White-spotted eagle ray Aetobatus cf. narinari (Myliobatiformes, Myliobatidae).

Los Esteros beach (0°56'51.43"S – 80°41'44.90"O), Manta city, State of Manabí, Pacific coast of Ecuador. The specimens of A. cf. narinari were incidentally caught by local fishermen by trawling in shallow water (depth < 5 m).

Ventral body surface and gill filaments.

Overall prevalence 37.5% (n = 8). Prevalence on morphotype 1, 50% (n = 6). Prevalence on morphotype 2, 0% (n = 2).

1.87 parasites per ray (n = 8). 2.5 parasites per morphotype 1 (n = 6).

5 parasites per infected ray (n = 3).

Holotype adult female, undissected specimen preserved in 70%, ethanol vial (QCAZ No.3452); allotype adult male, undissected specimen preserved in 70% ethanol, vial (QCAZ No.3450); paratype adult male, undissected, preserved in 70% ethanol, vial (QCAZ No.3451); two paratype adult females, partially dissected, semi-permanent slides mounted in glycerin, sealed with Entellan (CO-CH-Z-10036); two paratype adult males, partially dissected, semi-permanent slides mounted in glycerin, sealed with Entellan (CO-CH-Z-10037).

The species name is a toponym; it refers to the type locality where it was collected, Manta City, off the Ecuadorian Pacific coast.

The new species shows a unique combination of characters including (i) slight posterolateral processes on the genital complex (Fig. 2A, B); (ii) large cuticular spines located posterior to base of maxilliped (Fig. 2B); (iii) abdomen nearly 1/2 length and 1/5 width of genital complex (Fig. 2A, B); (iv) third exopodal segment of leg II with a single longer naked spine followed by a minute, naked spine on lateral margin (Fig. 4B); (v) velum of leg II bearing patch of denticles (Fig. 4B); (vi) caudal rami slightly shorter than half length of the genital complex (Fig. 2A, B); and (vii) post-antennal process with posteriorly directed robust tine, sclerotized stump posterolaterally, and two multi-sensillate papillae located on or near base of process (Figs 2H, 3A).

(Figs 2–4). Adult female. Overall length, from anterior margin of frontal plate to distal margin of caudal rami (excluding egg sacs), 4.2–6.1 mm (5.4 mm; n = 6). Cephalothorax (2.7 mm × 2.8 mm) composed of cephalosome and first three thoracic somites (Fig. 2A–B). Carapace almost circular, slightly longer than wide, with obvious paired frontal plates lacking lunules, with shallow posterior sinuses; posterior margin convex (Fig. 2A). Anterior and lateral margins, as well as posterior sinuses of carapace, rimmed with hyaline, striated membrane (Fig. 2A). One large setule in middle portion of each side and pairs of short setules present at regular intervals along lateral margins (Fig. 2C). Antennules visible posterolaterally to frontal plate. Fourth free thoracic somite approximately twice as wide as long. Genital complex (Fig. 2A) nearly 3/4 length and 2/3 width of cephalothorax, rounded, with posterolateral corners forming slightly protruded processes; ventral surface with irregular pattern of small spinules and vestigial legs V posterolaterally (Fig. 2D). Spermatophores elongate, attached posteromedially on genital complex. Abdomen (Fig. 2A, B) indistinctly 3-segmented, almost 1/2 length and 1/5 width of genital complex; ventral surface with irregular pattern of small spinules. Caudal ramus (Fig. 2E) slender, around 1/2 length of abdomen, narrowed at apex, covered with spinules and ornamented with fringe of setules on inner margin. Armed with one pinnate outer seta nearly 2/3 from base, one naked seta outer distolaterally, one naked shorter and one large pinnate setae inner distolaterally, one pinnate and one naked setae distomedially approximately 2/3 length of caudal ramus. Egg sacs (Fig. 2F) uniseriate, each 2.9 mm long.

Antennule (Fig. 2G) 2-segmented. First segment armed with a double row of 22 stout pinnate setae inserted on anterodistal surface margin; apical segment with single pinnate seta posteromedially plus ten naked setae and three aesthetascs around apex. Antenna (Figs 2H, 3A) 3-segmented. First segment with large, posteriorly directed tine-like process; second segment subrectangular, unarmed; third segment forming curved claw, ornamented with membranous flap near distal hook, segment armed with short basal seta in basal region plus slender, naked setae inserted medially. Postantennal process (Figs 2B, 3A) weakly curved, with posteriorly directed robust tine, sclerotized stump posterolaterally, and two multi-sensillate papillae located on or near base of process. Mouth tube with intrabuccal stylet and strigil (Fig. 3C); mandible (Figs 2I, 3D) comprising four sections, bearing 12 apical teeth on inner margin. Maxillule (Fig. 2J) consisting of palp with one long and two shorter naked setae and large, subtriangular dentiform process. Sclerotized plate lateral to base of palp with a robust dentiform process directed posteriorly. Post-oral process present, consisting of raised, crescent-shaped sclerite located posteriorly to dentiform process. Maxilla (Fig. 2K) brachiform; basis with flabellum at approximately mid-length and distally with calamus and canna. Calamus nearly three times as long as canna, each rimmed with serrated membrane (Fig. 2L). Maxilliped (Figs 2M, 3B) with slender corpus, ornamented with medioventral spine; subchela (claw) slender, weakly curved, around half length of corpus, armed with relatively long naked seta on proximal 1/3. Post-maxillipedal process (Fig. 2B) present, consisting of pair of cuticular spines.

Leg I (Figs 3E, 4A) conspicuously biramous; sympod with one outer and one inner pinnate setae. Exopod 2-segmented; first segment armed with small outer distal spine and ornamented with usual row of setules along inner margin; second segment with pinnate apical seta IV much shorter than outermost spine I. Spines I and II bilaterally serrate; spines III shorter, not serrate, with well-developed accessory process. Inner margin with three large plumose setae. Endopod 2-segmented, almost same length as first exopod segment; first endopodal segment medially expanded, robust, unarmed; second segment with three inner pinnate setae and setules around lateral and distolateral margins.

Leg II (Figs 3F, 4B) biramous; sympod armed with short outer pinnate seta distally, plus two small outer setules on proximal position, one naked inner seta distally and long inner pinnate seta proximally; with small patch of spinules on outer proximal surface and inner margin fringed with narrow membrane. Exopod 3-segmented; first segment with setules on medial margin, long, pinnate seta distomedially and long, stout, bilaterally serrate distolateral spine, with pectinate membrane at base; Second segment bearing shorter, serrate spine distolaterally and long, medial pinnate setae; third segment with six pinnate setae decreasing in length toward outer margin and one longer naked spine followed by one minute, naked spine on lateral margin. Endopod 3-segmented; first segment with long pinnate seta distomedially and velum fringed with short setules; second segment with two long pinnate setae distomedially and velum fringed with short setules; third segment short, rounded, bearing six long pinnate setae decreasing in length toward outer margin and with few setules proximolaterally.

Leg III (Fig. 4C) biramous; sympod with large, pinnate seta medially, fringed with wide membrane along both margins, and ten sensilla scattered on medial surface. Exopod 3-segmented; first segment with slender distolateral serrate spine, distomedial pinnate seta and setules along medial margins; second segment with distolateral spine, distomedial pinnate seta and setules along inner and outer margins; third segment with three short distolateral spines, spine IV shorter than leg II, pinnate setae decreasing in length toward outer margin, and setules along inner and outer margins. Endopod 3-segmented; first segment with large rounded velum covering first two exopodal segments and most of velum inserted on second endopod segment, fringed with short setules; second segment with two long pinnate setae distomedially and small velum fringed with short setules; third segment bearing four long pinnate setae decreasing in length toward outer margin.

Leg IV (Fig. 4D) uniramous, brachiform; sympod robust, with short sensilla on inner surface. First segment with distolateral spinulate spine, pectinate membrane at base and spinules scattered along lateral margin; second segment with distolateral spine and pectinate membrane at insertion; third segment with one subapical and two apical spinulate spines, apical spine being almost twice as long as other two, one small spine and pectinate membrane at base of larger terminal spine. Leg V (Fig. 2D) located posterolaterally on ventral surface of genital complex, consisting of one short plumose seta and group of three short plumose setae on small papilliform process.

Male (Figs 5–6). Body (Fig. 5A) 3.5–3.9 mm mm long (3.7 mm; n = 5) excluding caudal setae. Cephalothorax as in female but smaller (2.0 mm × 2.0 mm). Fourth pedigerous somite two times wider than long. Genital complex somewhat oval in outline. Abdomen 2-segmented with anal somite approximately two times longer than abdominal somite. Caudal rami slender, longer than wide; armed as in female. Body surface with small spinules similar to that in female.

Antennule as in female. Antenna (Figs 5B, 6A) different from that of female, 3-segmented; first segment unarmed; second segment with spine-like process in middle region and two corrugated adhesion pads in each margin of ventral surface (Fig. 6B); terminal segment sharply pointed, claw bearing proximal robust seta with small corrugated adhesion pad, slender seta in middle region and corrugated adhesion pads in the outer margin near base (Fig. 6C). Pair of larger corrugated adhesion pads located anteromedially to antennas (Fig. 6A). Postantennal process as in female. Mouth tube and mandible, similar to female (Fig. 6D). Maxillule similar to female, but only 2 setae in male. Maxilla and Maxilliped as in female.

Legs I, III, and IV as in female (Fig. 6E, F). Leg II as in female, except the second and third exopodal spine, both blunt spines bearing small spinules (Fig. 5C). Leg V (Fig. 5D) located on medial lateral margin of genital complex; consisting of one papilla with three plumose setae along one plumose seta slightly anterior to this group. Leg VI (Fig. 5D) located posterolaterally on ventral surface of genital complex; represented by two plumose setae arising from a single papilla, in addition to one plumose seta near base of papilla.

The specimens were identified as belonging to the genus Pupulina by their possession of the diagnostic characters described by Dojiri and Ho (2013) including the presence of posterolateral processes on the genital complex of the female, the presence of a small conical process posteromedial to the dentiform projection of the maxillule, the presence of a dentiform or membranous process immediately posterior to the maxilliped, a well-developed endopod of leg I, inflated outer margin of the first and second endopodal segments of leg II and first endopodal segment of leg III, distinctly 3-segmented rami of leg III, and the armature of the exopod of leg III.

The new species, P. mantensis sp. n., is mainly characterized by the rounded shape of the genital complex with slight posterolateral processes. Of the six valid species of the genus Pupulina worldwide, only P. merira have very short, rounded posterolateral processes. However, this species is easily separated from P. mantensis sp. n. by the possession of a squarish genital complex, less than half-length and width of cephalothorax (see fig. 4A in Dippenaar and Lebepe 2013), whereas the new species possesses a larger genital complex, rounded, around 3/4 length and 2/3 width of cephalothorax. Pupulina cliffi and P. keiri differs from P. mantensis sp. n. by the lack of posterolateral processes in the genital complex (see fig. 1A in Dippenaar and Lebepe 2013 and fig. 73C in Boxshall 2018, respectively). Pupulina cliffi also differs from P. mantensis sp. n. by the subquadrate shape of the genital complex with anterolateral corners slightly protruded (see fig. 1A in Dippenaar and Lebepe 2013). Pupulina keiri also differs from P. mantensis sp. n. by the shape and proportion of the genital complex 1.2 times wider than long, with linear lateral margins and anterolateral corners slightly protruded (see fig. 73C in Boxshall 2018), although the author does not mention this last characteristic, whereas in P. mantensis sp. n. the genital complex is 1.2 times longer than wider, rounded and without anterolateral corners protruded. According to Wilson (1952) and Dojiri and Ho (2013), the members of Pupulina are clearly distinguished from other caligid genera by, among others features, the possession of posterolateral processes on the genital complex. However, P. cliffi and P. keiri are currently the only species of the genus without posterolateral processes (Dippenaar and Lebepe 2013). Pupulina flores, P. minor, and P. brevicauda are easily separated from P. mantensis sp. n. by the possession of large posterolateral processes, extending approximately to midlength of abdomen in P. flores and P. minor, and beyond the caudal rami in P. brevicauda.

In addition to the characteristic mentioned above the new species differs from the other species by bearing sclerotized plate of the maxillule with dentiform process (without process dentiform each other except by P. flores), posterolateral process on genital complex not bulging (except by Pupulina cliffi, P. merira, and P. keiri), and sympod of leg IV with few spinules on surface (except by Pupulina minor and P. brevicauda).

Among members of the genus Pupulina, males have been described for four species, i.e., P. minor, P. brevicauda, P. flores, and P. keiri. The male of P. mantensis sp. n. differs from other species by its possession of leg II with its second and third blunt exopodal spines bearing small spinules, and the presence of corrugated adhesion pads in each margin of ventral surface of the second antennal segment, a characters absent in its male congeners except in P. keiri. The male of a new species is more closely related to the male of P. keiri, which was described from the Mobulinae ray Aetobatus ocellatus caught in Moreton Bay, Australia (Boxshall 2018). However, P. mantensis sp. n. is easily distinguished from P. keiri by the presence of small corrugated adhesion pads in the basis and the middle region of the terminal antennal segment, feature absent in P. keiri (see fig. 76D in Boxshall 2018). Furthermore, P. mantensis sp. n. male bears a couple of adhesion pads on the ventral anterior surface, an unusual structure hitherto undescribed in the genus.

Pupulina mantensis sp. n. female genital complex has slightly protruding posterolateral processes. It resembles that found in P. merira (see fig. 4A in Dippenaar and Lebepe 2013) and P. cliffi (see fig. 1A in Dippenaar and Lebepe 2013). According to Dippenaar and Lebepe (2013), species of this genus can be sorted by the absence, presence or shape of the posterolateral processes on the genital complex. The new species differs from its congeners by several characters, as follows Pupulina mantensis sp. n. has a sclerotized maxillulary plate with a dentiform process; the leg II third exopodal segment has two equally long spines; the abdomen represents almost 40% of genital complex; the sympod of leg IV bears a few spinules on ventral surface; second segment lacking distomedial seta or spine. Caudal rami are shorter than the abdomen in P. mantensis sp. n., thus diverging from P. merira (see fig. 4A–J in Dippenaar and Lebepe 2013).

In the new species, the female abdomen appears to have only one somite, which is an unusual feature in the genus. According to Dojiri and Ho (2013) and Wilson (1952) in the Pupulina genus, although the segmentation of the abdomen may be indistinct, it comprises 3-segments. Therefore, the number of segments as well as being a characteristic feature of the genus also can help in the identification of its species.