Two new amphipods associated with a hermit crab from the Kumano-nada, central Japan (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Isaeidae, Stenothoidae)

Abstract

Two new species of amphipods associated with a hermit crab Propagurus obtusifrons were collected from the bottom of a 190–380 m depth in Kumano-nada, central Japan. Metopelloides lowryi sp. nov. is characterized by the short article 2 of antenna 1, the slender mandibular palp with 3 setae, and the oblique palm of gnathopod 2. Isaea concinnoides sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the short carpus of gnathopod 2, the relatively stout antennae with short setae, and the oval basis of pereopod 5. Both species have prehensile pereopods 3–7 for clinging to the setae of the hermit crab.

Keywords

• amphipoda
• hermit crab associate
• isaeidae
• japan
• paguridae
• prehensile pereopods
• stenothoidae
• symbiosisamphipoda
• symbiosis