Matralona, Damme, Kay Van & Dumont, Henri J., 2009

Damme, Kay Van & Dumont, Henri J., 2009, Notes on chydorid endemism in continental Africa: Matralona gen. n., a monotypic Alonine from the Fouta Djalon Plateau (Guinea, West Africa) (Crustacea: Cladocera: Anomopoda), Zootaxa 2051, pp. 26-40 : 27

Matralona gen. n.

Monotypic genus. Type species: Alona simonei Dumont, 1981 . Species name here emended to Alona simoneae , because the species was named after a woman (Article 32.5.1, ICZN 1999).

Short diagnosis. Small-sized species (0.27mm) with two main head pores and small pores with no larger structures underneath. Two main head pores narrowly connected, lateral pores very close, at one IP from midline. Carapace rather oval, dorsum and ventral margin moderately concave. No dorsal keel present and ornamentation a mix of lines and tubercles. Eye and ocellus present (eye larger). Rostrum moderately elongate, reaching as deep as ventral point of valves. Not strongly curved. Labral keel exposed in lateral view. Two to three denticles on posteroventral corner of valves. Labrum with ventral setules. Antennule typical, with sensory seta at about one fourth from apex, no tubercles, projections or elongate aesthetascs. Antenna with spinal formula (exo/endo) 001/101, setal formula 013/003 (first exopod seta absent). Postabdomen twice as long as wide, with deep preanal corner and long lateral fascicles, basal spine as long as claw width. Six limbs. P1−P5 with epipodites with long fingerlike projections. P1 with dorsal seta in first endite present, no anterior setae on limb, IDL with two setae with long setules, ODL seta with long setules; accessory seta present; long bifurcate epipodite on P1. P2 with seta on exopodite, eight heterogenous scrapers, small and stout towards gnathobase; seven filter setae. P3 with six exopodite setae and endites with full set of setae, seven setae in filter comb. P4 with six setae of which last two narrow; modified flaming torch setae in endite with last two strongly reduced and five setae in filter comb. Fifth limb with long fourth exopodite seta and two processes and three setae in gnathobase. Sixth limb large, oval round and setulated.

Etymology. Prefix derived from “mater-“, suffix from “ Alona ”. The name is more lyrical than cladistic. In Latin, “Mater” is a respectful term used for ancient deities or goddesses. In this case, it refers to the long isolation and survival of the animal in Africa, the only remaining of its kind on the continent. Only females are known.