Compoceration, Just, 2009

Just, Jean, 2009, Compoceration garyi, a new genus and species of Paramunnidae (Crustacea, Isopoda, Asellota), from south-eastern Australia., Memoirs of Museum Victoria 66 (1), pp. 81-84 : 81

Compoceration gen. nov.

Type species. Compoceration garyi sp. nov. Here designated.

Diagnosis. Body generally tapering from pereonite 3. Eyestalks elongate, overreaching pereonite 1 lateral margins. Frontal margin of head with two lateral forward pointing spines and upright outgrowths at base of spines. Pereonites laterally extended into broad spines. Coxae hidden under extended tergites in dorsal view. Pleotelson lateral margins denticulate, posterior margin produced. Antennula article 1 length and width subequal to 2. Antenna article 3 tubular. Mandible palp present, stubby, molar long, cylindrical throughout, with transverse grinding surface. Pereopod I carpus oval, with two straight robust setae on posterior margin; propodus narrowing distally to insertion of dactylus. Female operculum ovoid. Uropods on dorsal surface of pleotelson.

Remarks. It should be borne in mind that the diagnosis is based on the female of the species. Males should be identifiable on the shape and armature of the head, the eyestalks and the general shape of the body. Lateral pereonite 1 and spines on the remainder may be more strongly developed in males, though, and pereopod I may differ significantly, especially the shape of the carpus.

Etymology. The new genus name is composed of the Greek Κομπος (kompos = knot or lump) and ΚΈρατο (kerato = horn) with the diminutive ending –ion, thus a little horn with a knot, alluding to the complex head spines.