A new family Lepidocharontidae with description of Lepidocharon gen. n., from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, and redefinition of the Microparasellidae (Isopoda, Asellota)

Abstract Lepidocharontidae Galassi & Bruce, fam. n. is erected, containing Lepidocharon Galassi & Bruce, gen. n. and two genera transferred from the family Microparasellidae Karaman, 1934: Microcharon Karaman, 1934 and Janinella Albuquerque, Boulanouar & Coineau, 2014. The genus Angeliera Chappuis & Delamare Deboutteville, 1952 is placed as genus incertae sedis in this family. The Lepidocharontidae is characterised by having rectangular or trapezoidal somites in dorsal view, a single free pleonite, a tendency to reduction of the coxal plates, and the unique uropodal morphology of a large and long uropodal protopod on which the slender uropodal exopod articulates separately and anteriorly to the endopod. Lepidocharon Galassi & Bruce, gen. n. has a 6-segmented antennula, a well-developed antennal scale (rudimentary exopod), long and slender pereiopods 1–7 directed outwards, coxal plates rudimentary, incorporated to the lateral side of the sternites, not discernible in dorsal view, the single pleonite narrower than pereionite 7, scale-like elements bordering the proximal part of male pleopod 1 on posterior side, and stylet-guiding grooves of male pleopod 1 which run parallel to the outer lateral margins of the same pleopod. Lepidocharon priapus Galassi & Bruce, sp. n., type species for the genus, and Lepidocharon lizardensis Galassi & Bruce, sp. n. are described from Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef. The most similar genus is Microcharon, both genera sharing the same general organization of the male pleopods 1 and 2, topology and architecture of the stylet-guiding groove of male pleopod 1, morphology of female operculum, presence of 2 robust claws of different lengths on pereiopodal dactylus 1–7, not sexually dimorphic. Lepidocharon gen. n. differs from Microcharon in the shape of the pereionites, very reduced coxal plates, the presence of imbricate scale-like elements bordering the proximal postero-lateral margins of the male pleopod 1, and the topology of the pereiopods, which are ventro-laterally inserted and directed outwards in Lepidocharon gen. n. and dorso-laterally inserted and directed ventrally in Microcharon. Lepidocharon shares with the genus Janinella the morphology of the tergites and the reduced lacinia mobilis of the left mandible, but differs significantly from Janinella in having a well-developed antennal scale, very reduced coxal plates also in females bearing oostegites, the general morphology and spatial arrangement of the stylet-guiding groove of male pleopod 1 and the possession of a 6-segmented antennula. The family Microparasellidae is redefined as monotypic, the only genus being Microparasellus Karaman, 1933.


Introduction
stated that 84% of the species are endemic to the Indian Ocean overall, but only 18% of the genera. This level of endemicity is generally true for free-living marine Isopoda, and consistent with that observed in the Great Barrier Reef isopod fauna. Data for coral-reef Asellota are few and at present all Great Barrier Reef Asellota are endemic at species level and genus level with the only apparent endemic genus, Prethura Kensley, 1982 having been recently reported from Japan (Shimomura and Naruse 2015). Species-level endemicity is high among marine isopods, but generic endemicity is generally low, so the discovery that the two new species from Great Barrier Reef belong to a new genus is noteworthy.
The marine isopod fauna of Queensland is diverse with 343 recorded species. Of that total only 22 species (6.4%) are Asellota, the suborder clearly being under-documented for the region as worldwide Bruce 2012, Schotte et al. 2013). They constitute approximately 33% of all isopod species. Of those 22 species, 16 have been described since 2009 (Bruce 2009, Shimomura and Bruce 2012, Bruce and Buxton 2013, Bruce and Cumming 2015 highlighting the potentially high diversity of the suborder (Roberts et al. 2002). Tropical regions from northern and western Australia have an even lower level of recorded species. Given the low level of reporting from the region it is unsurprising therefore to discover both new genera and also families not previously recorded from tropical Australia. The discovery of what appeared to be the first marine Microparasellidae Karaman, 1934 from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and Australia was in itself not surprising and furthermore the family was known from coral reefs in New Caledonia (Coineau 1970) and the Caribbean (Kensley 1984).
Describing what proved to be a new genus of Asellota led to a reappraisal of the Microparasellidae, and to the conclusion that the family should be split, with the new genus being placed in the Lepidocharontidae Galassi & Bruce, fam. n. A further three species of Lepidocharontidae have been collected from the Great Barrier Reef, including Heron Island in the south, these being undescribed species of Microcharon and Lepidocharon, respectively, and a distinctive new species of uncertain generic identity, yielding a total of at least five species in three genera for the GBR. The presence of this number of species suggests that with appropriate collecting in suitable habitats this family may be more diverse in marine habitats that previously believed.

Methods
Collection methods have recently been described by Bruce (2015) and Bruce and Buxton (2013). CReefs samples were all preserved in high-grade ethanol (a requirement of the CReefs program), without first fixing in formalin. Drawings and measurements were made using a camera lucida on a Leica DM 2500 phase contrast and interferential microscope. Some details gained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are added to line drawings. Scanning Electron Microscope specimens of Lepidocharon priapus sp. n. were dehydrated in a graded ethanol series, critical point dried in a Balzers Union CPD 020 apparatus and sputter coated with gold in a Balzers Union SCD 040. Observations were made with a Philips SEM XL30 CP scanning electron microscope.
Sampling was carried out under GBRMPA Permit G08-27858.1 and General Fisheries Permit (QLD DPI) 95152.

Taxonomy
Female. Operculum (pleopod 2) from sub-quadrate (as long as wide) to more than 2 times longer than wide, with free distal margin deeply incised medially, faintly incised, or without medial incision, armed with 4 or 2 setae, or unarmed.
Genera included. Microcharon Karaman, 1934;Janinella Albuquerque, Boulanouar & Coineau, 2014;Lepidocharon Galassi & Bruce, gen. n. Genus incertae sedis. Angeliera Chappuis & Delamare Deboutteville, 1952. Remarks. Wilson and Wägele (1994) and Wilson (1994) critically discussed the status of the Microparasellidae in relation to the Janiridae on a cladistic phylogenetic basis. Wilson and Wägele (1994) in their review of the Janiridae analysed the status of the family Microparasellidae in detail, reviewing the history of the debate over the status of the family. Wilson (1994) also included the Microparasellidae in his cladistic analysis of the phylogeny of the Janiridae. Wilson and Wägele (1994: page 721) stated "The family concept of the Microparasellidae may be open to challenge because Microparasellus is distinct from the other three genera in these autapomorphies", these being the differences in the somatic and uropodal morphology. These authors went on to say "the composition of this family will require further study." In Wilson's (1994) analysis, there were no supporting apomorphies for the Microparasellidae as then constituted, but there were separate supporting apomorphies for the genus Microparasellus and the clade holding the remaining genera, strongly suggesting that potentially these were two monophyletic clades, albeit the Microparasellidae being monogeneric. The principle basis for this is that each group had unique and derived uropod morphology and substantial differences in body morphology.
The description of the new genus Lepidocharon Galassi & Bruce, gen. n. led to a reappraisal of the taxonomic status of the Microparasellidae and its constituent genera. We conclude that the Microparasellidae is a mono-generic family supported by a prominent acute or narrowly rounded rostrum, the antennal flagellum shorter than podomeres, all somites with straight lateral margins that also have scales, an indisputable ventral position of the pereiopods, the unique uniramous and short uropods (see Appendix 1). The remaining genera are housed in the new family Lepidocharontidae fam. n., the diagnostic characters being the elongate body (up to 10× as long as maximum width), a weak or absent rostrum, the antennal flagellum longer than podomeres, the pereionites rectangular or trapezoidal in dorsal view, with sub-parallel lateral margins, a lateral or dorso-lateral position of the pereiopods, a tendency to reduction of pereiopodal coxal plates, and the uropod with a large protopod with the exopod articulating anteriorly and separately to the endopod.
Within the family Lepidocharontidae there is great uniformity of the diagnostic characters among all the genera. The genus Angeliera has been placed incertae sedis in the Asellota on the basis of marked differences in several morphological features that set this genus far away the basic body plan observed in Lepidocharontidae.
The largest genus in the Lepidocharontidae is Microcharon with 77 species, both marine and freshwater. Many species lack full descriptions, and there are inconsistencies in the distribution of certain characters within the genus. A dorsal view of the head is not routinely figured; when figured, it can be seen that some species do have a rostral point or rostrum, while others have the anterior margin of the head weakly concave.
The generic name Microcharon is unavailable under the ICZN (1999)'s rules because the genus was established by Karaman (1934) without type species designation. This prevents the use of "Microcharontidae" (from the most speciose and well-known genus Microcharon) as the family name because ICZN (1999)' article 13.2 unambiguously states: "To be available, every new family-group name published after 1930 must satisfy the provisions of Article 13.1 and must be formed from an available genusgroup name then used as valid by the author in the family-group taxon [Arts. 11.7.1.1, 29]". Therefore we here propose the name Lepidocharontidae fam. n.
The family name Microparasellidae was first introduced by Karaman (1934: page 44) when describing the genus Microcharon, although the family had been earlier diagnosed by Karaman (1933: page 17) with the accompanying statement "Microparasellus n. fam., n. gen.", but without type-species designation for the genus Microparasellus (see Karaman 1933). According to the ICZN (1999: Article 13.2) the family name Microparasellidae proposed by Karaman (1934) is thus a nomen nudum, because the family was erected on the unavailable generic name Microparasellus Karaman, 1933 that lacked type-species designation. Nevertheless, Article 13.2.1 states that "A family group name first published after 1930 and before 1961 which does not satisfy the provisions of Article 13.1 is available from its original publication only if it was used as valid before 2000, and also was not rejected by an author who, after 1960 and before 2000, expressly applied Article 13 of the then current editions of the Code". The family name was considered valid until 2000, and for this reason it is an available name as Microparasellidae Karaman, 1934. The family name Microparasellidae is then valid.
Conversely, we provisionally maintain current and common usage of the names Microparasellus and Microcharon, and this is discussed in more detail together with a new diagnosis for the Microparasellidae (see Appendix 1). As the nomenclature within the family Microparasellidae is well established and widely used, a proposition (Galassi and Bruce in preparation) will be submitted to the ICZN Commission for maintaining the stability of the current nomenclature and related authorities.
Female. As for the male, except for sexual characters. Operculum (pleopod 2) longer than broad, with surface smooth or with semicircular thickening, with distal margin faintly incised, and 4 apical setae.
Etymology. The generic name is derived from the ancient Greek name λεπις, λεπιδος meaning "scale", which refers to the unique rim of scale-like elements bordering the proximal part of the first male pleopod on the posterior side, combined with the mythological name Charon, Charontis referring to the Ferryman of Hades. Gender: masculine.
Remarks. Lepidocharon gen. n. is most similar to the genus Microcharon, the two genera sharing the following characters: well-developed uropods with slender endopod and exopod; pereiopodal coxal plates not discernible in dorsal view, small, incorporated to the sternite body wall; male pleopod 1 with similar general organization, the distal lateral lobe with a folded hyaline lamella (stylet-guiding groove) running almost parallel to the lateral margins of the pleopod (this orientation and structure of the stylet-guiding groove appears different from that of Janinella, where a transversal and oblique groove hosts the stylet of the male pleopod 2 which seems not to be enveloped by a hyaline lamella); pleopod 2 identical in the development of both exopod and endopod, the latter ending with a stylet of different length depending on the species; penial papillae small and located at the posteromesial margin of sternite 7; female operculum as long as the pleotelson, faintly incised, bearing 4 apical setae (a condition shared by some predominantly marine, and rarely freshwater, Microcharon species).
Lepidocharon gen. n. shares with Janinella the morphology of the tergites, the first three pereionites with antero-lateral protrusions, the fourth sub-rectangular in shape, and the last three postero-laterally protruded, together with the lateral insertion of pereiopods 1-7 oriented outwards (vs. ventrally in Janinella, see Albuquerque et al. 2014); pereiopodal coxal plates small in Janinella, very reduced and incorporated to body wall in Lepidocharon gen. n. The female operculum of Lepidocharon is more than twice as long as wide, as long as the pleotelson, only faintly incised and bearing 4 apical setae, the mesial pair being close-set. These apical setae resemble that of Janinella species, where only the two close-set setae are present.
Lepidocharon gen. n. differs from all the other lepidocharontid genera by the combination of the following morphological characters: (1) the unique presence of scale-like elements bordering the postero-lateral margins of the proximal part of the male pleopod 1; (2) pereionites with coxal plates hardly discernible, small, and incorporated into the sternite body wall, not visible in dorsal and lateral views; (3) the long and slender pereiopods that are inserted laterally and directed outwards; (4) pereionites that are not cylindrical, except pereionite 4 (vs. cylindrical in Microcharon); (5) the presence of elongate antennal scale (vs. rudimentary in Janinella, and generally reduced in Microcharon); (6) the mandible incisor with up to 9 cusps (lower number of cusps in Microcharon and Janinella).
Microcharon galapagoensis Coineau & Schmidt, 1979 is closer to Lepidocharon gen. n., especially in the general body morphology, pereionite shape, slender pereiopods directed outwards, a long antennal scale, and slender and elongate uropods; however the unique scale-like elements of the male pleopod 1 of Lepidocharon are not present in this species. These scales are not easily detected under optical microscopy (if not at 100× magnification), nor were they seen using SEM because located on the posterior side of the pleopod.
Etymology. The epithet is derived from the god Priapus (Πρίαπος) of the Greek mythology. He was considered the protector of livestock, fruit plants, gardens and male genitalia. He was famous for his largely phallic character and the specific names is here referring to the extraordinary length of the stylet of male pleopod 2.
Paragnaths ( Fig. 3C) large, free distal margin with long slender simple setae and marginal and submarginal rows of scale setae. Labrum ovoid (Fig. 3D), ornamented with fine spines on free anterior margin. Antennula (Fig. 1B) composed of 6 articles; article 1 1.5 as long as wide, directed anteriorly, with 2 simple setae; article 2 1.5 as long as wide, 0.8 as wide and 0.8 as long as article 1, with 4 setae inserted at distal third of article, 2 of which penicillate setae plus 1 long penicillate seta inserted on a lateral protrusion of article, accompanied by a short and thin naked seta on its basis; article 3 unarmed; article 4 with 1 lateral seta and 2 surface penicillate setae; article 5 shorter than article 4, bearing 1 long aesthetasc and 1 simple seta at basis of aesthetasc-bearing protrusion; article 6 short, 0.5 as long as article 5 and clearly articulated with article 5 ( Fig. 2A), bearing 5 setae in total, two surface seta (one of which penicillate), one apical and one subapical simple setae; one long aesthetasc and a robust and long seta apically, both incorporated to article 6. Antenna ( Fig. 3A-B) with 6 podomeres, 2 proximal articles short and stout, article 1 with 1 apical outer seta; article 2 naked; article 3 robust, length/width ratio: 1.25, with mesial apical seta and long exopod quite overreaching segment 4, knife-blade shaped and bearing 2 long and thin setae inserted on lateral margin at middle of exopod; article 4 stout and curved outward, 0.5 as long as article 3, with 2 apical mesial setae; articles 5 and 6 slender and long, article 6 longest, bearing 6 and 10 simple setae, respectively; flagellum composed of 9 articles in holotype; 11 articles in one male paratype; all flagellar articles with distal hyaline lamella partially covering insertion of following article, all armed with setae on distal margin, except article 9 ending with 3 simple and 1 penicillate setae.
Mandible palp (Fig. 3E) on short cuticular projection; palp article 1 without setae, article 2 longest, about 2.5 times longer than wide, with 2 pinnate robust setae laterally, their insertion more or less coalescent with article; article 3 curved laterally, with 5 pinnate robust setae, distalmost seta longest; 2 cuticular comb rows on lateral margin   of article. Left mandible (Fig. 3E): incisor with two strong and large cusps; lacinia mobilis as in the genus; molar process with two long unipinnate setae accompanied by 1 short simple spine. Between lacinia mobilis and molar process 3 thin, long and simple spines and 3 unipinnate spines are present, 1 modified seta, cockscomb-shaped, close to lacinia mobilis, with total of 7 elements. Right mandible (Fig. 3F) incisor with 6 robust cusps; 2 long unipinnate and 1 short simple seta. Between incisor and molar process 6 spines are inserted, apicalmost robust, curved and unipinnate, 3 naked and 2 unipinnate spines. Maxillula (Fig. 4A): mesial lobe slender and tapering at distal part bearing 1 short apical seta accompanied by 2 subapical shorter setae and two lateral thin and short setae. Lateral lobe sub-rectangular in shape, bearing scale-like elements on both lateral and mesial margins. Apical setation composed by 11 elements; 3 simple setae in subapical position (surface apical setae); 2 mesial setae with apical tuft; remaining 6 distal setae unipinnate. Maxilla ( Fig. 4B): mesial ramus with 9 setae, 3 naked and slender setae on mesial margin, 1 surface seta short; 5 apical setae, mesialmost and 3 lateralmost apical setae simple and slender; second apical setae (starting from mesial margin) comb-like, strong, unipinnate and ornamented with fine regularly-spaced setules parallel to one another. Lateral rami close-set, each bearing 4 slender and simple setae, respectively.
Pereiopod 1 (Figs 2E, 4E): coxal plate hardly discernible, basis slightly enlarged, relatively short in comparison to length of same segment of pereiopods 2-7, with 3 short setae, one of which is a penicillate seta; 2 opposite setae on ischium, transformed in sensorial penicillate setae; merus trapezoidal, shorter than all other articles, bearing 4 long and large setae on mesial and lateral apical margins; carpus longer than merus bearing 2 opposite long slender setae; mesiodistal margin with spinule row; propodus longer and slender than merus, ending with a small sclerite (Fig. 2E), with mesial hyaline lamella, bearing 1 bifid robust seta and 5 slender setae; dactylus with 6 slender sensorial setae, 3 of which inserted on surface of dactylus at base of insertion of longer claw, 2 surface setae inserted at basis of shorter claw, 1 seta on mesial distal margin of dactylus. Pereiopods 2-7 with strong dactylar claws with rounded tip. Morphology, relative length of pereiopodal segments and their armature apparently identical. Pereiopods 2-7 (pereiopod 7 figured; Fig. 5A) with coxal plate hardly discernible, basis slender than in pereiopod 1, bearing 4 setae, 2 of which penicillate, and 2 not transformed slender setae; ischium longer than in pereiopod 1, rectangular in shape, bearing 3 setae, 2 of which penicillate; merus shorter than articles, trapezoidal, and stouter than in pereiopod 1, bearing 1 sensorial seta on mesial margin, and 2 robust spiniform setae on apical mesial and lateral margins, respectively; a pointed protrusion discernible on mesial margin in subapical position accompanied by 1 thin seta; carpus longest; longer than both merus and propodus, bearing 4 elements; 1 proximal mesial simple seta and 1 bifid spine; 2 lateral setae located on apical lateral margin, 1 of which thin and long, the latter transformed in a penicillate seta; propodus long and slender than carpus, ending with elongate sclerite (Fig. 2F), bearing 2 bifid stout spines on mesial margin and 4 simple thin setae of different lengths; dactylus ending with two stout claws subequal in length, armed with 5 thin setae likely with sensorial function, 3 of which inserted on surface of dactylus at base of the insertion of longer claw, 2 surface setae inserted at basis of shorter claw.
Penial papillae, as for the genus, coalescent and located at the middle of the free posterodistal margin of pereionite 7, with undulated free outer margins and a medial channel (Fig. 6A-B).
Pleotelson 1.37 as long as maximal width (Figs 8D, 15A), longer than wide (length/ width ratio: from 1.75 to 2.00, n = 5). Dorsal side with semicircular thickening, as dorsal and ventral body surfaces; with 4 dorsal setae, arranged in two pairs; lateral margins each bearing 3 slender setae. Pleotelson distal margin with 12 marginal setae, inserted in apical or subapical position; 2 of them are penicillate setae.
Male pleopods 1 elongate and slender, fused proximally, with sperm tube medially with an anterior opening ornamented by small spines (Figs 5B, 6A, C), approximately 3.3 as long as maximum width (measured at widest section of proximal part of pleopod). Proximal part of pleopod large and gradually tapering at distal part, bordered by paired rows of 10 imbricate scale-like elements on posterior surface. Middle part of pleopod with free lateral margins smooth, parallel, and slender, ending with convex rounded margins, tapering apically, with paired well-developed distal protrusions, each ending with rounded apex, a hyaline membrane, crenulated on lateral margin, and smooth on mesial margin. Stylet-guiding groove parallel to lateral margins of pleopod, and folded by hyaline lamella, sclerotized in terminal part on both lateral and mesial sides of distal part of pleopod. Distal part of pleopod with 7 setae.
Pleopod 4 (Fig. 8A) rudimentary, ellipsoidal, uniramous. Uropods long and slender (Fig. 8B), approximately two times longer than pleotelson. Protopod long, two times longer than endopod. Exopod and endopod long and slender; endopod longer than exopod, the latter inserted in subapical position on protopod. Mesial margin of protopod armed with 5 setae; lateral margin with 8 setae, 8 surface setae, 4 of which are slender and located on ventral surface, remaining setae on dorsal surface large. Endopod with long setae on distal third, 6 of which are penicillate setae, remaining 7 setae slender, simple, with rounded tip. Exopod armed with 9 setae on distal third, all of which slender; apicalmost setae longest.

Remarks. Detailed comparison between the two species is given in the remarks for
Lepidocharon lizardensis sp. n. Type-locality: Australia, Lizard Island, off Coconut Beach, 14.68441°S, 145.47197°E, reef front, sand adjacent to bommies, 4 m, stn Liz 09-09A.
Etymology. The epithet lizardensis is after the type locality, Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.
Pereionites 1-7 subequal in width (Fig. 9A); pereionites 1-3 with anterolateral margins of tergites only slightly protruding; pereionite 4 rectangular, without protrusions, pereionites 5-7 with posterolateral margins of tergites slightly protruded. Pereiopods inserted on lateral margins of tergites, visible in dorsal view (Fig. 9A); coxal plates rudimentary, incorporated to sternites. Paragnaths (Fig. 9B) consisting of 2 large rounded lobes, deeply incised on medial side, ornamented with long setules on free mesial margins; thin simple setae are accompanied by small setules. Lateral margins with three short spinule rows. Labrum ovoid (Fig. 9C), with free anterior margin convex and medially thickened, with pair of thin scale-setae inserted symmetrically on the outermost sides of the free distal margin. Antennula (Fig. 9D) composed of 6 articles; article 1 broadest, 1.6 as long as wide, directed anteriorly, with 2 simple and 2 penicillate setae; article 2 narrow, 1.6 as long as wide, 0.6 as wide and 0.7 as long as article 1, with 5 setae inserted at distal third of article, two of which penicillate; 1 long sensorial aesthetasc-like seta inserted on lateral protrusion, accompanied by a short and slender simple seta on its basis; article 3 unarmed; article 4 with 1 lateral simple seta and 2 penicillate setae inserted in apical position; article 5 slightly shorter (0.86) than article 4, bearing 1 long aesthetasc and 1 simple long slender seta at base of aesthetasc-bearing protrusion; 2 simple setae inserted at surface of article; article 6 very short, clearly articulated with article 5, bearing 2 subapical lateral setae, one of which aesthetasc-like penicillate seta, and 1 long apical seta close to 1 long aesthetasc and 1 subapical slender seta between them. Antenna ( Fig. 10A-B): with 6 podomeres, articles 1 and 2 short, article 1 with mesial seta; article 2 with short lateral seta; article 3 robust, with mesial apical seta and long exopod overreaching segment 4, candle-flame shaped and bearing 2 short and slender setae inserted at middle of exopod; article 4 stout and curved with 2 apical mesial setae; articles 5 and 6 slender, article 6 longest, bearing respectively 7 and 12 armature elements, 5 of which transformed in penicillate setae with apical tuft; flagellum composed of 12 articles, all flagellar articles with setae on distal margins, most setae simple; some on flagellar articles 1 and 4 are penicillate setae.
Maxilliped (Fig. 11C-D) palp robust and curved mesially; article 1 sub-rectangular in shape, bearing 1 lateral and 1 mesial short setae; article 2 robust, bearing 1 apical mesial seta; article 3 as long as article 2, with 1 lateral apical and 3 mesial setae inserted on mesial margin; article 4 curved inwards, slender, with 1 lateral and 4 apical setae inserted at boundary line between article 4 and 5; article 5 short and narrow, with 2 apical and 3 subapical setae, of which 3 are simple slender setae of different lengths and 2 are robust and large, stiff pectinate setae. Endite almost reaching end of palp article 2; mesial margin ending in pointed protrusion, with numerous hair-like setules and 2 coupling hooks mesially; apical free distal margin with 3 spine-like, serrate setae, 1 simple non-tapered seta, and 2 surface fan setae; epipod ovoidal, overreaching distal part of palp article 1, bearing 1 subapical short, minute seta (this seta not found in other specimens).   Pereiopod 1 (Fig. 11E) coxal plate hardly discernible; basis slightly enlarged, shorter than that of P2-P7, with 2 short setae on mesial surface and 1 short simple seta on distolateral margin, and 2 penicillate setae; 2 opposite setae on ischium, one of which longer, a tubular sensorial seta on surface; merus shorter than other articles, trapezoidal, bearing 3 long setae; carpus slender and longest, mesial margin with 2 thin setae; distolateral margin with 1 simple slender seta and 1 penicillate seta; propodus slender than carpus, ending with a small elongate sclerite, with 2 mesial slender setae and 1 bifid spiniform seta; spinule row on free distal mesial margin; 3 simple setae on anterior surface; a spinule row at insertion of bifid spine; dactylus with 4 thin sensorial setae, inserted in pairs at base of each claw. Pereiopods 2-7 (pereiopod 7 figured; Fig. 12A) with coxal plate rudimentary and incorporated to the sternite, basis slender than in pereiopod 1, bearing 5 setae, three of which penicillate and two slender simple setae; ischium slightly longer and slender than in pereiopod 1, rectangular in shape, bearing 3 setae, 1 of which transformed in penicillate seta; merus shorter than all other leg segments, trapezoidal, and slightly longer and slender than in pereiopod 1, bearing 2 setae on mesial margin, 1 robust seta on apical lateral margin and 1 slender simple seta on surface at boundary between merus and carpus; carpus almost as long as propodus; robust, bearing 1 simple thin seta and a bifid spine along mesial margin, and 2 short thin setae on lateral margin, a penicillate seta inserted close to apicalmost lateral seta; propodus slender than carpus, with small elongate sclerite, bearing 2 bifid stout spine-like setae on mesial margin, 2 surface simple setae of different lengths and a surface penicillate seta at distal third of article; dactylus ending with 2 strong claws with rounded tip, slightly subequal in length, lateral claw slender, mesial stouter and shorter; dactylus armed with 5 thin setae likely with sensorial function, 3 of which inserted at surface of article, at base of insertion of the longer claw, 2 surface setae inserted at basis of shorter and stouter claw.
Pleotelson longer than wide (Fig. 14A, 15B) (length/width ratio: from 1.33 to 2.00, n = 2). Dorsal side with 6 setae, a pair located on proximal part of pleotelson, other 2 pairs of setae arranged in close-set two pairs, both pairs located on distal third of pleotelson. Lateral margins bearing 3 slender setae at each side; 16 setae bordering free distal margin of pleotelson, inserted in apical or subapical position; 4 of them are penicillate setae.
Male pleopods 1 (Fig. 12B) elongate, coalescent in proximal part, with sperm tube medially, length about 4.5 times longer than maximum width (measured at widest section of proximal part of pleopod). Proximal part of pleopod large and gradually tapering at its distal part, bordered by paired rows of 4 scale-like elements. Middle part of pleopod with free distal margins smooth, parallel and slender, ending with slightly inflated sub-distal rims, tapering in apical part with paired well-developed subrounded bilobate tips. Stylet-guiding groove folded by hyaline lamella, running parallel to lateral margins of pleopod, only slightly sclerotized and ending with a transversal straight margin. Set of distal setae composed by 6 elements only.   Male pleopod 2 (Fig. 13A): protopod elongate, sub-rectangular at proximal part, with rounded mediodistal corner; exopod protruding from protopod at middle of mesial margin, appendix masculina (endopod) stylet ending with skewed apex, opening oblique; stylet short, shorter than and not reaching distal part of protopod.
Female. Body length approximately as in male. Body length measured from tip of cephalon to end of pleotelson 1.2 mm. No sexual dimorphism observed in body morphology, cephalic appendages and pereiopods. Female operculum (pleopod 2) elongate (Fig.  14B), sub-ovoid, with rounded lateral margins, proximal margin straight; distal margin with medial incision, with 2 close-set short medial setae very close to medial incision and 2 longer apical setae in lateral position. Operculum surface smooth. Uropods unknown.
Remarks. Lepidocharon priapus and L. lizardensis differ from each other in several characters: 1) the morphology of the antennal scale (blade-knife shaped in L. priapus vs. candle-flame shaped in L. lizardensis); 2) the slender body with different degree of protrusion of the pereionites 1-3 and 5-7 (markedly protruded in L. priapus vs. stouter and less protruded in L. lizardensis); 3) the different shape of the male pleopod 1 (with strongly protruded and pointed apical lobes and sclerotized hyaline lamella in L. priapus vs. sub-rounded and undulated apical lobes and a tiny hyaline lamella in L. lizardensis); 4) the setal complement of the male pleopod 1 (7 in L. priapus vs. 6 in L. lizardensis); 5) the morphology of the male pleopod 2 (sub-rectangular and long protopod with endopodal stylet extraordinarily long, reaching the tips of the uropods in L. priapus vs. ovoidal protopod with a short stylet, not reaching the distal part of the protopod in L. lizardensis); 6) female operculum sub-rectangular in shape, with straight lateral margins in L. priapus vs. oval, with convex lateral margins in L. lizardensis); 7) a rounded pleotelson in L. priapus (sub-truncate in L. lizardensis), and 8) body surface with visible semicircular thickening in L. priapus (smooth in L. lizardensis).

Discussion
The family Microparasellidae has been provisionally assigned to the asellote superfamily Janiroidea Sars, 1897. Its monophyletic status was debated since the interpretation of most character states in microparasellids is still doubtful, if not questionable (Bocquet and Lévi 1955, Wolf 1962, Cvetkov 1968, Wilson 1987, Wilson and Wägele 1994 in recognizing family rank for the Microparasellidae. Its monophyletic status had been hypothesised by Coineau and Schmidt (1979) and Coineau (1986Coineau ( , 1994. Since the original diagnosis given by Karaman (1933) (without providing the family name) and the provisional diagnosis given by Wilson and Wägele (1994) in their review of the family Janiridae, it had become clear that several diagnostic characters are weak and others have not been considered in detail (Albuquerque et al. 2014), and both the Janiridae and Microparasellidae were placed as incertae sedis (sedis mutabilis according to Wilson 1987: page 776) in the suborder Asellota. Wilson and Wägele (1994) produced a critical review of the genera attributable to the former family Microparasellidae, arguing the definitive exclusion of the genus Protocharon Chappuis, Delamare Deboutteville & Paulian, 1956 from this family on the basis of the closest similarity, they claimed, between Protocharon and Iais Bovallius, 1886, with Protocharon antarctica Chappuis, 1958 definitively moved to the janirid genus Iais (Wilson and Wägele 1994: page 700), and Protocharon arenicola Chappuis, Delamare Deboutteville & Paulian, 1956 being the only species attributable to the now monotypic genus Protocharon.
Similar arguments had been anticipated by Wolf (1962) who highlighted that blind and colourless species occur in almost all the families of the suborder Asellota; species belonging to the same genus may or may not have eyes. Anophtalmy is a common convergence to lightless or extreme low-light habitats, such as the deep-sea, groundwater habitats, mud, crevices, and as such is useless in assessing phylogenetic relationships. For instance, several Janiridae are eyeless and small-sized (e.g., species of Jaera Leach, 1814, Heterias Richardson, 1904, Austrofilus Hodgson, 1910, Caecijaera Menzies, 1951, Caecianiropsis Menzies & Pettit, 1956, and have neither prehensile nor subchelate pereiopod 1, as have all the presently known species assigned to both Microparasellidae and Lepidocharontidae. Among the genera assigned to the former family Microparasellidae, the genus Angeliera uniquely has a 7-segmented antennula, antennal scale absent; the maxilliped palp 4-segmented, without apical stiff pectinate setae; most pereiopods (variable among species of the genus) with three claws; pereiopods 1-4 and 6-7 subsimilar, with pereiopod 5 sexually dimorphic, in the male being subchelate and stout, with carpus transformed; male pleopod 1 is short and sub-quadrate and the penial processes are paired, not coalescent, arising near the base of pereiopod 7 (i.e. laterally) (see for details Coineau 1968). The female operculum is shorter than pleotelson, deeply incised or concave on free distal margin, without apical setae, never reaching the free distal margin of the pleotelson. Furthermore in Angeliera the male pleopod 2 displays a short and truncate form, similar to that of the Vermectiadidae Just & Poore, 1992. The family Vermectiadidae Just & Poore, 1992 shows superficial similarities to the genus Angeliera but can immediately be distinguished by having three free pleonites, laminar pleopods, none of which form an operculum, as well as small eyes (Just and Poore 1992).
Angeliera lacks the molar process, the most derived condition found in the Janiroidea. Nevertheless, similar reductions of the molar process occur in the janiroid family Katianiridae Svavarsson, 1987, where it varies from being reduced to a single spine in Katianira acarina (Menzies, 1962) (Svavarsson 1987) to lost in Katianira platyura Shimomura &Akiyama, 2006 (Shimomura andAkiyama 2006: fig. 1D, E, page 578). Similar reductions occur also in members of other janiroid families (e.g. Nannoniscidae Hansen, 1916, Desmosomatidae G.O. Sars, 1897, Macrostylidae Hansen, 1916, Munnopsidae Lilljeborg, 1864 and are likely adaptive traits related to the trophic niche of the taxa. The fourth article of the maxillipedal palp in Angeliera has one apical seta only instead of the two distal stiff setae present in all the other members of the family. As the maxilliped is considered homologous to the pereiopods (for details see Thompson 2013), the condition showed by Angeliera, with only one apical seta, coalescent with the fourth article, is to be considered a derived condition in the Janiroidea. Zemko and Kaiser (2012) discussed some affinities of the janiroidean family Thambematidae Stebbing, 1912, known from marine deep-sea habitats, and the former Microparasellidae, as previously claimed by Birstein (1961). The Thambematidae, on the basis of the similar body shape, was supposedly related to the Microparasellidae, even if the single free pleonite in Thambematidae is well-developed in comparison to the more reduced pleon of the Lepidocharontidae genera Janinella and Lepidocharon. Numerous characters separate the two families, including the morphology of the mandibular molar process, which is cylindrical in Thambematidae Stebbing, 1912 (vs. conical in Lepidocharontidae fam. n.), flat and prominently setose pereiopods (vs. slender), pereiopod 1 distinctly prehensile (vs. never prehensile neither subchelate in Microparasellidae and Lepidocharontidae fam. n.), male pleopod 1 with disto-lateral protrusions representing the extension of the transversal stylet guiding groove (only superficially resembling the general construction found in Janinella and in some Janiridae) and short, cylindrical uropodal sympod (vs. flattened) (Harrison 1987, Zemko andKaiser 2012).
The single free pleonite is even more reduced in the janirid Microjaera anisopoda Bocquet & Lévi, 1955, as highlighted by Bocquet and Lévi (1955). These authors supported the hypothesis of a strict relationship between Microjaera Bocquet & Levi, 1955

and the microparasellid genus Microparasellus and the lepidocharontid genus
Microcharon on the basis of the elongate and slender body, the small size, and other unspecified characters (Bocquet and Lévi 1955: page 128). Conversely, the differences observed and listed by the same authors among their Microjaera and Microparasellus-Microcharon (and Angeliera) support only a remote affinity among these genera. Later, a second species of the genus, Microjaera morii Shimomura, 2005, was described, this species showing a highly reduced free pleonite, that is not discernible in dorsal view, and visible only on ventral view (Shimomura 2005: fig. 3F, page 118).
The relatively large size of the free pleonite in Microparasellidae (Microparasellus) has been considered a distinctive trait of the family by Wilson and Wägele (1994). After assessing the degree of development of this body somite, we observed that among the Lepidocharontidae, it is well-developed in Microcharon, being as large as pereionite 7. It is smaller and narrower in Janinella and Lepidocharon.
The antennula in the Lepidocharontidae is short, not sexually dimorphic, and composed of a maximum of 6 articles, this condition being derived in the Janiroidea. The segmental pattern of the antennula ranges from 6 to 5 in Microcharon, where the 5-segmented condition is shared by almost all the marine species of the genus, and the 6-segmented condition by fresh groundwater species, which likely retained the 6-segmented antennula of the ancient marine ancestor, in the more conservative and stable groundwater environment, according to Coineau (1986). Only the marine species Microcharon monnioti Bocquet, 1970 from the psammolittoral of Roscoff, France, possesses a 6-segmented antennula (even if the generic position of this species requires confirmation, N. Coineau, pers. comm.). The antennula is 5-segmented in Janinella and 6-segmented in Lepidocharon.
The antennal exopod (scale) is present in all the Lepidocharontidae genera. In general, the exopod is rudimentary in the Janiridae, and in members assigned to the Lepidocharontidae is ovoid and small, as in Microcharon, the most reduced condition being found in Janinella (Albuquerque et al. 2014) with a reduced scale, not reaching the tip of the third podomere. Conversely, it is long in Lepidocharon, reaching the fourth podomere, being candle-flame or knife-blade shaped.
The molar process of the mandible is always conical and reduced in the lepidocharontid genera Microcharon, Janinella and Lepidocharon.
In Lepidocharon the mandibular palp is inserted on short cuticular projection, as also observed in Janiropsis Sars, 1897 and Janaira Moreira & Pires, 1977 by Doti and Wilson (2010) and it is figured as a small well-defined article in Trogloianiropsis lloberai Jaume, 1995(Jaume 1995 fig. 16, page 183). This condition is likely primitive in the Janiroidea, and seems to be retained by Lepidocharon.
The distal article of the mandibular palp bears from 5 to 3 robust setae, the latter status shared by the most derived groundwater species of Microcharon. The possession of 5 setae is shared by a few marine Microcharon species, when described, and the stygobiotic Microcharon acherontis Chappuis, 1942 is figured with 6 setae, a state not found in any other member of the genus.
In the incertae sedis genus Angeliera, the terminal segment of the mandibular palp has been described and figured without any seta or stiff setae, and some descriptions refer to the original description of A. phreaticola Chappuis & Delamare Deboutteville, 1952 for which few details are available (Chappuis and Delamare 1952, Delamare Deboutteville 1960, Coineau and Rao 1972. The maxilliped is 5-segmented in Microcharon, Janinella and Lepidocharon. The genus Angeliera placed as incertae sedis in the Lepidocharontidae has a 4-segmented palp as other janiroid families, e.g., Katianira and Natalianira Kensley, 1984 (Katianiridae), raising questions about purported affinities between katianirids and the genus Angeliera (see Svavarsson 1987). The same author (Svavarsson 1987: page 717) rejected this assumption on the basis of the marked differences observed in Katianira and the former Microparasellidae in body shape, structure of the antenna and uropods.
The maxilliped endite has the same shape, recurrent in all members of the family, except for the genus Angeliera, where its distal part is swollen and ending with sinuous setae.
The body morphology is generally similar among members of the family Lepidocharontidae: pereional somites are rectangular in Microcharon, with a welldeveloped free pleonite, shorter and as wide as pereionite 7. Janinella and Lepidocharon have the anterior three pereionites markedly protruded anteriorly, the fourth almost rectangular in shape, and the last three pereionites protruded posteriorly. We assume that the morphology of the pereionites, together with the position of the pereiopods are related to a different way of locomotion of the species.
The pereiopodal dactylus has two unguli, showing a general tendency to be stout and subequal in length in marine species, and slender with the inner claw about ½ the length of the lateral claw in freshwater species.
The morphology and armature of the female operculum differs within the family. A character considered diagnostic for species distinction within the family is the number of apical setae bordering the female operculum. In Microcharon the highest variation occurs: from long, more than two times longer than wide, faintly incised female operculum in marine and freshwater species, bearing 4 or 2 apical setae (Galassi 1991), to rounded and unarmed in the most derived groundwater species (Coineau 1994).
The pleopod 3 has the distal article of the endopod either with 3 plumose setae or completely unarmed. The marine species always have these setae and they are consistently absent in all groundwater species.
Angeliera shows the most striking derived character states, suggesting a divergent position in relation to the remaining members of the family. Janinella shares with Angeliera the topology of the outwardly directed stylet-guiding groove of the male pleopod 1 on both pleopodal rami, a character that may be phylogenetically informative, and likely primitive in the family because it is shared by members of the closely related family Janiridae (e.g. Jaera Forsman, 1949, Iais, Ectias Richardson, 1906. Microcharon and Lepidocharon share stylet-guiding grooves folded by a hyaline lamella that run almost parallel to the free lateral margins of the distal parts of male pleopod 1, a likely derived organization and topology of the stylet-guiding groove if compared to that of Janinella. The stylet guiding-groove is in this case represented by a hyaline lamella, which holds the stylet of the pleopod 2 in a precise position. In the first case, as in Jaera (Wilson 1991: fig. 13.3, page 237), Angeliera and Janinella, the tip of the endopodal stylets of the second pleopod are directed outwards; conversely they run parallel to the lateral margins of pleopod 1 (Cvetkov 1968: fig. IV, page 118) in Microcharon and Lepidocharon, and the stylets are locked in a fixed position by lateral folding of the pleopods 1 (Cvetkov 1968: fig. IIA, page 115). We retain that these differences may have a phylogenetic significance, agreeing with Wilson (1991Wilson ( , 1994. The penial papillae are differently organized in Angeliera: they are tubules which start from the insertion of the pereiopods on sternite 7 and converge at the midline of the sternite of the pereionite 7, maintaining their openings separate and not coalescent (Coineau 1971). In Microcharon, Janinella and Lepidocharon, there is no longer trace of paired penial papillae, as in most Janiroidea, and they are located at the posteromedial margin of the sternite, are very small, coalescent, even if still separated by a medial groove, likely the remnant of their paired origin. The few data available on Microcharon and Janinella show a medial position of the penial papillae (Coineau 1971); in Lepidocharon they are for the first time observed with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (Fig. 6B). According to Wilson (1987Wilson ( , 1991 little information is available on the precise function of the male pleopods 1 and 2 in the Janiroidea with regard to sperm transfer from the penial papillae (penes) to the female genitalia, being still unclear the role of the endopodal stylet of male pleopod 2, and the mating behaviour highly variable among the widely diversified asellote isopods. On this regard, it was argued that the different modes of copulation observed in the marine isopods may have played a key-role in their high diversification in marine and freshwater environments, allowing also the colonization of the deep-sea habitats (Wilson 1991).
The description of Lepidocharon Galassi & Bruce, gen. n. and the establishment of the Lepidocharontidae Galassi & Bruce, fam. n. shed new light on the diversity of the morphological body plans observable in the former family Microparasellidae, allowing for a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of the Lepidocharontidae fam. n. and the Microparasellidae, a family placed as incertae sedis within the superfamily Janiroidea Sars, 1897 (see Wilson 1994;Wilson and Wägele 1994).

Conclusion
The small body size, soft cuticle, possession of the single reduced pleonite with laterally free margins, the simplification of the general structure and armature of the mandibles, the low diversification of setae morphology, the absence of pleopod 5, could be interpreted all together as derived character states, which may conversely be the result of homoplasy for adaptive convergence due to the interstitial life, or to life in microhabitats with reduced living space (Coineau 1986, 2000, Galassi et al. 1999).
In addition, the lack of morphological data in both historic and some recent contributions does not help in reconstructing an evolutionary scenario. Nonetheless, despite convergence, phylogenetic characters can be identified, and a greater degree of character resolution in family and genera definitions developed. Even if comprehensive data for all species are not available, it is evident that the current generic composition of the Microparasellidae could not be maintained. The separation of the Lepidocharontidae fam. n. and its constituent genera resolves the former paraphyletic family into two monophyletic families, which in future should enable a more clear understanding of the relationships of the two families to the Janiridae to be developed. state of affairs, along with the minimal standard of species descriptions, would require a detailed re-examination of the Microparasellus as a whole. Pending this procedure, authorities and dates of common use are hereby maintained.
The Microparasellidae can be regarded as monophyletic as here defined. While we do not enter a discussion into monophyly or otherwise of the Janiroidea, it is apparent, as shown by Wilson's (1994) analysis, that the Microparasellidae lacks the characteristic operculate pleopods shown by the Janiroidea.
Distribution. Species of the family are known from North Africa and eastern Europe only.