Leiogalathea laevirostris (Balss, 1913)

(Fig. 8)

Galathea laevirostris Balss, 1913: 221 [type locality: W entrance of Sombrero Channel, Nicobar Islands, 805 m]. Galathea imperialis Miyake & Baba, 1967: 213, figs. 1, 2 [type locality: WSW of Jagoshima, Sagami Bay]. Leiogalathea laevirostris . — Baba 1969: 3; 1991: 487–488; 2005: 88, 246 [synonymy].

Material examined. Lord Howe Rise: NMNZ, 1 female (8.8 mm), W of Norfolk Island, 28°51.21’S, 167°42.53’E, 690–812 m, TAN0308/29 #25, 15 May 2003; AM P26580, 1 female (5.8 mm), NE of Batemans Bay, 35°38–41’S, 150°42–40’E, 540 m, K77-12-04, 10 Aug 1977.

Remarks. The present specimen from TAN0308/29 represents the first record of L. laevirostris from the vicinity of Norfolk Island, though Baba (1991) reported the species from the northern Norfolk Ridge and New Caledonia. The specimen from Batemans Bay, New South Wales, included here to document its presence in Australia, is the southernmost record of the species.

Distribution. Madagascar and the western Indian Ocean to Indonesia, and New Caledonia to Japan and French Polynesia; now from New South Wales and Norfolk Island, Australia; 160–812 m (Baba 2005; present study).