Chuneola spinifera Vinogradov

Zeidler, Wolfgang, 2009, A review of the hyperiidean amphipod superfamily Lanceoloidea Bowman & Gruner, 1973 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyperiidea), Zootaxa 2000, pp. 1-117 : 87

Chuneola spinifera Vinogradov

( Fig. 32)

Chuneola spinifera Vinogradov, 1960b: 249 (map), 251–253, figs 2–4. Vinogradov et al. 1982: 97–98, figs 35,36.

Type material. This species was described from one sexually mature female, 41 mm in length, from the north-west Pacific [38°03’N 144°12’E], at 0–3000 m depth. The unique holotype is in the ZMMU (Mb–1056), on microscope slides.

Material examined. One sexually mature female, 28 mm ( ZMUC CRU-9932) from the tropical eastern Pacific, Gulf of Panama [07°15’N 78°54’W]; Dana Stn. 1209 I, 3500 mw, 17 Jan. 1922 .

Diagnosis. Known from only two, sexually mature females, with body lengths of 28 & 41 mm. Pereon arched; pereonites 2–4 with lateral spine-like processes near ventral margin; pereonites 6 & 7 with small, rounded posterodistal process. Pleonites and first urosomite with marked, rounded, posterodistal process. Head with elongate, rounded rostrum, slightly longer than head and first pereonite combined. Eyes very small. Antennae 1 relatively slender, a little less than half as long as head. Antennae 2; vesicular peduncular article semi-circular in shape, maximum width 0.6x length; a little shorter than A1; terminal article slightly longer than wide. Gnathopod 1 similar to G2 but slightly shorter; basis length slightly less than carpus and propodus combined. Pereopod 3 is identical to P4; basis length 2.2x merus; carpus length 1.4x merus; propodus as long as carpus, with well-developed spoon-shaped formation for fully retractile dactylus. Pereopods 5–7 similar in structure with retractile, fully hooded dactyls. Pereopod 5 slightly shorter than P4; basis length 2.2x merus; carpus length 1.2x merus; propodus marginally longer than carpus. Pereopod 6 slightly longer than P5; relative lengths of articles like P5. Pereopod 7 marginally longer than P6 but slightly shorter than P4; relative lengths of articles like P6. Uropod 1; peduncle a little longer than inner ramus, reaching to about three quarters of peduncle of U2; outer ramus length 0.6x inner. Uropod 2; peduncle slightly longer than inner ramus; outer ramus marginally shorter than inner. Uropod 3; peduncle slightly longer than broad; inner ramus marginally shorter than outer. Telson triangular, as long as wide at base; slightly shorter than peduncle of U3.

Colour of unfixed specimens is pale pink with darker pereopoda and urosome ( Vinogradov et al. 1982).

Remarks. This is only the second specimen of this species on record. It is readily distinguished from all its congeners by the elongate rostrum and the spinelike processes on pereonites 2–4. Vinogradov (1960b) recorded a sexually mature female measuring 41 mm. The specimen at hand measures only 28 mm but also seems to be sexually mature, judging by the well-developed oostegites.

Distribution. Only known from two mature female specimens; the unique type from the Pacific Ocean, west off Japan [38°03’N 144°12’E], from a haul 0–3000 m and this record from the tropical eastern Pacific, Gulf of Panama [07°15’N 78°54’W], from a haul with 3500 mw.