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Accepted by J. Svavarsson: 28 Feb. 2008; published: 2 May 2008 17
ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)
Copyright © 2008 · Magnolia Press
Zootaxa 1761: 17–29 (2008)
www.mapress.com/zootaxa/
A re-description of Accalathura crenulata (Richardson, 1901) from type
material and the description of two new Accalathura species
(Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoida)
RACHAEL A. KING
Southeastern Regional Taxonomic Center, Marine Resources Research Institute, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources,
Charleston, SC, USA. E-mail: KingR@dnr.sc.gov
Abstract
Two new species of leptanthurid isopods in the genus Accalathura are described: A. schotteae, from collections off Pan-
ama and A. kensleyi from Belize (material previously identified as A. crenulata in the collections of the National
Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.). The type species of the genus, Calathura crenulata Richardson, 1901, is
redescribed from type material and a key to the species of Accalathura in the Caribbean and an adjacent region is given.
Key words: Cymothoida, Anthuroidea, Leptanthuridae, Accalathura, Caribbean, A. schotteae, A. kensleyi, A. crenulata
Introduction
The genus Accalathura Barnard, 1925 contains 28 species, mostly distributed within the Indo-Pacific (Poore
& Lew Ton, 1990), but with two known species (A. crenulata (Richardson, 1901) and A. setosa Kensley,
1984) in the Caribbean and adjacent region (northwestern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico) and one (A. gigantis-
sima Kussakin, 1967) in the Antarctic (Poore, 1981, 2001). Accalathura species are easily distinguished from
other anthuroid genera by the long, multiarticulate flagellum present on both antennae.
The type species of Accalathura, A. crenulata, is a commonly recorded species that has been frequently
identified from the northwestern Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean since its original description by
Richardson (1901) from the Bahamas (Barnard, 1925; Menzies & Glynn, 1968; Müller, 1991; Poore, 2001).
Richardson’s (1901) description of the species is considered inadequate by modern standards, yet no sub-
sequent authors have fully redescribed the species based on type specimens or collections from across its dis-
tribution. Barnard (1925) gave a brief account of the species based on specimens from various Caribbean
localities; Menzies & Glynn (1968) presented a diagnosis using Puerto Rico specimens and provided new
illustrations; Menzies & Kruczynski (1983) noted male characteristics, such as the setation of the antennae
and the shape of the appendix masculina on pleopod 2, from Gulf of Mexico specimens; Müller (1991)
described a male and immature specimens from Martinique. Within these widespread identifications of A.
crenulata, distinct morphological differences were noted. Barnard (1925) described major differences in ante-
rior pereopod morphology between geographically separated populations that no one subsequently noted;
Barnard (1925) and later Menzies & Kruczynski (1983) illustrated an appendix masculina of the male that is
distinctly different from the one drawn by Kensley (1984) and by Müller (1991).
Clearly, a complete description of the type of A. crenulata is needed and is provided here from the existing
type material. An examination of geographically widespread specimens was also deemed necessary to under-
stand the differences in morphology that have been noted historically. Fresh material from the Pacific coast of
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Panama, located in the collections of the Invertebrate Museum of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmo-
spheric Science, University of Miami, was available for examination, as was the extensive historical collec-
tion of Accalathura material from the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian (NMNH), from
collections in Mexico, Belize, Cuba, Panama, Aruba, Martinique, the Florida coast of the Gulf of Mexico, and
the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States. In studying this material, two new species were discov-
ered from specimens that were previously unidentified, or identified as A. crenulata or A. cf. crenulata.
Methods
Specimens were examined from the collections of the National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.,
the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, and the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources (Southeastern Regional Taxonomic Center). Illustrations were made using a
compound microscope with camera lucida attachment.
Family Leptanthuridae Poore, 2001
Genus Accalathura Barnard, 1925
Accalathura Barnard, 1925: 147.—Menzies & Glynn, 1968: 33.—Poore, 1980: 58–59.—Poore, 1981: 57–58.—Kus-
sakin, 1982: 39.—Menzies & Kruczynski, 1983: 35.—Kensley, 1982: 169.—Poore & Lew Ton, 1990: 381.—Poore,
2001: 135–136.
Type species. Calathura crenulata Richardson, 1901: 509–510.—1905:74–75, figs 58–61.
Remarks. Poore (2001) provides a complete diagnosis of this genus.
Accalathura crenulata (Richardson, 1901)
(Fig. 1)
Calathura crenulata Richardson, 1901: 509–510.—1905: 74–75, figs 58–61.
Accalathura crenulata (in part) Barnard, 1925: 147–148, pl. 4, fig. 18.
Material examined. SYNTYPE, USNM 23900, between Nassau and Andros Island, Bahamas, in Gulf weed,
38.4 m, coll. H. Richardson, 1875, 1 ovigerous female (30 mm).
Other material. USNM 189044, Caledonia Bay, Panama, 3 April 1939, 2 immature females (15 mm).
USNM 273528, narrow shelf southeast of Bourge De Casse Pilote, Martinique, 49–69 m, coll. University of
Miami, otter trawl, 10 July 1969, 1 immature female (19 mm).
Diagnosis. Antennae 1 and 2 similar length; antenna 1 flagellum more than 1.5 times as long as peduncle;
antenna 2 flagellum as long as combined lengths of peduncular articles 3–5. Pereopod 1 propodus 2 times as
long as broad (excluding ventral lobe). Pereopod 2 propodus 2.1 times as long as broad. Uropodal endopod
broad and rounded, 1.5 times as long as broad, with setae concentrated apically. Telson broadest at mid-
length, tapered to blunt point.
Description. Female. Head, pereon and pleon without distinct pigmentation evident. Clusters of long
setae present laterally on pereon at articulations of pereopods (setae missing from type specimen, setal inserts
visible).
Antenna 1 and 2 similar length. Antenna 1 peduncle with articles 2 and 3 similar length, flagellum longer
than peduncle, with 19 articles. Antenna 2 peduncular article 3 shortest, article 4 and 5 similar length, flagel-
lum similar length to peduncle, with 15 articles.
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TWO NEW SPECIES OF ACCALATHURA
FIGURE 1. Accalathura crenulata (Richardson, 1901), USNM 23900, syntype female, 30 mm (circles show setal
inserts, where setae are missing). A, whole animal, dorsal view; B, pereopod 1; C, pereopod 2; D, dorsal view of telson
and uropods; E, distal end of uropodal peduncle and endopod.
Pereopod 1 merus broader than long and enclosing carpus; propodus 2 times as long as broad, with proxi-
mal ventral lobe, ventral margin between lobe and dactylus excavated, with evidence of setation along ventral
margin (damage has removed all setae). Pereopod 2 basis and ischium with paired rows of long dorsal setae;
merus broader than long and enclosing carpus, with long dorsal and ventral setae; carpus with long ventral
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setae; propodus 2.1 times as long as broad, ventral margin with six robust setae, five most proximal setae vary
in lengths (middle setae largest) and possess setule at mid-length, sixth most distal seta trifid, lacking setule at
mid-length. Pereopod 3 basis and ischium with paired rows of long dorsal setae; merus longer than broad and
covering carpus, with long dorsal and ventral setae; carpus with long ventral setae; propodus 2.5 times as long
as broad, ventral margin with seven robust setae, six most proximal setae vary in lengths (middle setae largest)
and possess setule at mid-length, seventh most distal seta is split distally into four points and lacking setule at
mid-length. Pereopods 4–7 becoming more elongate posteriorly, with numerous robust setae on carpus and
propodus.
Pleopod 1 exopod 2.1 times as long as broad, with at least 50 distal long plumose setae; endopod shorter
than exopod, 4.5 times as long as broad, with 10 distal long plumose setae. Uropodal peduncle inner distal
margin blunt (not acute or raised), outer distal margin acute and slightly raised, endopod bluntly rounded, 1.5
times as long as broad, with setae concentrated apically. Uropodal exopod reaching just past peduncle of
endopod, dorsal and ventral margins with long plumose and simple setae (simple setae are concentrated api-
cally). Telson broadest at mid-length, 2 times as long as broad, tapered to blunt point, with long simple setae
distally, distal 1/3 margin serrate.
Male. Unknown.
Distribution. Bahamas (type locality); Martinique; Caledonia Bay, Panama.
Remarks. There are several factors that have made this species description difficult. Only one specimen
of type material exists (USNM 23900): a single ovigerous female that is currently labeled as a syntype but is,
according to Richardson (1901; 1905), the specimen upon which she based her description. Due to the age and
fragility of the specimen it was not dissected in this study so certain characters such as the mouthparts cannot
be described. Rather than being representative of a large range of specimens, the syntype female specimen
seems to be quite unlike the many other specimens examined in this study. The broad uropodal endopod and
the relative lengths of the antennae (antennae 1 and 2 are of a similar length) make it distinct. Three other
specimens, a female from Martinique (USNM 273528) and two immature females from Caledonia Bay, Pan-
ama (USNM 189044) could be reliably identified in this study as A. crenulata. A lack of geographic coverage
within the NMNH collections, for this species in its type locality (Bahamas), compounded the problem, as no
other specimens from the type locality were available for comparison. There is also damage (loss of setae) to
the type (loss of setation of the uropods and pereopods) that is likely due to the effects of preservation and the
age of the specimen. Nevertheless, the diagnostic characters clearly show a distinct species that is likely to be
distributed throughout the Caribbean and across into the Pacific Ocean adjacent to the Panama Canal.
Accalathura kensleyi n. sp.
(Figs 2–3)
Material examined. HOLOTYPE, USNM 211350 (ex 211350), ovigerous female, 27 mm, Carrie Bow Bay,
Belize, Stn. AC-320, 321, 1–30 m, coll. 1979. PARATYPE, male, UNSM 1111737 (ex 211350), 25 mm, Car-
rie Bow Bay, Belize, Stn. AC-320, 321, 1–30 m, coll. 1979.
Other material. USNM 9121, off Cape San Antonio, Cuba, 9 m, coll. W. Nye, R/V Albatross, 7 May
1884, 1 immature female (20 mm). USNM 9581, off Cabo Catoche, Mexico, Stn. 2363, coll. R/V Albatross,
30 January 1885, 1 male (25 mm). USNM 211348, Carrie Bow Bay, Belize, 0–0.5 m, coll. B.F. Kensley,
March 1980, males (9–25 mm), females (22–25 mm), immature females (15–20 mm), juveniles (5–7 mm).
USNM 211349, Carrie Bow Bay, Belize, 0–0.5 m, coll. B.F. Kensley, March 1980, 1 immature female (20
mm), many juveniles (5–9 mm). USNM 1111738, Carrie Bow Bay, Belize, 1–30 m, coll. C. Reutzler, 1979, 2
immature females (12 mm), 3 juveniles (5–7 mm).
Diagnosis. Antenna 1 shorter than antenna 2; antenna 1 flagellum at least 2 times as long as peduncle;
antenna 2 flagellum distinctly longer than the combined lengths of peduncular articles 3–5. Pereopod 1 propo-
Zootaxa 1761 © 2008 Magnolia Press · 21
TWO NEW SPECIES OF ACCALATHURA
dus 2.2 times as long as broad (excluding ventral lobe). Pereopod 2 propodus 3 times as long as broad. Uropo-
dal endopod narrow (2 times as long as broad) and tapered, with setae distributed laterally and distally. Telson
broadest proximally, tapered to sub-acute point. Male pleopod 2 appendix masculina inflated sub-apically,
narrowing to sub-acute point.
Description. Female. Head, pereon and pleon with dorsal pigmentation. Clusters of long setae present lat-
erally on pereon at articulations of pereopods.
Antenna 1 shorter than antenna 2. Antenna 1 peduncle with articles 2 and 3 similar length, flagellum
longer than peduncle, with more than 27 articles. Antenna 2 peduncular article 3 shortest, article 4 and 5 simi-
lar length, flagellum slightly longer than peduncle, with 34 articles.
Mandibular palp second article with six long setae, third article with longitudinal row of 31 short robust
setae and one long apical robust seta with associated short single seta. Maxilla 1 slender and elongate with dis-
tal serration. Maxilliped palp, article 1 with two rows of long setae on inner edge, article 2 with seta at mid-
length and 18 long terminal setae; endite not reaching past article 2 of palp, with subterminal long seta.
Pereopod 1 basis and ischium with rows of long dorsal setae; merus broader than long and enclosing car-
pus, with long dorsal and ventral setae; carpus ventral margin with a cluster of robust setulate setae and long
setae; propodus 2.2 times as long as broad, with proximal ventral lobe, ventral margin between lobe and dac-
tylus excavated, with long simple setae, long tuberculate setae and short robust setulate setae along ventral
margin and excavated section. Pereopod 2 basis and ischium with paired rows of long dorsal setae; merus as
long as broad and enclosing carpus, with long dorsal and ventral setae; carpus with long ventral setae; propo-
dus 3 times as long as broad, ventral margin with eight robust setae, six most proximal setae vary in lengths
(fourth and fifth largest) and possess setule at mid-length, seventh and eighth most distal setae are trifid and
bifid and lack setule at mid-length. Pereopod 3 basis and ischium with paired rows of long dorsal setae; merus
longer than broad and covering carpus, with long dorsal and ventral setae; carpus with long ventral setae; pro-
podus 4.6 times as long as broad, ventral margin with seven robust setae possessing setule at mid-length.
Pereopods 4–7 becoming more elongate posteriorly, with numerous short robust setae on carpus and propo-
dus.
Pleopod 1 exopod 2.2 times as long as broad, with at least 45 distal long plumose setae; endopod shorter
than exopod, 4.5 times as long as broad, with 10 distal long plumose setae. Pleopods 2–5 shorter than pleopod
1, exopod and endopod similar size, endopod with around 12 long plumose setae, exopod with 12–16 long
plumose setae.
Uropodal peduncle inner distal margin raised, outer distal margin acute and distinctly raised, endopod dis-
tally rounded, 2 times as long as broad, with setae distributed laterally and distally. Uropodal exopod reaching
past peduncle of endopod, dorsal and ventral margins with long plumose and simple setae (simple setae con-
centrated apically). Te ls on broadest proximally, 2.6 times as long as broad, tapered to sub-acute point, with
long simple setae distally, distal 1/3 margin with some slight serration between setae.
Male. (Sexually dimorphic characters) Antenna 1 peduncle similar to female, flagellum with at least 41
articles, articles 2–18 with dense clusters of aesthetascs and setae or in larger males (>20 mm) with aes-
thetascs less abundant or lacking. Antenna 2 peduncle similar to female, flagellum with at least 52 articles.
Pereopod 1 propodus varying with size of adult male: propodus robust, with proximal lobe (9 mm male),
without proximal lobe (>15 mm males). Pereopod 2 propodus varying with size of adult male: propodus as for
female (9 mm males), with developed proximal lobe (>15 mm males). Pereopod 3 propodus varying with size
of adult males: without proximal lobe (9 mm males), with proximal lobe (>20 mm males).
Appendix masculina inflated sub-apically and narrowing to a terminal sub-acute point. Size of appendix
masculina (relative to endopod and exopod rami) varies with size of adult male: in smaller males appendix
masculina reaches past rami, in larger males similar in length to rami.
Distribution. Belize (type locality); Cuba; Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico; US Virgin Islands (Barnard,
1925) (see Discussion).
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FIGURE 2. Accalathura kensleyi n. sp., USNM 211350, holotype female, 27 mm (circles show setal inserts, where setae
have been removed for clarity). A, dorsal view of head and pereonite 1; B, pereopod 1 (with enlargement of long tuber-
culate seta at left and robust setulate seta at right); C, pereopod 2; D, pereopod 3; E, maxilliped; F, mandible; G, pereopod
4 (dactylus damaged); H, telson; I, uropodal peduncle and endopod; J, uropodal exopod; K, distal end of pereopod 7.
Zootaxa 1761 © 2008 Magnolia Press · 23
TWO NEW SPECIES OF ACCALATHURA
FIGURE 3. Accalathura kensleyi n. sp. USNM 211350, paratype male, 25 mm (circles show setal inserts, where setae
have been removed for clarity). A, pereopod 1 (15 mm TL); B, pereopod 1 (>20 mm TL); C, distal end of pereopod 2 (15
mm TL); D, distal end of pereopod 2 (>20 mm TL); E, distal end of uropodal peducle and endopod (>20 mm TL); F,
antenna 1; G, antenna 2; J, pleopod 2 with appendix masculina. USNM #####, holotype female, 27 mm, H, pleopod 1; I,
pleopod 2 (peduncle missing).
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Etymology. This species is named for Dr. Brian Kensley, formerly of the National Museum of Natural
History (Smithsonian), Washington D.C., in tribute to his substantial work on anthuroid isopods.
Remarks. The males of A. kensleyi n. sp. exhibit marked secondary sexual characters similar to those that
have been noted in two other species of Accalathura (A. normani Nierstrasz, 1941 from the Flores Sea and A.
zoisia Poore & Lew Ton, 1990 from Western Australia). Specifically, in A. kensleyi n. sp. mature males (those
with a developed appendix masculina) exist over a range of sizes, from 9 mm to 25 mm, exhibiting differences
in the morphology of the antennae, anterior pereopods and appendix masculina, compared to the females and
among male size classes (detailed in the species description).
Accalathura schotteae n. sp.
(Figs 4–5)
Accalathura crenulata (in part).––– Menzies & Kruczynski, 1983: 35–38, fig 12.
Material examined. HOLOTYPE, USNM 1111739, UMML 32.9263, Uva Reef, off Panama, 7°49'N,
81°46'W, 3 m, coll. P.W. Glynn, 7 March 2003, 1 ovigerous female (12 mm). PARATYPE, UMML 32.9264,
Uva Reef, off Panama, 7°49'N, 81°46'W, 3 m, coll. P.W. Glynn, 9 March 2003, 1 mature male (8.5 mm).
Other material. UMML 32.9260, Uva Reef, off Panama, 7°49'N, 81°46'W, 3 m, coll. P.W. Glynn, 7 March
2003, 4 immature specimens (11–13 mm). UMML 32.9261, Uva Reef, off Panama, 7°49'N, 81°46'W, 3 m,
coll. P.W. Glynn, 7 March 2003, 1 immature specimen (10 mm). UMML 32.9265, Uva Reef, off Panama,
7°49'N, 81°46'W, 3 m, coll. P.W. Glynn, 15 September 2003, 1 immature specimen (13 mm). UMML
32.9267, Uva Reef, off Panama, 7°49'N, 81°46'W, 3 m, coll. P.W. Glynn, 8 March 2003, 2 immature females
(13 m), 1 juvenile (10 mm). UMML 32.9268, Uva Reef, off Panama, 7°49'N, 81°46'W, 3 m, coll. P.W. Glynn,
9 March 2003, 1 juvenile (10 mm). UMML 32.9269, Uva Reef, off Panama, 7°49'N, 81°46'W, 3 m, coll. P.W.
Glynn, 5 March 2003, non ovigerous female (13 mm). UMML 32.9270, Uva Reef, off Panama, 7°49'N,
81°46'W, 3 m, coll. P.W. Glynn, 15 September 2003, immature female (11 mm). UMML 32.9271, Uva Reef,
off Panama, 7°49'N, 81°46'W, 3 m, coll. P.W. Glynn, 5 March 2003, immature female (10 mm). UMML
32.9272, Uva Reef, off Panama, 7°49'N, 81°46'W, 3 m, coll. P.W. Glynn, 10 March 2004, 1 juvenile (5 mm).
USNM 1026798, off Crystal River, Florida, 28°24'N, 85°15'W, 175 m, 18 May 1974–30 Jun 1974, 1 female
(22 mm). USNM 1026799, off Crystal River, Florida, 28°30'N, 83°21'W, 28 m, 18 May 1974–30 Jun 1974, 1
male (22 mm). USNM 225252, off North Carolina, 30°24'N, 76°34'W, 20 m, coll. Duke University, 19 May
1981, 1 immature female (10 mm). USNM 224002, off Fernandina Beach, Florida, 30°37'N, 81°10'W, 20 m,
coll. Georgia Marine Resources For Minerals Management Service, 6 February 1980, 1 male (12 mm).
USNM 1111740 (ex USNM 189044), Aruba, 10 April 1939, 1 immature female (12 mm).
Diagnosis. Antenna 1 shorter than antenna 2; antenna 1 flagellum more than 1.5 times as long as pedun-
cle; antenna 2 flagellum distinctly longer than combined lengths of peduncular articles 3–5. Pereopod 1 pro-
podus 2.4 times as long as broad (excluding ventral lobe). Pereopod 2 propodus 2.8 times as long as broad.
Uropodal endopod narrow and tapered, 1.7 times as long as broad, with setae distributed laterally and distally.
Telson broadest at mid-length, tapered to sub-acute point. Male pleopod 2 with appendix masculina apically
bifid.
Description. Female. Head, pereon and pleon with distinct dorsal pigmentation. Clusters of long setae
present laterally on pereon at articulations of pereopods.
Antenna 1 shorter than antenna 2. Antenna 1 peduncle with articles 2 and 3 similar length, flagellum longer
than peduncle, with 19 articles. Antenna 2 peduncular article 3 shortest, article 4 and 5 similar length, flagel-
lum similar length to peduncle, with 25 articles.
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FIGURE 4. Accalathura schotteae n. sp. USNM 1111739, holotype female, 12 mm. A, whole animal, dorsal view; B,
pereopod 1; C, pereopod 2; D, maxilla; E, pereopod 3; F, distal end of pereopod 7; G, maxilliped; H, telson; I, uropodal
exopod; J, mandible; K, uropodal endopod.
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FIGURE 5. Accalathura schotteae n. sp. USNM 1111739, holotype female, 12 mm. A, pleopod 1; B, pleopod 2;
UMML 32.9264, paratype male, 8.5 mm, C, pleopod 2 with appendix masculina.
Mandibular palp second article with five long setae, third article with longitudinal row of 24 short robust
setae and one long apical robust seta. Maxilla 1 slender and elongate with distal serration. Maxilliped palp
with two articles, article 1 with two rows of long setae on inner edge, article 2 with seta at mid-length and 17
long terminal setae; endite not reaching past article 2 of palp, with subterminal long seta.
Pereopod 1 basis and ischium with rows of long dorsal setae; merus broader than long and enclosing car-
pus, with dorsal and ventral long setae; carpus ventral margin with a cluster of robust setulate setae and long
setae; propodus 2.4 times as long as broad, with proximal ventral lobe, ventral margin between lobe and dac-
tylus excavated, with long simple setae and short robust setulate setae along ventral margin and excavated
section. Pereopod 2 basis and ischium with paired rows of long dorsal setae; merus as long as broad and
enclosing carpus, with long dorsal and ventral setae; carpus with long ventral setae; propodus 2.8 times as
long as broad, ventral margin with eight robust setae, six most proximal setae vary in lengths (fourth and fifth
largest) and possess a setule at mid-length, the seventh and eighth most distal setae are bifid and trifid and
lacking a setule at mid-length. Pereopod 3 basis and ischium with paired rows of long dorsal setae; merus
longer than broad and covering carpus, with long dorsal and ventral setae; carpus with long ventral setae; pro-
podus 3.2 times as long as broad, ventral margin with seven robust setae, five most proximal setae vary in
lengths (middle setae largest) and possess setule at mid-length, sixth and seventh most distal setae are bifid
and lacking setule at mid-length. Pereopods 4–7 becoming more elongate posteriorly, with short robust setae
on carpus and propodus.
Pleopod 1 exopod 2 times as long as broad, with at least 50 distal long plumose setae; endopod shorter
than exopod, 4.5 times as long as broad, with 10 distal long plumose setae. Pleopods 2–5 shorter than pleopod
1, exopod and endopod similar size, endopod with around 13 long plumose setae, exopod with around 18 long
plumose setae.
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TWO NEW SPECIES OF ACCALATHURA
Uropodal peduncle inner distal margin slightly raised, outer distal margin acute and distinctly raised,
endopod distally rounded, 1.7 times as long as broad, with setae distributed laterally and distally. Uropodal
exopod reaching past peduncle of endopod, dorsal and ventral margins with long plumose and simple setae
(simple setae are concentrated apically). Telso n broadest at mid-length, 2.6 times as long as broad, tapered to
sub-acute point, with long simple setae distally, distal 1/3 margin with some slight serration between setae.
Male. (Sexually dimorphic characters) Antenna 1 flagellum with 23 articles, articles 2–12 with dense clus-
ters of aesthetascs and setae. Antenna 2 peduncle similar to female, flagellum with 27 articles (slightly more
than in female).
Pereopod 1 propodus in larger males (~22 mm) is more robust than in females, in smaller males (~12 mm)
it is similar to the female, other pereopods as for female.
Pleopod 2 with appendix masculina apically bifid, length of appendix masculina (relative to the endopod
and exopod rami) varies with size of adult male: in smaller males appendix masculina reaches past rami, in
larger males of similar size to rami.
Distribution. Pacific Coast of Panama (type locality); Aruba; southeastern United States (Atlantic coasts
of North Carolina, and Florida; Gulf coast of Florida).
Etymology. This species is named for Marilyn Schotte, of the National Museum of Natural History
(Smithsonian), Washington D.C., who prompted this study by bringing the Panama material to the author’s
attention.
Remarks. A. schotteae n. sp. is described from type material collected from the Pacific coast of Panama
(USNM 1111739). During this study, additional specimens that were sometimes larger than the Panama spec-
imens, but otherwise indistinguishable from the type material, were identified from the southeastern United
States (USNM 225252, 224002; 10 mm immature female, 12 mm male) and the eastern Gulf of Mexico
(USNM 1026798, 1026799; 22 mm female and male). Adult specimens of both sexes from Panama are con-
sistently small (at ~9–12 mm), the Atlantic coast Florida and North Carolina specimens are 10–12 mm, and
the Gulf of Mexico Florida specimens (male and female) are the largest (>22 mm). Further sampling for this
species within these areas and in the intermediate areas of the Caribbean, along with genetic evaluation of
populations, should resolve the distribution of this species and the relationships among populations. The
appendix masculina of males in the larger individuals (>22 mm) was of a similar length to the pleopodal rami,
which fits the pattern seen in A. kensleyi n. sp., where it appears that the pleopodal rami lengthen as the adult
male grows, while the appendix masculina remains a constant length after its original development. The
Atlantic and Gulf material did not show any clear body pigmentation (distinct in Panama specimens), but this
could be due to long-term preservation in alcohol.
The apparent disjunctive nature of these populations is thought to be a reflection of the restricted scope of the
examination as not all of the specimens labeled as A. crenulata in the NMNH collections could be examined.
It is interesting that this species has a wide distribution from the Eastern United States and down to the
Pacific, adjacent to the Panama Canal (and that A. crenulata is also recorded from the Atlantic coast of Pan-
ama in this study). It is likely that A. schotteae n. sp. species is distributed through the eastern United States,
Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, although it has remained cryptically intermixed within lots identified as A.
crenulata.
Discussion
It became apparent during this investigation that small juveniles of the four species examined here (A. crenu-
lata, A. setosa, A. kensleyi n. sp. and A. schotteae n. sp.) look very similar. Often they are indistinguishable.
Therefore, identifications of Accalathura species should, wherever possible, be based on mature adult speci-
mens (females with oostegites and males with a developed appendix masculina on pleopod 2).
KING
28 · Zootaxa 1761 © 2008
Magnolia Press
While male anthuroids sometimes have enlarged eyes and reduced mouthparts, in comparison to females,
this was not noted among the adult male specimens examined here.
The morphological discrepancies that were noted in previous published reports of A. crenulata have
mostly been accounted for in the present investigation. Barnard (1925) was likely to have been referring to
male specimens of A. kensleyi n. sp. when he described the unusual anterior pereopod forms of A. crenulata
specimens from the US Virgin Islands (then the “Danish West Indies”). Menzies & Kruczynski (1983) illus-
trated what is clearly a male of A. schotteae from the Gulf of Mexico. It remains unclear, due to a lack of
detailed illustrations, but seems likely that Menzies & Glynn (1968) were describing A. kensleyi n. sp. from
Puerto Rico. Kensley’s (1984) illustration of the appendix masculina of A. crenulata cannot be confirmed as
no males of A. crenulata were examined for the present study and Kensley did not designate the NMNH spec-
imen that he illustrated (Kensley, 1984). Müller (1991) described immature specimens and a small male from
Martinique that are likely to be A. crenulata (based on uropodal shape) but this cannot be confirmed.
Given the documentation of the unusual male secondary sexual characteristics of Accalathura species
(Poore & Lew Ton, 1990; present study), and our lack of knowledge regarding the sexual behavior and devel-
opmental stages of the species of this genus, further research on the development and life histories of these
animals should be encouraged and would be advantageous to future systematic work.
Key to species of Accalathura from the Caribbean and adjacent areas
(for adult specimens)
1. Uropodal endopod short (slightly longer than broad), uropodal exopod 2 times as long as broad A. setosa
- Uropodal endopod 1.5 or greater times as long as broad, uropodal exopod around 3 times as long as broad
.....................................................................................................................................................................2
2. Uropodal endopods broadly rounded, around 1.5 times as long as broad; Pereopod 2 propodus around 2
times as long as broad............................................................................................................... A. crenulata
- Uropodal endopods elongate, 1.7 to 2 times as long as broad; Pereopod 2 propodus nearly 3 times as long
as broad........................................................................................................................................................3
3. Adult females pereopod 3 propodus around 3 times as long as broad; uropodal endopod 1.7 times as long as
broad; telson broadest at mid-length. Adult males with appendix masculina apically bifid ........................
.........................................................................................................................................A. schotteae n. sp.
- Adult females pereopod 3 propodus more than 4 times as long as broad; uropodal endopod 2 times as long
as broad; telson broadest proximally. Males with appendix masculina sub-apically inflated and narrowing
to a sub-acute point........................................................................................................... A. kensleyi n. sp.
Acknowledgements
Dr. Peter W. Glynn (Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami) collected
the UMML Panama samples, in a study that was supported by the US National Science Foundation, Biologi-
cal Oceanography Program. Permission to work and collect specimens in the Coiba National Park was autho-
rized by the Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (ANAM), Republic of Panama. Scientific export permits were
granted through the Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario (MIDA) permit nos. 460099 and 72423, and SEX/
A-23-05 and SEX/AP-2-06 (ANAM). The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute also provided laboratory
and logistical support during the collection process. The author thanks Marilyn Schotte (National Museum of
Natural History) for bringing the Panama material to the author’s attention. Gratitude is also extended to
Zootaxa 1761 © 2008 Magnolia Press · 29
TWO NEW SPECIES OF ACCALATHURA
David Knott (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources) for providing comments on draft versions and
to Dr. Gary Poore (Museum Victoria, Australia) for advice and references. This document is Contribution No.
629 of the Marine Resources Division, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
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