Ampithoe ramondi Audouin

Myers, Alan A., 2012, Amphipoda (Crustacea) from Palau, Micronesia: Families Ampeliscidae, Ampithoidae, Aoridae, Colomastigidae and Cyproideidae, ZooKeys 193, pp. 1-25 : 7-8

Ampithoe ramondi Audouin cf Figure 6

Material examined.

2 males, OUMNH.ZC.2002-24-0083, Ikedluches Reef, outer rubble slope, from unidentified gorgonian with dead base and small amount of algae, 20 m depth; 07°17.987'N, 134°28.756'E; leg. S. De Grave & C. Burras, 25 May 2002; 1 male 1 juvenile, OUMNH.ZC.2002-24-0084, Lighthouse Reef, intertidal collection, consolidated rubble collection; 07°16.658'N, 134°27.670'E; leg. S. De Grave & C. Burras, 26 May 2002.

Remarks.

As pointed out by Myers (1985), Ampithoe ramondi represents a species complex that has yet to be elucidated. Present material agrees very well with material described from Fiji by Myers (1985) under the name Ampithoe ramondi . It shows some similarity with Ampithoe katae Peart (2007b), from the Great Barrier Reef, but it differs from that species in the more strongly produced posterodistal corner of the male gnathopod 2 merus and carpus and in the more elongate mandible palp article 3. In the latter character state it resembles Ampithoe cookana Peart, also from the Great Barrier Reef, but that species has a relatively weakly setiferous propodus anterior margin on the male gnathopod 2. For the moment this material, as well as material described from Fiji by Myers (1985), is simply referred to the Ampithoe ramondi complex.

Distribution.

Australia (Queensland, Western Australia); Palau.