Mnementh, Martens, 2007

Martens, Koen, 2007, On a new species and genus in the Cypridini (Crustacea, Ostracoda, Cyprididae) from South Africa, with a phylogenetic analysis of the tribe and a discussion on the genus concept in this group, Journal of Natural History 41 (5 - 8), pp. 381-399 : 384-385

Mnementh n. gen.

Type species. Mnementh brennei n. sp. (here designated).

Derivation of name

Named after the bronze dragon Mnementh , mate to Ramoth, last remaining golden queen dragon on the planet of Pern. I herewith renew my tribute to their creator, Mrs Anne McCaffrey.

Diagnosis

A cypridinid genus, globular and large. RV with frontal and caudal selvage marginally inwardly displaced, and with anterior valve margin not ventrally protruding; ventro-caudal part of calcified inner lamella linearly elevated, not running parallel to valve margin. LV without inwardly displaced selvage and without large inner list.

T 1 with penultimate segment divided and with seta d 1 two to three times as long as seta

d 2. Hemipenis with ventral protuberance on the medial shield.

Differential diagnosis

Mnementh n. gen. clearly belongs in the Cypridini , as it has three to five additional ‘‘8’’-shaped loops of the post-labyrinthal spermiductus in the hemipenis. It can be distinguished from the other four genera in this tribe by a mixture of features: by the divided penultimate segment of the T 2 from Cypris and Pseudocypris ; by the sub-marginal selvages in both valves from Cypris , Ramotha , and Globocypris ; by the absence of a large inner list on the LV from Pseudocypris ; by the fact that seta d 1 is more than twice the length of d 2 from Cypris and Pseudocypris ; and by the absence of the additional lateral setae on the T 1-palp in the female from Globocypris . The new genus, Mnementh , shows morphological characteristics which classify it in between Pseudocypris and Ramotha , but it also has autapomorphic features, e.g. the additional ventral protuberance on the medial shield of the hemipenis which is thus far unique in the tribe. This ventral protuberance might actually be valid at the specific level only. Only the discovery of a second species in this genus will decide on this issue.