Hemilepistus taftanicus, Kashani, Ghasem M., Sari, Alireza & Hosseinie, Shidokht, 2010

Kashani, Ghasem M., Sari, Alireza & Hosseinie, Shidokht, 2010, Terrestrial isopods of the subgenus Hemilepistus (Hemilepistus) Budde-Lund, 1879 (Isopoda: Oniscidea) from Iran, Zootaxa 2549, pp. 54-68 : 64-66

Hemilepistus taftanicus n. sp.

Figs 8 , 9

Material examined. Holotype: male, 16 mm, [26 km] N of Khash in way to Zahedan around Taftan Mount, 28˚22.7'N, 60˚59.9'E, 29 February 2008 ( ZUTC Iso.1001).

Paratypes: 1 male and 1 female, same data as for holotype ( SMNS T606); 1 male and 1 female, same data as for holotype ( SMF 34829); 1 male and 2 females, same data as for holotype ( ZUTC Iso.1002), 2 males and 2 females, [25 km] N of Khash in way to Zahedan, 28˚22.8'N, 61˚00.8'E, 30 February 2008 ( ZUTC Iso.1003).

Diagnosis. Head with 20–26 large tubercles, forming a large circle in middle surrounding at least two large tubercles, and two (not one) rows of tubercles extending to postero-lateral corners of head ( Fig. 8 A, B). Two large tubercles on dorso-median portion of pereonites 1–4 ( Fig. 8 B). Fourteen large tubercles along posterior margin of pereonites 1–3. Three rows of 2–3 large tubercles on lateral margins of pereonite 1 setting at right angles to posterior tubercles ( Fig. 8 C). Pereonite 4 with faint traces of tuberosity.

Description. Maximum length 18 mm. Color gray, tubercles (except head) and epimera off white, anterior half of pereon much lighter.

Head with 20–26 large tubercles and many smaller tubercles. Eyes with 26–27 large ommatidia. Antenna long and slender with flagellum of two equal size articles ( Fig. 9 D); flagellum to peduncle segment 5 ratio, 3:5. Pereon somewhat rectangular.

Pereonite 1 with 14 well developed tubercles along posterior margin; two large tubercles on the dorsomedian portion just in front of posterior ones; three rows of 2–3 large tubercles on lateral margins. Anterolateral projection of epimera short with rounded apex. Pereonite 2 and 3 with similar arrangement of tubercles as pereonite 1 but smaller in size and with fewer marginal tubercles. Pereon tergite 4 with faint traces of tuberosity. Pereon tergites 5–7 smooth, slightly broader than 1–4. Pleon short, smooth and narrower than pereon.

Telson triangular with margins slightly concave and narrow apex, almost 2 times as wide as long ( Fig. 8 D).

Pereopod 1 basis elongated; ischium short and triangular; merus and carpus equipped with strong spines; carpus with depression on rostral surface equipped with slender scales; propodus short and narrow ( Fig. 9 A).

Pereopod 7 basis elongated; ischium triangular with straight sternal margin; merus and carpus equipped with strong spines on sternal and distal margins; propodus narrow and long; dactylus with slender scales on sternal surface ( Fig. 9 B, C).

Pleopods 1–2 exopods with well developed pseudotracheae ( Fig. 9 E, G); pleopods 3–5 exopods with small pseudotracheae.

Uropodal protopod with conspicuous incision on lateral margin; exopod short and conical, endopod with a proximal connection to protopod.

Pereopods without particular sexual specializations. In male, pleopod 1 exopod with two lobes in posterior margin ( Fig. 9 E); apex of endopod finger-like, equipped with spines ( Fig. 9 F); pleopod 2 exopod large with long outer lobe ( Fig. 9 G).

Etymology. The name refers to the nearest and highest Mount, Taftan, in the region where the species was found.

Distribution. Southeast Iran.

Figures

FIGURE 8. Hemilepistus taftanicus n. sp., holotype, male, 16 mm. A, whole body; B, head and four first pereonites, lateral view; C, head and first four pereonites, dorsal view; D, pleon.

FIGURE 9. Hemilepistus taftanicus n. sp., male. A, pereopod 1; B, pereopod 7; C, ischium pereopod 7 (caudal view); D, antenna; E, pleopod 1 exopod; F, pleopod 1 endopod and enlarged apex; G, pleopod 2 exopod. Scale: 1 mm for A – D and 0.5 mm for E – G.