Corresponding author: A. A. Myers (
Academic editor: C. O. Coleman
12 species of amphipod in 5 families, collected from shallow reefs in Palau by S. DeGrave during 2002, are reported here. Of these, five species are new to science and
During the 2002 Oxford University Museum Expedition to Palau, amphipods were collected and kindly made available to the author for study by Dr Sammy De Grave. The collection consisted of almost 50 species in 20 families. This first contribution describes species belonging to the families
Specimens were dissected in alcohol and mounted on slides in glycerine for study. Drawing was accomplished using a drawing tube attached to a compound microscope. Type material is deposited in the Zoological Collection of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History (OUMNH.ZC).
Abbreviations used in figures. Hd = Head; A1, A2 = antenna 1, 2; Md = mandible, Mxp = maxilliped, G1, G2 = gnathopods 1,2; P3-P7 = pereopods 3-7; Ep 1-3 = epimera 1-3; U1-U3 = uropods 1-3; T = telson; M = male; F = female.
Holotype male, 6.0 mm. OUMNH.ZC.2002-24-0078,
Named after a harbour near the type locality.
Based on male holotype. 6.0 mm.
Head.
Pereon
Pleon.
Unknown.
On soft sediment with
Known only from the type locality.
Holotype female, 2.5 mm. OUMNH.ZC.2002-24-0079, Inside Pinchers, bait trap sample, sandy callianasid flat, 3 m depth;
Paratypes. 1 female, OUMNH.ZC.2002-24-0080, Malakal Channel, light trap sample, 2 m deep;
Latin levis = lightly armed. In reference to the rather sparse setae of this species compared with other members of the genus
Based on female holotype. 2.5 mm.
Head.
Pereon.
Pleon.
Unknown
Species of
Sand flats in shallow water.
Known only from the type locality.
2 males, 10 females, 4 immature, OUMNH.ZC.2002-24-0081, Beluu Lukes Reef, drop off, 15 m depth; from
Present material agrees well with the original description of the species from the Cook Islands (Peart, 2007b) as well as with material from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia by
Australia (New South Wales, Queensland); Palau.
2 males, OUMNH.ZC.2002-24-0083, Ikedluches Reef, outer rubble slope, from unidentified gorgonian with dead base and small amount of algae, 20 m depth;
As pointed out by Myers (1985),
Australia (Queensland, Western Australia); Palau.
1 male, 13 females
Present material agrees well with the description of
Australia (Queensland); Palau.
3 males, 4 females, OUMNH.ZC.2002-24-0087, Pkuklim Reef;
Present material agrees well with the description of
Australia (Queensland); Fiji, Palau.
This genus currently contains three designated species (Poore and Lowry 1997). These are:
A fourth species
Holotype male 2.2 mm OUMNH.ZC.2002-24-0088 Pkuklim Reef; clumps on reef rubble, from
From the Latin ‘lata’ = wide, in reference to the expanded obtuse elongation of the coxa of the male gnathopod 1.
Based onmale holotype 2.2 mm.
Head.
Pereon.
Pleon.
Amongst
Known only from the type locality.
Holotype male (AM P35333) Makaluva Island, Viti Levu, Fiji, 13 August, 1979, coral debris from reef crest, A. A. Myers.
Named after the shape of the coxa of the male gnathopod 1.
A full description and figures of this species are provided by Myers (1985).
Fiji
Holotype male (Paris Museum), platier externe de Grand recif de Tulear, station MFE8, MT9, M. Peyrot-Clausade.
Named after the Country in which is situated the type locality.
A description and figures of this species can be found in
Madagascar.
1 male, 4.0mm, OUMNH.ZC.2002-24-0090,Malakal Harbour channel, rubble tray left for 10 days;
This material agrees very closely with the original description of
Coral rubble.
Gilbert Islands (Schellenberg, 1938): Palau.
1 male, OUMNH.ZC.2002–24–0092, Soint Point Cave, Koror island, light trap sample, no GPS; leg. S. De Grave & C. Burras, night 2nd –3rd June 2002.
Australia; Papua New Guinea; Palau, Vanuatu, Fiji; Western Samoa; Society Islands.
Holotype male 2.5 mm, OUMNH.ZC.2002-24-0093, Outside Pinchers, rubble slope, from
Named for Sara LeCroy for her extensive and invaluable work on this genus of amphipods.
Based on male holotype, 2.5 mm.
Head
Pereon
Pleon.
Unknown
Among sponges
In the shape of the male gnathopod 2 this species resembles
Known only from the type locality.
1 male, OUMNH.ZC.2002–24–0094, Seabear Site, drop off, from rubble (no further details), 16 m depth;
The single male specimen collected agrees well with the original description of this species.
Hawaii; French Polynesia; Fiji; Australia; ?Mauritius; Madagascar; Red Sea; Palau.
1 specimen (unknown sex), dissected. Outside Risong channel, light trap sample,, 50 feet deep;
Named for the excavated palm of gnathopod 2.
Based on holotype 1.9 mm.
Head.
Pereon.
Pleon. Urosomite 3 with dorsodistal hood extending over telson. Uropod 3 rami subequal a little longer than peduncle.
In
Known only from the type locality.
I am grateful to Dr Sammy De Grave, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, for making the material collected in Palau available to me for study.