Niphargus fautor, Karaman, 2017

Karaman, Gordan S., 2017, Niphargus fautor, new species from Greece (fam. Niphargidae) (Contribution to the Knowledge of the Amphipoda 299), Ecologica Montenegrina 15, pp. 40-52 : 41-51

Niphargus fautor , sp. nov.

Figures 1-6

Material examined: Greece:

G-17= Glikorizo, Arta , Epirus, 10 m a.s.l., freshwater well, water temperature 11.5°C, pH 7; 24.2.1976, one female (holotype), accompanied by Niphargus cymbalus G. Karaman (leg. Argano, Pesce & Bianco) ;

G-112= road Ghition-Kalamata, 100 m from Ghition , Peloponnese, well, water temperature 17°C, pH 6.6, salinity 0.5; 11.4.1978, one male (leg. Pesce, Maggi & Silverii);

G-118 [S-6927]= Kalamata, Peloponnese, along the seacoast, freshwater wells, water temperature 16.2°C, pH 6.8, salinity 2.3; 12.4.1978, 8 exp., 12.4.1978 (leg. Pesce, Maggi & Silverii).

Diagnosis

Relatively small species, moderately slender, with rather short coxae, epimeral plates acute, antennae 1-2 slender. Mandibular palpus article 1 is naked, palpus article 3 is falciform; without B-setae; maxilla 1 inner plate with 2 setae, outer plate with uni-toothed spines, palpus short, 2-articulated; maxilliped with elongated inner and outer plates, inner plate with 4 distal spines.

Gnathopods 1-2 weak, rather smaller than corresponding coxae; gnathopod 2 is poorly “ kochianus - type ”, with elongated articles 5 and 6 and with one seta at outer margin of dactylus. Dactylus of pereopods 3- 7 is slender, bearing one small slender spine or spine-like seta at inner margin. Article 2 of pereopods 5-7 is dilated, subrounded, with ventroposterior lobe; pleopods 1-3 are with 2 retinacula and poorly setose peduncle. Uropod 1 peduncle is with dorsointernal and dorsoexternal row of spines, inner ramus is slightly longer than outer one. Uropod 3 is short and strong, with short distal article of outer ramus. Telson is deeply incised, bearing distal spines only. Significant sexual dimorphic characters are not developed.

Description

Female 4.3 mm (holotype) from G-17 [Glikorizo, Epirus]:

Head is with short rostrum and short subrounded lateral cephalic lobes, ventroanterior sinus is developed (fig. 1A), eyes absent. Metasomal segments 1-3 are with 4 short dorsoposterior setae (fig. 3G); urosomal segment 1 is with one stronger seta on each dorsolateral side; urosomal segment 2 on each dorsolateral side is provided with 2 spines (fig. 5E); urosomal segment 3 is naked. Urosomal segment 1 on each ventroposterior corner is with one strong spine near basis of uropod 1-peduncle (fig. 5E).

Epimeral plate 1 is angular, with poorly convex posterior margin bearing 2 short setae (fig. 3G); epimeral plate 2 is distinctly angular, with poorly inclined posterior margin, bearing 2-3 setae; epimeral plate 3 is poorly acute, with inclined posterior margin bearing 3 posterior setae; one subventral spine is present on epimeral plate 2, epimeral plate 3 is with 2 subventral spines; corner spine-like seta on epimeral plates 1-3 is weak (fig. 3G).

Antenna 1 is slightly shorter than half of body-length; peduncle is scarcely setose, peduncular articles 1-3 are progressively shorter (ratio: 60:32:23), articles 2 and 3 are with 2 long setae, article 3 is not elongated (fig. 1B); main flagellum consisting of 20 articles (fig. 1C) (most of them are with one aesthetasc (fig. 1D). Accessory flagellum is as long as peduncular article 3, consisting of 2 articles (fig. 1B).

Antenna 2 is relatively slender; peduncular articles 4 and 5 are of equal length, bearing several setae each (fig. 1E); flagellum is longer than last peduncular article, consisting of 7 articles; antennal gland cone is short (fig. 1E).

Mouthparts are basic. Labrum is broader than long (fig. 1F). Labium is with small, well developed inner lobes, outer lobes are entire, convex distally (fig. 3A).

Mandible is with triturative molar. Left mandible: incisor is with 5 teeth, lacinia mobilis with 4 teeth and with 3 rakers. Right mandible: incisor is with 4 teeth, lacinia mobilis weak, bifurcate, with several small teeth (fig. 1H) and with 3 rakers. Mandibular palpus is 3-articulated: first article is naked; second article is with 3 short setae; palpus article 3 is falciform, longer than second article (ratio: 68:52), provided with nearly 15 D-setae, 4 distal E-setae and 2 facial A-setae (fig. 1G), B-setae are absent.

Maxilla 1: inner plate is narrow, with 2 distal setae (fig. 5A); outer plate is with 7 spines [5-6 spines with one lateral tooth, one spine with 1-2 teeth, one spine with 3-5 very small lateral teeth; palpus is 2- articulated, relatively short, not reaching tip of outer plate spines and provided with 4 long distal setae.

Maxilla 2 is with rather narrow both plates, bearing distomarginal setae only (fig. 3B).

Maxilliped: inner plate is rather long, exceeding outer distal tip of palpus article 2 and provided with 4 smooth pointed spines mixed with single distal and lateral setae; outer plate exceeding ¾ of palpus article 3, bearing nearly 8 large pointed spines at distal and mesial margin (fig. 1 I); palpus article 2 with one distal seta at outer margin, and with a row of setae at inner margin. Palpus article 3 with 2 distal short setae at outer margin; article 4 at outer margin with one median seta, at inner margin appear 2 setae attached near basis of the nail (fig. 1G).

Coxae are not elongated. Coxa 1 is slightly longer than broad (ratio: 53:48), with subrounded ventroanterior corner and provided with 4 marginal setae (fig. 2A). Coxa 2 is longer than broad (ratio: 66:56), with subrounded ventral margin bearing nearly 5 short setae (fig. 2D). Coxa 3 is only slightly longer than broad (ratio: 71:68), with nearly 4 setae at ventral subrounded margin (fig. 3C). Coxa 4 is more quadrate, hardly longer than broad (ratio: 74:70) with nearly, 4 short setae along ventral margin, ventroposterior lobe is not fully developed (fig. 3E).

Coxa 5 is rather shorter than coxa 4, bilobed, broader than long (ratio: 63:37), anterior lobe is subrounded (fig. 4A). Coxa 6 is bilobed and smaller than coxa 5, broader than long (ratio: 52:30) (fig. 4C). Coxa 7 is entire, broader than long (ratio: 50:25), convex ventrally (fig. 4E).

Gnathopods 1 and 2 are relatively small, “ kochianus type ”, with propodus smaller than corresponding coxa (fig. 2A, C). Gnathopod 1 is smaller than gnathopod 2, article 2 with only 2 long setae along anterior margin, and with several bunches of long setae along posterior margin (fig. 2A). Article 3 at posterior margin with one bunch of 2-3 setae. Article 5 is not elongated, nearly as long as propodus and provided with 3 transverse rows of setae along posterior margin, and one distal bunch of setae along anterior margin. Propodus is not fully rhomboid, hardly longer than broad (ratio: 82:79), along posterior margin appear 3 transverse rows of scarce number of setae (fig. 2B). Palm is convex, not inclined, defined on outer face by one corner S-spine accompanied laterally by 2 short L-spines and one facial M-seta, on inner face by one short subcorner R-spine (fig. 2C). Dactylus reaching posterior margin of propodus, along outer margin with one median seta, along inner margin with 3-4 short setae (fig. 2B).

Gnathopod 2: article 2 is with scarce number of setae along anterior margin, and with several single or paired long setae along posterior margin. Article 3 is with one bunch of 3 setae at posterior margin; article 5 is elongated, rather longer than propodus (ratio: 60:50), with 4 transverse rows of setae along posterior margin and with one distal bunch of setae along anterior margin (fig. 2D). Propodus is rhomboid, remarkably longer than broad (ratio: 95:73), with 7 transverse rows of setae along posterior margin (fig. 2E). Palm is convex, not inclined, defined on outer face by one corner S-spine accompanied laterally by 2 shorter serrate L-spines and 2 facial M-setae (fig. 2F), on inner face by one short subcorner R-spine. Dactylus reaching posterior margin of propodus, at outer margin with one median seta, along inner margin with nearly 4 short setae (fig. 2E).

Pereopod 3 is moderately slender, article 2 along anterior margin with several very short setae, along posterior margin with nearly 6 long setae; articles 4-6 of unequal length (ratio: 56:43:51), along anterior and posterior margin with several setae each (fig. 3C). Dactylus slender, remarkably shorter than article 6 (ratio: 26:51), at inner margin with one slender spine near basis of the nail, at outer margin with one median plumose seta (fig. 3D); nail is as long as pedestal.

Pereopod 4 is rather similar to pereopod 3; article 2 with several very short setae at anterior margin, and nearly 6 long setae along posterior margin. Articles 4-6 are of unequal length (ratio: 51:41:49); article 4 is with 3-4 setae or spine-like setae at posterior margin; articles 5 and 6 with 4 single or bunches of short slender spines at posterior margin (fig. 3E); dactylus slender, shorter than article 6 (ratio: 23:49), at inner margin with one spine-like seta or slender spine, at outer margin with one median plumose seta (fig. 3F); nail is as long as pedestal.

Pereopods 5-7 are moderately short (fig. 4A, C, E). Pereopod 5 is distinctly shorter than pereopods 6 and 7, with article 2 ovoid, poorly tapering ventrally, longer than broad (ratio: 77:50), along anterior convex margin are attached 7 spine-like setae, along posterior convex margin are attached nearly 9 short setae, ventroanterior corner is not produced, ventroposterior lobe is well developed (fig. 4A). Articles 4-6 are of unequal length (ratio: 42:38:43), along both margins provided with several slender spines or shorter spine-like setae. Article 2 is remarkably longer than article 6 (ratio: 77:43). Dactylus is slender but short, much shorter than article 6 (ratio: 19:43), at inner margin with one spine-like seta near basis of the nail, at outer margin with one median plumose seta (fig. 4B); nail is shorter than pedestal (ratio: 30:43).

Pereopod 6: article 2 is ovoid, poorly tapering ventrally, longer than broad (ratio: 88:59), along anterior convex margin are attached nearly 7 spine-like setae, along posterior convex margin appear nearly 9 short setae, ventroposterior lobe is well developed (fig. 4C). Articles 4-6 are of unequal length (ratio: 50:55:66), along anterior and posterior margin with spines and spine-like setae. Article 2 is longer than article 6 (ratio: 88:66). Dactylus is slender but much shorter than article 6 (ratio: 26:66), at inner margin with one short spine-like seta, at outer margin with one median plumose seta (fig. 4D); nail is shorter than pedestal (ratio: 31:57).

Pereopod 7: article 2 is ovoid, not tapering ventrally, longer than broad (ratio: 88:63), along anterior convex margin with nearly 6 spine-like setae, along posterior convex margin appear 7-8 short setae, ventroposterior lobe well developed, poorly exceeding ventral tip of article 3 (fig. 4E). Articles 4-6 are of unequal length (ratio: 43:45:65), with strong spines along anterior and posterior margin. Article 2 is longer than article 6 (ratio: 88:65). Dactylus is slender but short, much shorter than article 6 (ratio: 26:65), at inner margin with one short spine-like seta near basis of the nail, at outer margin with one median plumose seta (fig. 4F), nail is shorter than pedestal (ratio: 35:58).

Pleopods 1-3 are with 2 retinacula each; peduncle of pleopod 1 is with 3 setae along anterior margin (fig. 5B); peduncle of pleopod 2 is naked (fig. 5C); peduncle of pleopod 3 is provided with 2 stronger median setae along posterior margin (fig. 5D).

Uropods 1-2 are slender. Uropod 1: peduncle is hardly longer than inner ramus (ratio: 85:80), with dorsoexternal and dorsointernal row of strong spines (fig. 5F); outer ramus is only slightly shorter than inner one (fig. 5E, F), with 3 bunches of lateral and with bunch of 4 distal short spines; inner ramus is provided with several single and group of strong spines along margins, on tip appear 4 short spines.

Uropod 2: peduncle is shorter than rami, bearing 3 lateral spines; inner ramus is distinctly longer than outer ramus, provided with 5 lateral strong spines and distal bunch of 4 short spines (fig. 5G); 3 spines are attached along margins of outer ramus, tip is provided with 4 short strong spines.

Uropod 3 is short and strong. Peduncle is rather longer than broad (ratio: 38:25); inner ramus is short, scale-like, bearing one distal plumose seta (fig. 1J). Outer ramus is 2-articulated: first article is strong, along outer margin with 5 bunches of spines, along inner (mesial) margin appear 5 bunches of single or paired spines accompanied by single long plumose setae; second article is weak, much shorter than first article (ratio: 20:100), with 2 lateral and 2 distal short simple setae.

Telson is not elongated, hardly longer than broad (ratio: 83:80), incised over 2/3 of telson-length; each lobe is with 4 distal slender spines; facial and lateral spines are absent (fig. 5H); a pair of short unequal plumose setae are attached in the middle of outer lobes-margin.

Coxal gills are ovoid, larger on gnathopod 2 and pereopods 3-4 (figs. 2D, 3C, E), smaller on pereopods 5 and 6 (fig. 4A, C).

Oostegites are not fully developed, without marginal setae (figs. 2D, 3C, 4A).

Male 4.3 mm from G-112 [Ghition, Peloponnese]: slightly damaged, very similar to the females. Metasomal segments 1-3 are with 4 very short dorsoposterior setae each (fig. 6H); urosomal segment 1 on each dorsolateral side is with one spine-like seta; on each dorsolateral side of urosomal segment 2 appear 2-3 spines; urosomal segment 3 is naked. Urosomal segment 1 on each ventroposterior corner is with one strong spine near basis of uropod 1-peduncle.

Epimeral plates 2-3 are with acute ventroposterior corner and inclined posterior margin bearing scarce number of very short marginal setae; epimeral plate 2 is provided with one subventral spine, on epimeral plate 3 are attached 2 subventral spines (fig. 6H).

Antenna 1 likes that in female, not exceeding half of body-length; main flagellum is consisting of 16 articles [most of them are with one aesthetasc]. Accessory flagellum is as long as peduncular article 3 and consisting of 2 articles.

Antenna 2 likes that in female.

Mouthparts like these in female. Maxilla 1 inner plate is provided with 2 setae, outer plate with 7 spines [6 spines are with one lateral tooth, one spine with 3-4 teeth], palpus is 2-articulated, with 4-5 setae. Maxilliped like that in female, with elongated inner plate bearing 4 distal spines.

Coxae 1-4 are not elongated. Coxa 1 is longer than broad (ratio: 42:37), with subrounded ventroanterior corner and provided with 3-4 marginal short setae (fig. 6A). Coxa 2 is longer than broad (ratio: 53:36), bearing 5 marginal setae (fig. 6B). Coxa 3 is distinctly longer than broad (ratio: 58:44), bearing 4 marginal setae (fig. 6C). Coxa 4 is nearly as long as broad, with convex ventral margin bearing nearly 5 short setae, ventroposterior lobe is not fully developed (fig. 6D).

Coxae 5-7 like these in female, coxa 5 is distinctly shorter than coxa 4.

Gnathopods 1 and 2 are small, like these in female. Gnathopod 1: articles 2-4 like these in female; article 5 is hardly shorter than propodus (ratio: 64:68), along posterior margin with 3 transverse row of setae, at anterior margin with distal bunch of setae (fig. 6E). Propodus is poorly longer than broad (ratio: 68:64), along posterior margin with 3 transverse rows of setae (fig. 6E); palm convex, inclined nearly1/3 of propodus-length, defined on outer face by one corner S-spine accompanied laterally by 2 short L-spines and 2 facial M-setae, on inner face by one subcorner R-spine (fig. 6E. Dactylus reaching posterior margin of propodus, with one median seta at outer margin and with 3-4 short setae along inner margin.

Gnathopod 2: articles 2-4 like these in female. Article 5 is rather elongated, longer than propodus (ratio: 95:75), along posterior margin with 4 transverse rows of setae and with one submarginal seta in proximal part (fig. 6F), along anterior margin is attached one distal bunch of setae. Propodus is “ kochianus - type ”, longer than broad (ratio: 75:65), along posterior margin with 6 transverse rows of setae; palm is transverse, convex, not inclined, defined on outer face by one corner S-spine accompanied laterally by 2 Lspines and one facial M-seta (fig. 6F), at inner face by one subcorner R-spine. Dactylus reaching posterior margin of propodus, with one median seta at outer margin, and with 3-4 short setae along inner margin.

Pereopods 3-4 like these in female, dactylus bearing one spine-like short seta near basis of the nail, along outer margin appear one median seta.

Pereopods 5-6 are similar to these in female, with broad article 2 bearing several very short setae along posterior margin; ventroposterior lobe is increasing towards pereopod 7. Dactylus is slender, short, like that in female, with one short spine-like seta at inner margin near basis of the nail.

Article 2 (basipodit) of pereopod 7 is large, ovoid, longer than broad (ratio: 98:70), along anterior convex margin appear nearly 6 spine-like setae; along posterior margin are attached nearly 10 very short setae, ventroposterior lobe is well developed, exceeding ventral tip of article 3 (fig. 6G); articles 3-7 like these in female.

Pleopods 1-3 are with 2 retinacula; peduncle of pleopods like these in female.

Uropods 1-2 like these in female. Uropod 1 peduncle is with dorsoexternal and dorsointernal row of spines; inner ramus is slightly longer than outer one, both rami are provided with lateral and distal short spines.

Uropod 2 is with inner ramus remarkably longer than outer one.

Uropod 3 likes that in female, short and strong, distal article of outer ramus is short.

Telson was damaged, longer than broad, deeply incised, longer than broad (ratio: 80:64), each lobe is with 4 distal spines (distal parts of these spines are broken); a pair of short unequal plumose setae is attached near the middle of external margin of each lobe (fig. 6 I).

Coxal gills like these in female.

The female 4.6 mm from Ghition: similar to these of Glikorizo. Urosomal segment 1 on each dorsolateral side with one slender spine-like seta; urosomal segment 2 on each dorsolateral side with 3 spines and one seta. Inner ramus of uropod 1 distinctly longer than outer ramus. Maxilla 1 and maxilliped like these from Glikorizo. Propodus of gnathopod 1 along posterior margin with 4-5 transverse rows of setae, that of gnathopod 2 with 8 transverse rows of setae.

Some of small specimens from Ghition are with slightly more obtuse epimeral plates or urosomal segment 1 on each ventroposterior corner is provided with 2 spines near basis of the nail. Maxilla 1 outer plate is always with 6 uni-toothed spines and one spine with 3-4 small teeth.

Holotype: Female 4.3 mm from Glikorizo. Holotype is temporarily preserved in Karaman`s Collection in Podgorica, Montenegro.

Remarks and affinities

Niphargus fautor is rather similar to the species Niphargus melticensis Dancau & Andreev 1973 described and known from Bulgaria [loc. typ.: well in Sokolovo, Lowec district, Bulgaria]. This species has been described under the name Niphargus kochianus melticensis , ssp. n., but large differences between N. kochianus kochianus Bate 1859 [loc. typ. S. England] and melticensis showed that melticensis is a distinct species. N. melticensis is provided with “ kochianus - type ” of gnathopod 2, slender dactylus of pereopods 3-7, ovoid lobed article 2 of pereopods 5-7, acute epimeral plates and short uropod 3 similar to these of N. fautor , but it remarkably differs from N. fautor by equal rami of uropods 1-2, much more slender dactylus of pereopods 3-7, very elongated article 5 of gnathopods 1 and 2, different telson, etc.

Niphargus skopljensis S. Karaman 1929 known from Macedonia and Greece (S. Karaman 1958) (loc. typ.: Skoplje, Macedonia) is rather similar to our species (uropod 3, telson, acute epimeral plates, dactylus of gnathopods 1-2 with one median seta along outer margin, etc.), but it differs from N. fautor by remarkably more rhomboid propodus of gnathopods 1-2, longer coxae, pectinate spines on maxilla 1 outer plate, etc.

From Greece is known another small species with one seta on dactylus of gnathopods 1-2, Niphargus karkabounasi Ntakis et al. 1915 [loc. typ.: Agioi Theodoroi, Korinthos, Peloponnese, Greece], but this species differs from N. fautor by elongated second article of uropod 3 outer ramus, by presence of 3 setae on inner plate of maxilla 1, non acute epimeral plates, etc.

Large ovoid article 2 of pereopod 7, short uropod 3, rather “ kochianus - type ” of gnathopods 1-2, slender dactylus of all pereopods and short palpus of maxilla 1 are present also in Niphargus phreaticolus Motas et al. 1948 , from Romania [loc. typ.: valley of torrent Moasa , Sebesul de Sua, Massif of Surul, Romania], but this species differs by elevated number of retinacula on pleopods 1-3, pectinate spines on outer plate of maxilla 1, etc.

In Romania is present Niphargus petrosani Dobreanu & Manolache, 1933 [loc. typ.: Petrosani, Romania], small species with short uropod 3, acute epimeral plates, rather “ kochianus - type ” gnathopods 1-2, lobed article 2 of pereopod 7, pleopods with 2 retinacula and maxilla 1 with uni-toothed spines of maxilla 1 outer plate, etc., but this species differs from N. fautor by presence of strong lateral spines on telson, etc.

The lack of detailed description of numerous taxa with “ kochianus - type ” of gnathopods and short uropod 3 from Romania and some adjacent regions (see Carausu et al. 1955; Ntakis et al. 2015), make difficult final conclusion about taxonomic relations of all these taxa to each other and to N. fautor .

Figures

Figure 1. Niphargus fautor, sp. n., Glikorizo, Arta, Epirus, female 4.3 mm (holotype): A= head; B-C= antenna 1; D= aesthetasc on antenna 1; E= antenna 2; F= labrum; G= mandibular palpus, outer face [A= facial A-setae; D= marginal D-setae; E= distal E-setae]; F= labrum; H= right mandible with incisor, lacinia mobilis and rakers; I= maxilliped; J= uropod 3.

Figure 2. Niphargus fautor, sp. n., Glikorizo, Arta, Epirus, female 4.3 mm (holotype): A-B= gnathopod 1, outer face; C= distal corner of gnathopod 1 propodus, outer face [S= corner S-spine; L= lateral L-spines; R= subcorner R-spine, M= facial M-seta]; D-E= gnathopod 2, outer face; F= distal corner of gnathopod 2 propodus, inner face [S= corner Sspine; L= lateral L-spines; R= subcorner R-spine; M= facial M-setae].

Figure 3. Niphargus fautor, sp. n., Glikorizo, Arta, Epirus, female 4.3 mm (holotype): A= labium; B= maxilla 2; C-D= pereopod 3; E-F= pereopod 4; G= epimeral plates 1-3.

Figure 4. Niphargus fautor, sp. n., Glikorizo, Arta, Epirus, female 4.3 mm (holotype): A-B= pereopod 5; C-D= pereopod 6; E-F= pereopod 7.

Figure 5. Niphargus fautor, sp. n., Glikorizo, Arta, Epirus, female 4.3 mm (holotype): A= maxilla 1; B= peduncle of pleopod 1; C= peduncle of pleopod 2; D= peduncle of pleopod 3; E= urosome with uropods 1-2; F= uropod 1; G= uropod 2.

Figure 6. Niphargus fautor, sp. n., Ghition, Peloponnese, male 4.2 mm: A= coxa 1; B= coxa 2; C= coxa 3; D= coxa 4; E= carpus and propodus of gnathopod 1, outer face; F= carpus and propodus of gnathopod 2, outer face; G= article 2 (basipodit) of pereopod 7; H= epimeral plates 2-3; I= telson.