Transorchestia miranda (Chilton, 1916)

(Figs. 62–63, 67)

Orchestia miranda Chilton, 1916: 354 .— Stephensen, 1935: 7.— Hurley, 1956: 163, figs. 69–102.— Shaw & Poore, 2016: 34. Transorchestia miranda .— Bousfield, 1982: 19.

Material examined. 2 specimens (15 mm, male illustrated; 16 mm), AM P.5744, Kaikoura, New Zealand (42°24′S 173°41′E) .

Type locality. Stephens Island, Cook Strait, New Zealand .

Size. Male 17.5 mm, female 14 mm.

Variation. Not significant.

Remarks. A study of the two available specimens added little additional information to what is known for this species however the male specimen at hand is of large body size, 17 mm, and shows sexual dimorphic pereopods 6 and 7 with an expanded merus and basis on both pereopods. The expanded merus and carpus of pereopods 6 and 7 is similar to Trans. serrulata, however these species are readily distinguishable by the gnathopods 1 and 2. In Trans. serrulata, gnathopod 1 has palmate setae on the carpus and propodus only, and male gnathopod 2 propodus palm is sinusoidal, while in T. miranda the gnathopod 1 has palmate lobes on merus, carpus and propodus with a convex gnathopod 2 palm.

Habitat. Supralittoral, on rocky shores.

Distribution. New Zealand. Cook Strait: Stephen Islands. South Island: Kaikoura (Chilton 1916; Hurley 1956; current study).