Pseudolitochira crinita, Ng & Clark, 2022

Ng, Peter K. L. & Clark, Paul F., 2022, Descriptions of three new Pseudolitochira Ward, 1942 species (Crustacea: Brachyura: Pilumnidae) from the West Pacific, Journal of Natural History 56 (5 - 8), pp. 349-364 : 360

Pseudolitochira crinita sp. nov.

( Figures 2b ; 5e–h ; 6b, c, e, g )

Material examined

Holotype. 1 female, 10.0 × 6.8 mm, ZRC 2021.298 , station PR108, west Wongat Island , Papua New Guinea, 5.135°S, 145.825°E, 2–30 m, coll. A. Anker, Expédition PAPUA NIUGINI, 26 November 2012.

Diagnosis

Carapace transversely ovate, width 1.47 times length ( Figures 2b , and 5e ); surface covered with short, relatively dense pubescence which obscures surface and margins, with numerous long simple setae along margins which partially obscure margin and surface ( Figures 2b , and 5e ); anterolateral margin bidentate, with 2 small but clearly defined sharp teeth ( Figure 5e ); posterior margin of epistome with median lobe flattened, almost level with endostome, lateral margin gently concave ( Figure 5f, g ); third maxilliped with short, subquadrate ischium, merus quadrate, subdistal margin with low granules ( Figures 5h , and 7c ); major chela with fingers about half length of palm ( Figure 6b ); ambulatory legs with merus and propodus distinctly slenderer ( Figure 6f ); vulvae large, ovate, positioned close to median part of sternite 6, opening obliquely ( Figure 6e ).

Etymology

The name is derived from the Latin for fluffy (crinitus), alluding to the appearance of the species.

Remarks

For comparisons with congeners, see Discussion.

Figures

Figure 2. Overall dorsal views. (a) Pseudolitochira pacifica sp. nov., female, 5.2 × 3.5 mm, ZRC 2017.190, Vanuatu; (b) P. crinita sp. nov., female, 10.0 × 6.8 mm, ZRC 2021.298, Papua New Guinea.

Figure 5. (a–d) Pseudolitochira pacifica sp. nov., female, 5.2 × 3.5 mm, ZRC 2017.190, Vanuatu; (e–h) P. crinita sp. nov., female, 10.0 × 6.8 mm, ZRC 2021.298, Papua New Guinea. (a, e) dorsal view of carapace; (b, c, f, g) frontal view of cephalothorax; (d, h) left third maxilliped.

Figure 6. (a, d, f) Pseudolitochira pacifica sp. nov., female, 5.2 × 3.5 mm, ZRC 2017.190,Vanuatu; (b, c, e, g) P. crinita sp. nov., female, 10.0 × 6.8 mm, ZRC 2021.298, Papua New Guinea. (a) chelae; (b) right chela; (c) left chela; (d, e) thoracic sternum and vulvae; (f) right fourth ambulatory leg; (g) right fourth ambulatory leg (merus denuded).

Figure 7. (a, d–h) Pseudolitochira maenosonoi sp. nov. (a) holotype male, 4.5 × 2.8 mm, RUMF-ZC -5196, Okinawa. (b) P. pacifica sp. nov., female, 5.2 × 3.5 mm, ZRC 2017.190, Vanuatu; (c) P. crinita sp. nov., female, 10.0 × 6.8 mm, ZRC 2021.298, Papua New Guinea. (a–c) third maxilliped; (d) pleon and telson; (e) whole G1; (f–g) distal tip of G1; H, G2; (a–d) denuded. Scale bars: a–d = 0.5 mm; e, h = 0.2 mm; f, g = 0.1 mm.