Pseudolitochira pacifica sp. nov.

(Figures 2a; 5a–d; 6a, d, f; 7b)

Litocheira longipes – Yokoya 1933: 196; Sakai, 1934: 314 (not Pilumnoplax longipes Stimpson, 1858).

Heteropilumnus longipes – Sakai 1939: 540, text-fig. 55; 1976: 493, pl. 176 fig. 4.

Material examined

Holotype female, 5.2 × 3.5 mm, ZRC 2017.190, station DB71, south of Turtle Island, massive coral ‘ Aldric’, 15.360°S, 167.208°E, Santo, Vanuatu, 7 m, coll. Santo Expedition, 27 September 2006.

Diagnosis

Carapace transversely subovate, width 1.49 times length (Figures 2a, and 5a); surface covered with short, relatively dense pubescence which obscures surface and margins, with long simple setae along margins which do not obscure margin (Figures 2a, and 5a); anterolateral margin almost entire, with small granules, junction with posterolateral margin with small low lobe but not dentiform (Figure 5a); posterior margin of epistome with median lobe flattened, almost level with endostome, lateral margin gently concave (Figure 5b, c); third maxilliped with short, subquadrate ischium, merus quadrate, subdistal margin with prominent rounded granules (Figures 5d, and 7b); major chela with fingers subequal to or almost as long as length of palm (Figure 6a); ambulatory legs with merus and propodus relatively short, stout (Figure 6d); vulvae relatively smaller, ovate, positioned farther apart, opening obliquely (Figure 6c).

Etymology

This species is named after the Pacific Ocean.

Remarks

Pseudolitochira pacifica sp. nov. in most characters, especially the carapace characters, resembles P. integra . For comparisons with congeners, see Discussion.