baba, 1979b: 645 (Marsegu Island, Indonesia, subtidal) (not G. subsquamata Stmpson, 1858 View in CoL ) Galathea View in CoL sp.— Poore et al., 2011: 334, pl. 12G (color photo, Vanuatu).

Material examined. Holotype: New Caledonia. St. Marie Bay, 14 m, 4 January 1993: M 3.4 mm (MNHN-IU- 2013-13377).

Paratypes: Indonesia. Moluccas. Ternate, Aru Island, 12 m, 22 March 1908: 1 M 3.4 mm ( SMF 4605). NE of Marsegu Island, 18 January 1975, on coral: 1 F 3.2 mm (MNHN-Ga1155).

Vanuatu. SANTO, Stn FR01, 15°32.3'S, 167°13.1'E, 18–20 m, 10 Septermber 2006: 1 ov. F 3.0 mm (MNHN- IU-2013-13474).—Stn DS4, 15°31.4'S, 167°14.1'E, 25 m, 11 September 2006: 1 F 1.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13472).—Stn DS6Light, 15°30.9'S, 167°11.1'E, 8–15 m, 11 September 2006: 5 M 1.9–2.5 mm, 2 F 1.5–1.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13471).—Stn FR2-HH1, 15°33.3'S, 167°08.8'E, 1–25 m, 11 September 2006: 1 M 2.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13465).—Stn FR5, 15°33.8'S, 167°12.8'E, 6–25 m, 12 September 2006: 2 M 2.1–3.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13478).—Stn DB12, 15°36.6'S, 167°10.1'E, 10–18 m, 13 September 2006: 20 M 2.4–3.0 mm, 19 ov. F 2.1–2.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13461); 1 M 2.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13412).—Stn H, no depth, 17 September 2006: 2 M 2.0– 2.2 mm, 2 ov. F 1.5–2.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13464); 1 ov. F 2.0 mm (MNHN-IU- 2013-13460).—Stn FR20, 15°33.1'S, 167°12.4'E, 3–52 m, 19 September 2006: 4 M 1.9–2.7 mm, 3 ov. F 2.0– 2.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13469); 1 M 3.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13448); 1 ov. F 2.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13449).—Stn LD1, 15°29'S, 167°14.9'E, 2–4 m, 19 September 2006: 1 M 2.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13463).—Stn DS49, 15°38.7'S, 167°05.2'E, 10–17 m, 21 September 2006: 2 M 2.0– 2.4 mm, 2 ov. F 2.4–3.0 mm (MNHN-IU- 2013-13450).—Stn DB69, 15°24.4'S, 167°13.0'E, 38 m, 27 September 2006: 1 M 2.6 mm, 1 ov. F 2.2 mm, 2 F 1.6–2.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13455).—Stn DB75, 15°22.9'S, 167°11.9'E, 20 m, 28 September 2006: 13 M 2.0– 2.8 mm, 14 ov. F 2.0– 2.5 mm, 3 F 1.8–1.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13399).—Stn LD8, 15°22.3'S, 167°11.3'E, 2–4 m, 28 September 2006: 1 M 3.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13468).—Stn AT43, 15°36.4'S, 167°02.3'E, 84–105 m, 29 September 2006: 1 F 2.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13451).—Stn FB40, 15°22.9'S, 167°11.7'E, 9 m, 29 September 2006: 1 M 2.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13470).—Stn FB52, 15°42.7'S, 167°15.1'E, 7 m, 5 October 2006: 1 ov. F 2.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13453).—Stn DS91, 15°33.7'S, 167°08.4'E, 7 m, 6 October 2006: 1 M 2.3 mm, 1 ov. F 2.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13452).—Stn FB56, 15°35.2'S, 167°02.1'E, 3–18 m, 7 October 2006: 3 M 1.9–2.8 mm, 2 ov. F 1.8–2.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13467).—Stn ZB16, 15°32.4'S, 167°12.1'E, 5 m, 7 October 2006: 12 M 1.7–3.1 mm, 8 ov. F 2.0– 3.2 mm, 2 F 1.6–1.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13473).—Stn ZB20, 15°36.1'S, 167°05.4'E, 15–20 m, 10 October 2006: 4 M 1.9–2.7 mm, 5 ov. F 2.3–3.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13410).—Stn DB14, 15°30.9'S, 167°11'E, 10–14 m, 13 October 2006: 1 ov. F 2.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13476); 11 M 2.0– 2.8 mm, 11 ov. F 2.1–2.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13411).—Stn FB80, 15°33.1'S, 167°09.6'E, 2 m, 14 October 2006: 1 M 2.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13477).—Stn EP34, 15°33.3'S, 167°12.9'E, 40–60 m, 14 October 2006: 8 M 2.4–3.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13459).—Stn EP37, 15°23.4'S, 167°13.1'E, 50–61 m, 16 October 2006: 1 ov. F 2.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13454).—Stn NR64, 15°31.5'S, 167°14.1'E, 22 m, 18 Octubre 2006: 2 M 2.6–2.7 mm, 2 ov. F 2.4–2.8 mm, 1 F 2.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13475).—Stn ZB36, 15°34.3'S, 167°12.4'E, intertidal, 19 October 2006:1 M 3.3 mm, 6 ov. F 2.6–3.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-9871).

New Caledonia. Chesterfield Islands, CHALCAL 84, Stn D42, 20°38.00'S, 158°43.10'E, 67 m, 23 July 1984: 1 ov. F 3.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13406). New Caledonia. Stn 92, 22°26.6'S, 166°36.9'E, 24 m, August 1984: 2 M 3.0– 3.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-9874).—Stn 99, 22°32.6'S, 166°34.6'E, 14 m, August 1984: 1 ov. F 3.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13395).—Stn 121, 22°28'S, 166°43.1'E, 12 m, August 1984: 1 M 3.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13407).— 180 m, 30 June 1992: 2 ov. F 3.2–3.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13458).— 10–11 m, 14 April 1993: 4 M 3.6–5.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13457); 1 M 4.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13456).—Stn 82, 22°30.1'S, 166°28.5'E, 10.5 m, 14 November 1995: 1 M 1.6 mm, 2 ov. F 3.6–3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-9872).— 22°19.35'S, 166°25.85'E, 20 m, 10 November 1995: 2 M 2.5–2.6 mm, 2 ov. F 2.7–3.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13423). Croissant Reef, 9 m, 29 September 1978: 8 M 2.5–3.4 mm, 3 ov. F 3.0– 3.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13481).— 20 m, 18 April 1994: 1 M 2.9 mm, 2 F 1.9–2.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13484). Lagon, 21 m, 21 April 1978: 1 M 3.1 mm, 1 ov. F 3.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13486).— 4 October 1978: 2 M 3.2–3.8 mm, 2 ov. F 3.1–3.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13492). Lagon East, Stn 648, 21°52.8'S, 166°35.2'E, 22–25 m, August 1986: 1 M 3.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13447); 1 M 3.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13446).—Stn 663, 21°42.2'S, 166°30.5'E, 38–40 m, August 1986: 1 M 4.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13427).—Stn 664, 21°43.9'S, 166°29.4'E, 28–30 m, August 1986: 1 M 2.5 mm (MNHN-IU- 2013-13440).—Stn 669, 21°40.5'S, 166°26.2'E, 30–40 m, August 1986: 1 M 3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 9875).—Stn 677, 21°36.8'S, 166°21.6'E, 32 m, August 1986: 1 M 3.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13443).—Stn 692, 21°32'S, 166°12.3'E, 44–48 m, August 1986: 1 M 4.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13433).—Stn 693, 21°30.3'S, 166°13.4'E, 35–38 m, August 1986: 1 M 4.5 mm, 1 ov. F 4.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13417).—Stn 698, 21°29.3'S, 166°08.7'E, 40–43 m, August 1986: 1 M 3.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13445).—Stn 713, 21°22.6'S, 166°00.7'E, 34–35 m, August 1986: 1 M 2.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13428).—Stn 731, 21°17.2'S, 165°52'E, 37–42 m, August 1986: 1 M 3.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13432).—Stn 732, 21°18.9'S, 165°50.9'E, 43–50 m, August 1986: 1 M 3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13442).—Stn 807, 20°59.1'S, 165°28.75'E, 55 m, January 1987: 1 M 3.1 mm (MNHN-IU- 2013-13383).—Stn 816, 21°52.6'S, 165°25.4'E, 31 m, 10 January 1987: 1 M 3.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13381).—Stn 846, 20°39.2'S, 165°14.1'E, 15–28 m, 11 January 1987: 1 M 3.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13385).—Stn 853, 20°41.35'S, 165°07.4'E, 27 m, 12 January 1987: 2 M 3.0– 3.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13393).—Stn 860, 20°41.7'S, 165°01.7'E, 22–27 m, 13 January 1987: 1 ov. F 3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13388).—Stn 886, 20°24.15'S, 164°41.25'E, 20 m, 14 January 1987: 2 M 3.2–3.6 mm, 1 ov. F 3.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13390).—Stn 902, 20°13.4'S, 164°19.7'E, 32 m, 14 January 1987: 1 M 3.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13382). Lagon North, Stn DW1063, 20°02.5'S, 163°46.5'E, 31 m, 23 October 1989: 1 M 3.2 mm, 1 ov. F 3.3 mm (MNHN-IU- 2013-13438).—Stn DW1088, 19°45.5'S, 163°57.7'E, 23 m, October–November 1989: 1 M 3.9 mm, 1 ov. F 3.0 mm, 1 F 2.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13435). Lagon NW, Stn DW946, 20°34.8'S, 164°07.8'E, 16–17 m, April 1988: 1 M 3.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13437).—Stn DW947, 20°33.2'S, 164°07.1'E, 17–18 m, April 1988: 1 ov. F 3.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13436).—Stn DW1008, 20°11’S, 163°53.4’E, 27 m, April 1988: 1 ov. F 3.1 mm (MNHN-IU- 2013-13444).—Stn DW1017, 20°07.5'S, 163°51'E, 21 m, 3 April 1988: 1 M 4.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13387).—Stn DW1046, 20°05'S, 164°06.6'E, 6–7 m, May 1988: 1 ov. F 3.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13398). Maitre Island, 5 m, 29 August 1978: 1 M 2.8 mm, 1 ov. F 3.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13480).— 25 m, 5 September 1978: 4 M 2.3–3.9 mm, 2 ov. F 2.0– 2.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13488).— 25 m, 19 September 1978: 4 M 2.2–3.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13487).— 20 m, June 1992: 4 M 3.0– 3.5 mm, 1 ov. F 3.3 mm, 1 F 3.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13485).— 22 m, 28 September 1992: 5 M 3.5–4.4 mm, 4 ov. F 4.1–4.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13419).—Stn 99, 22°19.61'S, 166°24.07'E, 10.5 m, 14 November 1995. 7 M 1.8–3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13426).—Stn 1502, 22°20'S, 166°24.2'E, 4 m, 21 October 2000: 1 ov. F 3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13441). Nou Island, 5–8 m, 12 October 1992: 3 M 3.4–4.0 mm, 1 F 3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13415). Noumea, Stn 34, 22°12.5'S, 166°23.6'S, 10 m, 1 May 1984: 2 M 3.5–3.6 mm, 2 ov. F 3.6–3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13434); 1 M 3.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13379).—Stn 56, 22°10'S, 166°15'E, 11 m, May 1984: 1 M 4.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13391).—Stn 272, 22°11.8'S, 166°23.1'E, 9 m, November 1984: 1 M 5.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13418).—Stn 277, 22°17'S, 166°16'E, 30 m, November 1984: 1 ov. F 3.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13389). Nouville, 18–20 m, 1 April 1993: 9 M 2.3–3.1 mm, 3 ov. F 3.2–3.4 mm, 4 F 2.3–3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13479). Ouen Island, Stn 75, 22°28.2'S, 166°34.5'E, 35 m, August 1984: 1 M 4.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13421).—Stn 77, 22°25.9'S, 166°31.8'E, 22 m, August 1984: 3 M 3.0–4.0 mm, 1 ov. F 3.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13404).—Stn 122, 22°28.1'S, 166°41'E, 28 m, August 1984: 1 ov. F 3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13400).—Stn 145, 22°21.5'S, 166°50.3'E, 15–30 m, August 1984: 1 ov. F 3.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13425). South Reef, Stn 290, 22°38'S, 166°44'E, 35 m, November 1984: 1 M 3.7 mm (MNHN- IU-2013-13380).—Stn 464, 18°21'S, 163°03.1'E, 44 m, February 1985: 3 M 3.0– 3.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13384).—Stn 564, 22°47'S, 166°56'E, 35 m, 16 July 1985: 1 M 3.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13392). St. Marie Bay, 14 m, 4 January 1993: 21 M 3.3–4.0 mm, 19 ov. F 2.6–4.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13378). St. Vincent, Stn 173, 22°08.3'S, 166°07'E, 20–50 m, September 1984: 3 M 3.5–5.4 mm, 2 ov. F 3.9–4.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13439).—Stn 179, 22°01.1'S, 166°04.3'E, 12 m, September 1984: 1 M 3.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13414).—Stn 197, 21°58.5'S, 166°03.4'E, 6 m, September 2000: 1 M 3.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13429).—Stn 206, 21°57.3'S, 165°55.5'E, 8 m, September 1984: 1 M 4.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13493). Surprise Atoll, Stn 455, 18°30'S, 163°08'E, 40 m, 28 February 1985: 1 ov. F 4.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13386). Touho, 20°47'S, 165°13'E, 10 m, 6 September 1993: 1 M 2.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13482).— 30 m, 13 September 1978: 1 ov. F 3.6 mm (MNHN-IU- 2013-13489).— September 1993: 6 M 2.3–2.9 mm, 6 ov. F 2.6–3.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13491).— 20°47'S, 165°13'E, 35 m, 10 October 1993: 1 M 3.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13490); 1 M 2.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13483). Vauban, Stn 1, 22°18'S, 166°24.6'E, 19 m, 22 May 1984: 2 M 3.9–4.7 mm, 3 ov. F 3.3–4.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13394).—Stn 16, 22°20.7'S, 166°37.9'E, 30 m, 23 mayo 1984: 1 M 3.9 mm, 1 ov. F 3.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13413). Surprises Atoll, SURPRISES, Stn CP1376, 18°27.2'S, 163°09.2’E, 39 m, 9 May 1999: 2 M 3.8–3.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13430).—Stn CP1377, 18°27.4’S, 163°10.3’E, 36 m, 9 May 1999: 1 ov. F 2.4–2.8 mm (MNHN- IU-2013-13405).—Stn CP1378, 18°26.3’S, 163°08.2'E, 39 m, 9 May 1999: 1 ov. F 3.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13401).—Stn CP1379, 18°25.2’S, 163°05.0'E, 46 m, 9 May 1999: 1 ov. F 3.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13408).—Stn DW1381, 18°28.5’S, 163°04.0’E, 32–36 m, 9 May 1999: 2 M 3.0– 3.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13422).—Stn DW1382, 18°26.5’S, 163°05.9’E, 41–42 m, 9 May 1999: 1 M 2.4 mm, 1 ov. F 2.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13403).—Stn CP1383, 18°24.0’S, 163°04.0’E, 44–49 m, 9 May 1999: 1 M 2.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-9873).—Stn CP1385, 18°24.9’S, 163°05.8’E, 45 m, 10 May 1999: 1 ov. F 3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13424).—Stn CP1386, 18°35.0’S, 163°06.0’E, 45 m, 10 May 1999: 2 M 2.0– 3.8 mm, 3 ov. F 3.0– 3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13397).—Stn CP1388, 18°23.8’S, 163°06.9’E, 40 m, 11 May 1999: 1 ov. F 3.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13402); 1 M 3.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13431).—Stn DW1394, 18°18.4’S, 163°03.1’E, 36 m, 13 May 1999: 1 M 3.0– 3.2 mm (MNHN- IU-2013-13420).—Stn DW1397, 18°21.9’S, 163°03.9’E, 43 m, 13 May 1999: 4 M 2.4–2.8 mm, 3 ov. F 2.2–2.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13416).

Fiji. SUVA 4, Stn DW7, 18°22.1'S, 178°02.5'E, 28-32 m, 24 September 1999: 2 M 2.0– 2.2 mm (MNHN-IU- 2013-13376).—Stn DW22, 18°27.0'S, 177°58.5'E, 32–36 m, 25 September 1999: 1 M 3.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13375).

Etymology. Polydora (generous giver) is one of the children of Ocean in the Greek mythology. The name is considered as a substantive in apposition.

Description. Carapace: as long as broad; ridges with dense short setae and some scattered moderately long non-plumose setae; cervical groove nearly indistinct, laterally bifurcated; transverse ridges on gastric and anterior branchial regions interrupted into scale-like or concentric arcs; epigastric region with 2 (rarely 4) submedian spines; 1 parahepatic and 1 anterior branchial dorsal spine on each side; median protogastric scale-like ridge unarmed. Mid-transverse ridge laterally interrupted, preceded by cervical groove, followed by 4 transverse ridges. Lateral margins slightly convex medially, with 7 spines: 1 spine in front of and 6 spines behind anterior cervical groove; first anterolateral, additional spine ventral to between first and anterior branch of cervical groove; 3 spines on anterior branchial margin, and 3 spines on posterior branchial margin, last smaller than others. External orbital limit ending in small spine; infraorbital margin with 1 strong spine; 1 small frontal spine between lateral orbital spine and first anterolateral spine, absent in some specimens. Rostrum moderately elongate, triangular, 1.5–1.8 times as long as broad, 0.6–0.7 carapace length and breadth 0.3–0.4 that of carapace, nearly horizontal in lateral view; distance between distalmost lateral incisions 0.25 distance between proximalmost lateral incisions; dorsal surface with small setiferous ridges; lateral margin with 4 deeply incised sharp teeth.

Pterygostomian flap rugose, with sparse short setae, anterior margin sharpy angular.

Sternum: Plastron slightly broader than long, lateral extremities gently divergent posteriorly.

Abdomen: Somite 2 with 2 transverse ridges on tergite, anterior ridge more distinctly elevated than posterior ridge; somites 3–4 with anterior ridge only; somites 5–6 smooth. Males with G1 and G2.

Eyes: Ocular peduncles 1.3–1.5 times longer than broad, maximum corneal diameter 0.8 rostrum width.

Antennule: Article 1 with 3 well-developed spines, distodorsal larger; distomesial spine somewhat smaller and more slender than distolateral. Ultimate article with tuft of fine setae on distodorsal margin.

Antenna: Article 1 with ventral distomesial spine exceeding distal margin of article 2. Article 2 with 2 welldeveloped distal spines, distolateral spine slightly longer than distomesial and reaching midlength of article 3. Article 3 with small distomesial spine. Article 4 unarmed.

Mxp3: Ischium with extensor and flexor margins without distinct distal spine; crista dentata with 25 or 26 denticles. Merus longer than ischium; flexor margin with 2 strong spines of subequal size, proximal one located at midlength, distal one at terminal end; extensor margin ending in small spine or acute angle. Carpus unarmed.

P1: 3.2–3.4 times carapace length, somewhat depressed on palm, more so on fingers, and spinose, with numerous short unirramous setae and some long plumose setae. Merus 1.2–1.3 times length of carapace, 1.6–1.8 times as long as carpus, with spines arranged roughly in rows, mesial and distal spines prominent. Carpus 0.8–0.9 length of palm, 1.7–2.2 times as long as broad; dorsal surface with spines arranged roughly in longitudinal rows; mesial margin with 3 or 4 strong spines, distal second largest. Palm 1.6–2.7 times longer than broad, lateral and mesial margins subparallel; spines arranged roughly in rows, dorsolateral row of spines continued on to whole lateral margin of fixed finger. Fingers 0.8–0.9 length of palm, each finger with two rows of teeth distally spooned; movable finger with 1 proximal and 2 distal spines.

P2–4: Moderately slender, with long sparse plumose setae. P2 2.0–2.1 times carapace length. Meri successively shorter posteriorly (P3 merus 0.9 length of P2 merus, P4 merus 0.8 length of P3 merus); P2 merus 0.8 carapace length, 3.6–4.2 times as long as broad, 1.3–1.5 times longer than P2 propodus; P3 merus 3.2–3.8 times longer than broad, 1.3–1.4 times longer than P3 propodus; P4 merus 2.6 times as long as broad, 1.0–1.2 length of P4 propodus. Extensor margins with row of 8–10 proximally diminishing spines on P2–3, 3 or 4 on P4; lateral surface with 1–2 small spines on P4; flexolateral margin distally ending in 1 spine followed proximally by small spines and several tubercles or eminences. Carpi with 4 or 5 spines on extensor margin on P2–3, unarmed on P4; lateral surface with 4 or 5 spines subparalleling extensor margin on P2–4; flexor distal margin with small distal spine. Propodi 4.5–5.7 times as long as broad; extensor margin with 4–6 spines on proximal half on P2 and P3, 1 or 2 proximal spines on P4; flexor margin with 5 or 6 slender movable spines. Dactyli distally ending in well-curved strong spine, 0.5–0.6 length of propodi; flexor margin with 6 proximally diminishing teeth.

Epipods on P1–3.

Coloration. Base color brownish to reddish. Some whitish flecks on carapace and abdomen, sometimes obsolescent. Ridges on carapace reddish. P1 with white bands on distal part of merus, carpus and palm, and base of fingers; additional white band on merus; tips of fingers white; spines reddish. P2–4 with 2 white bands on merus, 1 band on distal part of carpus and base of dactylus.

Remarks. Galathea polydora resembles G. p e i t h o n. sp. from Japan to Australia and G. aculeata Haswell, 1882 from Queensland. The three species have scale-like ridges on the gastric region of the carapace, epipods on P1–3, at least one dorsal spine on the anterior branchial region. Galathea polydora is easily distinguished from the latter two species by the absence of a marginal spine between the anterolateral and the anteriormost branchial marginal spines, which is present in the latter two species.

The genetic divergences between G. p o l y d o r a and G. peitho were 19.1% (COI) and 9.3% (16S rRNA). The samples from Fiji have a genetic divergence greater than 5.0%, but without clear morphological differences. However, the specimens are mostly broken and more material and genetic analyses are needed to establish their specific status.

Distribution. Indonesia ( Moluccas, NE Marsegu Island), Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Chesterfield Islands, Fiji; 0–105 m, in corals, sponges, tubes of Eunicidae and algae .