Niphargus kurdistanensis, Mamaghani-Shishvan & Esmaeili-Rineh & Fišer, 2017

Mamaghani-Shishvan, Mahmood, Esmaeili-Rineh, Somayeh & Fišer, Cene, 2017, Microphysogobio bicolor, Zoological Studies 56 (33), pp. 1-20 : 4-14

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.6620/ZS.2017.56-33
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/1B5887EB-FF80-FF95-14AA-9C47BFDE18BF
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Niphargus kurdistanensis
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Niphargus kurdistanensis View in CoL sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C6AAC178-B80A-4DF5-8C86-011BCEB80B5A

Material examined and type locality

Holotype: male specimen (12 mm) from Shoei Cave , Kurdistan Province, Iran . Holotype and three paratypes from the same locality are stored under catalogue number ZCRU Amph. 1076 in the Zoological Collection , Razi University, Iran ( ZCRU) .

Type locality: Shoei Cave, 12 km to Baneh City (near to Iraq border), Kurdistan Province, Iran; (36°0'18"N, 45°53'45"E).

Material examined: One male specimen (holotype) from Shoei Cave, 12 km to Baneh City (near to Iraq border), Kurdistan Province, Iran; (36°0'18"N, 45°53'45"E); collected by V. Akmali in June 2015; catalogue number ZCRU Amph. 1076. Three male specimens were collected from Darvish-Olya Cave, 75 km to Marivan City, Kurdistan Province, Iran; (35°37'14"N, 46°37'59"E) by M. Mamaghani in November 2016; male specimen (7 mm) record with catalogue number ZCRU Amph. 1077 in the Zoological Collection, Razi University, Iran.

Diagnosis: Telson is deeply cleft; each lobe bears four apical robust setae. The palpus of maxilla I is short and not reaching the tip of the outer lobe. The outer plate of maxilla I bears seven robust setae with none or 1 lateral projection. Posterior margins of epimeral plates II-III armed with robust spiniform setae. Laterally, the urosomites I to III bear two, two and one robust setae, respectively. The propodus of gnathopods I to II have one and two robust setae with lateral projections on outer surface in palmar corner, respectively.

Description of holotype: Total length of specimen 12 mm. Body strong and stout. Head length 8% of body length ( Fig. 2 View Fig ). Antennae I ( Fig. 2A View Fig ) 0.5 of body length. Peduncular articles 1-3 progressively shorter; peduncular articles 2: 3 in ratio 1.38:1; main flagellum with more than 12 articles; accessory flagellum biarticulated, reaching 1/3 of article 4 of main flagellum, with three and two simple setae, respectively ( Fig. 2A View Fig ). Peduncular article 4 of antennae II slightly longer than article 5, with eight and four groups of simple setae, respectively; flagellum with nine articles. Length of flagellum: length of peduncle articles 4 + 5 as 0.5:1 ( Fig. 2B View Fig ).

Labium ( Fig. 3D View Fig ) with inner lobes and setae on the tip of the lobes. Inner plate of maxilla I with two long simple setae; outer plate with seven robust setae with 0-0-1-1-0-1-0 lateral projection; palp biarticulated, shorter than outer lobe, with three long distal simple setae ( Figs. 2 View Fig D-E). Both plates of maxilla II with numerous distal simple setae and two lateral simple setae ( Fig. 3E View Fig ).

Left mandible having pars incisiva with five teeth, lacinia mobilis with four teeth and six setae with lateral projections between lacinia and triturative molar ( Fig. 2F View Fig ). Right mandible with pars incisiva having four teeth, lacinia mobilis pluritooth and six setae with lateral projections between lacinia and triturative molar ( Fig. 2G View Fig ). Mandibular palp articles 1:2:3 ratios as 1:1.8:1.8. The proximal article with no setae, the second article with 13 setae along inner margin and the third article with one group of three A-setae, four groups of B-setae, no C-setae, 25 D-setae and five E-setae ( Fig. 2H View Fig ).

Maxilliped with short inner plate bearing four distal robust setae intermixed with three distal simple setae; outer plate exceeding half of the palp article 2, with 12 robust setae along inner margin and eight simple setae distally. Maxilliped palp article 3 with one proximal, inner and outer group of long simple setae at outer margin; palp terminal article with one simple seta at outer margin and two setae at the base of nail, nail shorter than pedestal ( Fig. 3C View Fig ).

Coxa of gnathopod I almost quadratic slightly rounded, with eight setae along antero-ventral margins. Basis with setae in groups and single setae along anterior and posterior margins; posterior margins of ischium and merus with one posterior group of setae each. Carpus 0.5 of basis length and 0.63 propodus length. Carpus with one group of seven setae antero-distally, and rows of setae on the posterior bulk. Propodus of gnathopod I, trapezoid shape and broader than long; anterior margin with 18 setae in four groups in addition to antero-distal group of five simple setae. Palm convex, with one strong palmar robust seta, one supporting robust seta without lateral projections on inner surface, and two robust setae with lateral projections on outer surface; two setae under supporting robust setae in palmar corner. Dactylus reaching posterior margin of propodus, outer and inner margins of dactylus with one and three simple setae, respectively. Nail length 0.27 of total dactylus length ( Fig. 3A View Fig ).

Coxa of gnathopod II trapezoid, broader than long, ventral margin with four simple setae. Basis with setae on anterior and posterior margins; ischium and merus with posterior group of setae. Carpus with one group of three setae antero-distally, a bulge with long simple setae; carpus 0.62 of basis length and 0.72 of propodus length. Propodus broader than long; anterior margin with three setae in two groups in addition to antero-distal group of five simple setae. Palm slightly convex, with one strong long palmar robust seta, one short supporting robust seta on inner surface and one robust seta with lateral projections on outer surface. Dactylus not reaching posterior margin of propodus, outer and inner dactylar margins with one and five simple setae, respectively; nail short, 0.25 of total dactylus length ( Fig. 3B View Fig ).

Coxa III rectangular, length to width ratio as 1.16:1; antero-ventral margin with eight simple setae. Coxa IV quadrate, antero-ventral margin with seven simple setae, posterior concavity shallow and approximately 0.1 of coxa width ( Figs. 4 View Fig A-B). Coxa V with anterior lobe, with four and one simple setae on anterior and posterior lobes, respectively. Coxa VI with anterior lobe, with one simple seta on posterior lobe. Coxa VII half-ovoid, with one simple posterior seta ( Figs. 4 View Fig C-E).

Pereopod III:IV lengths in ratio as 1.18:1 ( Figs. 4 View Fig A-B). Dactylus IV short, length of dactylus 0.33 of propodus, nail shorter than pedestal ( Fig. 4B View Fig ). Pereopods V: VI:VII length ratios as 1:1.08:1.16. Pereopod VII 0.5 of body length. Pereopod bases V-VII each with eight groups of robust setae along anterior margins and 10-10-9 simple setae along posterior margins, respectively ( Figs. 4 View Fig C-E). Postero-ventral lobe of ischium in pereopods V-VII weakly developed. Ischium, merus and carpus in pereopods V-VII with several groups of robust and simple setae along anterior and posterior margins; propodus of pereopod VII longer than these in V-VI, dactyli of pereopods V-VII with one robust and one short simple seta at the base of nail on inner margin, nail length of pereopod VII 0.29 of total dactylus length ( Figs. 4 View Fig C-E).

Pereonites I-VII without setae. Pleonites I-III each with numerus simple setae along dorsal surface. Epimeral plates I-III ( Fig. 5G View Fig ) with angular postero-ventral corners, anterior and ventral margins convex; postero-ventral margins of plates I-III with three, five and six robust setae posteriorly, respectively. Epimeral plates II-III with two and three robust setae along of ventral margins, respectively. Peduncle of pleopods I-III with two-hooked retinacles. Peduncle of pleopod III with two simple setae along of inner margin ( Figs. 5 View Fig A-C); rami of pleopods I-III each with 10 to 16 articles ( Figs. 5 View Fig A-C).

Urosomites I-III with two, two and one robust setae dorso-laterally, respectively. Urosomite I with one robust seta at the base of uropod I. Peduncle of uropod I with seven and four large robust setae along dorsolateral and dorsomedial margins, respectively. Inner ramus of uropod I slightly longer than outer ramus (ratio 1.07:1); inner ramus with five groups of robust setae laterally and five robust setae distally; outer ramus with six groups of six robust and simple setae laterally and five robust setae distally ( Fig. 5D View Fig ). Inner ramus in uropod II longer than outer, both rami with lateral and distal long robust setae ( Fig. 5E View Fig ). Uropod III long, almost 0.45 of body length. Peduncle of uropod III with two robust setae. Outer ramus biarticulated, distal article measures 0.15 of the proximal article. The proximal article of outer ramus bearing seven and six groups of robust setae along inner and outer margins, respectively ( Fig. 5F View Fig ); distal article with simple setae laterally and four simple setae distally. Inner ramus short, with three robust distal setae and one simple lateral seta. Telson two times longer than broad, lobes slightly narrowing; each lobe with four robust setae distally, with one long robust and two plumose setae laterally, with one robust seta mesially ( Fig. 5H View Fig ).

Description of specimen from Darvish-Olya cave: Total length of specimen 7 mm. Body strong and stout. Head length 14% of body length ( Fig. 6 View Fig ). Antennae I ( Fig. 6A View Fig ) 0.6 of body length. Peduncular articles 1-3 progressively shorter; peduncular articles 2: 3 in ratio 1.47:1; main flagellum with 15 articles; accessory flagellum biarticulated and reaching 2/3 of article 4 of main flagellum, with one and two simple setae, respectively ( Fig. 6A View Fig ). Length ratio antenna I:II as 1:0.68. Peduncular article 4 slightly longer than article 5, with three and five groups of simple setae, respectively; flagellum with six articles. Length of flagellum: length of peduncle articles 4 + 5 as 0.61:1 ( Fig. 6B View Fig ).

Labium ( Fig. 7D View Fig ) with inner lobes and setae on the tip of the lobes. Inner plate of maxilla I with two long simple setae; outer plate with seven robust setae with 0-0-1-1-1-0-1 lateral projection; palp biarticulated, shorter than outer lobe, with two long distal simple setae ( Figs. 6 View Fig D-E). Both plates of maxilla II with numerous distal simple setae ( Fig. 7E View Fig ).

Left mandible having pars incisiva with five teeth, lacinia mobilis with four teeth and eight setae with lateral projections between lacinia and triturative molar ( Fig. 6F View Fig ). Right mandible with pars incisive having four teeth, lacinia mobilis pluritooth and five setae with lateral projections between lacinia and triturative molar ( Fig. 6G View Fig ). Mandibular palp articles 1:2:3 ratios as 1:1.87:1.85. The proximal article has no setae, the second article with five setae along inner margin and the third article with one group of two A-setae, two groups of B-setae, no C-setae, nine D-setae and four E-setae ( Fig. 6H View Fig ).

Maxilliped with short inner plate bearing three distal robust setae intermixed with four distal simple setae; outer plate exceeding half of the palp article 2, with eight robust setae along inner margin and three simple setae distally. Palp article 3 of maxilliped with one proximal, inner and outer group of long simple setae at outer margin; palp terminal article with one simple seta at the base of nail, nail shorter than pedestal ( Fig. 7C View Fig ).

Coxa of gnathopod I trapezoid, broader than long, antero-ventral margins with four simple setae. Basis with setae on anterior and posterior margins; ischium and merus with posterior group of setae. Carpus with one group of two setae antero-distally, a bulge with long simple setae; carpus 0.71 of basis length and 0.8 of propodus length. Propodus broader than long; anterior margin with five setae in one group in addition to antero-distal group of two simple setae. Palm slightly convex, with one strong long palmar robust seta, one short supporting robust seta on inner surface and one robust seta with lateral projections on outer surface. Dactylus reaching posterior margin of propodus, outer and inner margins with a row of two and two simple setae, respectively; nail short, 0.3 of total dactylus length ( Fig. 7A View Fig ).

Coxa of gnathopod II subrounded-quadratic, with five simple setae along antero-ventral margins. Basis with setae in groups and single seta along anterior and posterior margins; posterior margins of ischium and merus with one posterior group of setae each. Carpus 0.69 of basis length and 0.79 propodus length. Carpus with one group of two setae antero-distally, and rows of setae on the posterior bulk. Propodus of gnathopod II larger than propodus of gnathopod I, trapezoid shape and broader than long; anterior margin with three setae in one group in addition to antero-distal group of four simple setae. Palm convex, with one strong palmar robust seta, one supporting robust seta without lateral projections on inner surface, and two robust setae with lateral projections on outer surface. Dactylus reaching posterior margin of propodus, outer and inner margins of dactylus with one and two simple setae, respectively. Nail length 0.32 of total dactylus length ( Fig. 7B View Fig ).

Coxa III rectangular, length to width ratio as 1.06:1; ventral margin with four simple setae. Coxa IV rectangular, antero-ventral margin with five simple setae, posterior concavity shallow and approximately 0.1 of coxa width ( Figs. 8 View Fig A-B). Coxa V with anterior lobe, with one simple seta on anterior lobe. Coxa VI with anterior lobe, with one simple seta on anterior lobe. Coxa VII with one simple seta ( Figs. 8 View Fig C-E).

Pereopod III:IV lengths ratio as 1.06:1 ( Figs. 8 View Fig A-B). Dactylus IV short, length of dactylus 0.4 of propodus, nail shorter than pedestal ( Fig. 8B View Fig ). Pereopods V: VI:VII length ratios as 1:1.07:1.2. Pereopod VII 0.42 of body length. Pereopod bases V-VII with five, six and five groups of robust setae along anterior margins, respectively and with seven, seven and six simple setae along posterior margins, respectively ( Figs. 8 View Fig C-E). Postero-ventral lobe of ischium in pereopods V-VII weakly developed. Ischium, merus and carpus in pereopods V-VII with several groups of robust and simple setae along anterior and posterior margins; propodus of pereopod VII longer than these in V-VI, dactyli of pereopods V-VII with one robust and one short simple seta at the base of nail on inner margin, dactylus of pereopod VI with one simple seta on outer margin, nail length of pereopod VII 0.2 of total dactylus length ( Figs. 8 View Fig C-E).

Pereonites I-VII without setae. Pleonites I-III each with 3-4 simple setae along dorsal surface. Epimeral plates I-III ( Fig. 9G View Fig ) with angular postero-ventral corners, anterior and ventral margins convex; postero-ventral margins of plates I-III with two, three and four robust setae posteriorly, respectively. Epimeral plates II-III with two robust setae along of ventral margins each. Peduncle of pleopods I-III with two-hooked retinacles. Peduncle of pleopod I with one simple seta at distal part of outer margin. Peduncle of pleopod III with one simple seta along of inner margin ( Figs. 9 View Fig A-C); rami of pleopods I-III each with seven to nine articles ( Figs. 9 View Fig A-C).

Urosomites I-III with two, two and one dorsolateral robust setae, respectively. Urosomite I with one robust seta at the base of uropod I. Peduncle of uropod I with six and three large robust setae along dorsolateral and dorsomedial margins, respectively. Inner ramus of uropod I slightly longer than outer ramus (ratio 1.05:1); inner ramus with two groups of robust setae laterally and five robust setae distally; outer ramus with two groups of robust setae laterally and five robust setae distally ( Fig. 9D View Fig ). Inner ramus in uropod II longer than outer, both rami with lateral and distal long robust setae ( Fig. 9E View Fig ). Uropod III long, almost 0.45 of body length. Peduncle of uropod III with five robust setae. Outer ramus biarticulated, distal article measures 0.22 of the proximal article. Proximal article of outer ramus bearing five groups of robust setae along each inner and outer margins ( Fig. 9F View Fig ); distal article with simple setae laterally and four simple setae distally. Inner ramus short, with three robust distal setae. Telson slightly longer than broad, lobes slightly narrowing; each lobe with four robust setae distally, with two plumose setae laterally ( Fig. 9H View Fig ).

Etymology

The name “kurdistanensis ” refers to Kurdistan Province ( Iran), where the species was found.

Phylogenetic position of the new species and its genetic distinctness

We sequenced and analyzed DNA from three individuals, two from Shoei cave and one from Darvish-Olya cave. All three specimens showed unique haplotypes for both 513 base pairs long fragment of COI gene and for 810 base pairs long fragment of 28S ribosomal DNA. Phylogenetic analyses using 57 cogeners consistently placed a new species into a clade comprised of exclusively Middle East species. Its accurate position within the clade however remains unknown. The phylogenetic relationships within the clade remained mainly unresolved in a phylogenetic analysis based on 28S fragment. The phylogenetic hypothesis based on COI gene suggests a sister relationship with unknown species from Lebanon, however, the support for this node is weak and should not be treated as reliable hypothesis ( Figs. 10-11 View Fig View Fig ).

The new species is clearly distinct from all other Iranian species. The Pairwise Kimura two parameter genetic distances between N. kurdistanensis sp.nov. and all other species varied between 0.3-9.7% and 9.8-19.9 for 28S and COI, respectively ( Table 1). These differences are in a range when amphipod species become reproductively isolated ( Lagrue et al. 2014). In addition to morphological distinctness, molecular divergence provides an additional support for the hypothesis that N. kurdistanensis sp. nov. deserves an independent species status.