Galathea autahi Macpherson & Robainas-Barcia, 2015, n. sp.
Creators: name: Macpherson, Enrique
name: Robainas-Barcia, Aymee
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2015
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Malacostraca
Decapoda
Galatheidae
Galathea
Galathea autahi

description: Galathea autahi n. sp.   
(Figs 14, 115 H)  
 Material examined. Holotype: French Polynesia. Marquesas Islands. MUSORSTOM 9, Stn CP1264, 9°21.3’S, 140°07.7’W, 53–57 m, 3 September 1997: 1 ov. F 3.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13559).   
 Paratypes: French Polynesia. Marquesas Islands. MUSORSTOM 9, Stn CP1157, 7°59.2'S, 140°44.2'W, 100 m, 23 August 1997: 1 M 2.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13568).—Stn DW1154, 7°58.5’S, 140°43.7’W, 102 m, 23 August 1997: 2 M 2.1–3.1 mm, 1 ov. F 2.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13567).—Stn CP1177, 8°45.1’S, 140°14.1’W, 108–112 m, 25 August 1997: 6 M 2.4–4.6 mm, 14 ov. F 3.0– 3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13570); 2 M 3.6–4.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13569).—Stn CP1178, 8°46.1’S, 140°14.5’W, 74–75 m, 25 August 1997: 1 M 3.7 mm, 1 ov. F 3.4 mm, 1 F 2.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13571).—Stn DW1170, 8°45.1'S, 140°13.1’W, 104–109 m, 25 August 1997: 1 M 3.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13566); 1 ov. F 3.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13564); 1 M 3.1 mm (MNHN-IU- 2013-13565).—Stn DW1203, 9°52.7'S, 139°02.2'W, 60 m, 28 August 1997: 5 M 1.8–2.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13575).—Stn DW1204, 9°52.6’S, 139°03.2’W, 60–62 m, 28 August 1997: 1 M 3.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13563); 1 M 3.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13562); 1 ov. F 3.9 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13561).—Stn CP1238, 9°41.4'S, 139°03.8'W, 280–370 m, 31 August 1997: 2 M 2.9–3.2 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13572).—Stn DR1246, 10°28.9’S, 138°35.9’W, 90–130 m, 1 September 1997: 1 ov. F 3.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13573).—Stn CP1264, 9°21.3’S, 140°07.7’W, 53–57 m, 3 September 1997: 4 M 2.2–4.0 mm, 4 ov. F 2.2–3.7 mm, 5 F 1.6–2.0 mm (MNHN-IU- 2013-13560).—Stn DW1274, 7°54.6'S, 140°40.1'W, 100–120 m, 5 September 1997: 1 M 2.8 mm, 1 ov. F 2.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13574).—Stn MQ15-GR, 10°28.31'S, 138°40.68'W, 0–28 m, 17–18 January 2012: 1 ov. F 2.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13577).—Stn MQ2-GR, 8°56.231'S, 140°07.240'W, 20–23 m, 07-11-12- 13-29 January 2012: 2 ov. F 3.0–4.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13576); 1 M 2.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13578).   
Vanuatu. SANTO, Stn DB16, 15°35.5'S, 167°15.8'E, 32–40 m, 14 September 2006: 4 M 1.9–3.2 mm, 6 ov. F 2.8–3.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13602).—Stn DB61, 15°32.3'S, 167°16.9'E, 41 m, 25 September 2006: 1 ov. F 2.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13601).—Stn DB65, 15°25.8'S, 167°13.0'E, 13 m, 26 September 2006: 1 M 2.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13603).—Stn DB77, 15°27.9'S, 167°14.7'E, 42–45 m, 29 September 2006: 3 M 2.9–3.8 mm, 4 ov. F 2.3–3.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13597).—Stn FP47, 15°32.4'S, 167°12.7'E, 45–50 m, 2–3 October 2006: 4 M 2.0– 2.4 mm, 1 F 2.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13599).—Stn ZR12, 15°36.7'S, 167°02.0'E, 2–30 m, 5 October 2006: 1 M 3.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13991).—Stn EP30, 15°37.6'S, 167°05.4'E, 103–120 m, 12 October 2006: 1 F 1.3 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13600).—Stn DS104, 15°34.1'S, 167°16.0'E, 10–80 m, 15 October 2006: 1 ov. F 2.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13598).  
New Caledonia. Lifou Island, LIFOU, Stn 1458, 20°46.7’S, 167°03.1’E, 17–24 m, 4 November 2000: 1 M 4.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13593).—Stn 1459, 20°47.0’S, 167°03.0’E, 55–80 m, 5 November 2000: 1 M 3.2 mm, 2 ov. F 2.8–3.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13580 &13584); 1 ov. F 3.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13581).—Stn 1464, 20°54.5’S, 167°05.9’E, 35–50 m, 14 November 2000: 1 ov. F 3.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13591).—Stn 1650, 20°54.15’S, 167°01.7’E, 120–250 m, 15 November 2000; 2 M 3.5–3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13592).—Stn 1465, 20°47.7’S, 167°07.0’E, 35–45 m, 16 November 2000: 4 M 1.9–3.0 mm, 1 ov. F 3.5 mm, 5 F 2.6–3.0 mm (MNHN- IU-2013-13586); 1 F 3.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13579).—Stn 1466, 20°46.5’S, 167°06.2’E, 25–45 m, 17 November 2000: 6 M 2.1–5.3 mm, 4 ov. F 3.0– 4.7 mm, 3 F 2.6–2.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13588).—Stn 1451, 20°47.3’S, 167°06.8’E, 10–21 m, 19 November 2000: 2 ov. F 4.5–4.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13587).—Stn 1462, 20°47.1’S, 167°03.2’E, 70–120 m, 21 November 2000: 1 M 3.0 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13590).—Stn 1469, 20°54.2’S, 167°00.4’E, 70–130 m, 22–23 November 2000: 3 F 2.7–3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13585); 1 ov. F 3.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13594).—Stn 1456, 20°49.3’S, 167°10.4’E, 25–30 m, 26 November 2000: 2 M 2.7–3.0 mm, 1 ov. F 2.5 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13589). Loyalty Island, MUSORSTOM 6, Stn DW430, 20°21.17'S, 166°07.25'E, 30 m, 17 February 1989: 1 ov. F 3.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13582); 1 ov. F 3.8 mm (MNHN-IU- 2013-13583).—Ouvea, 4 m, 17 November 1991: 1 M 4.8 mm, 1 F 3.6 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-13595). Surprises Atoll, SURPRISES, Stn CP1388, 18°23.8'S, 163°06.9'E, 40 m, 11 May 1999: 1 M 3.1 mm (MNHN-IU-2013- 13596).  
Australia. New South Wales. South of Batemans Bay, N side of Burrewarra, NSW 2490, 35.830°S, 150.233°E, 21 m, 23 March 2004: 1 F 2.3 mm (AM P74715).  
 Etymology. Autahi, is the South Star or mother of the Moon and stars which guided Polynesian navigators. The name is considered as a substantive in apposition.   
 Description. Carapace: As long as broad; transverse ridges with dense short setae, and numerous scattered long plumose setae; cervical groove distinct, laterally bifurcated into anterior and posterior branchs. Gastric region with 5 transverse ridges: 1 epigastric ridge usually with 2 submedian spines (3 in holotype), medially interrupted; 1 protogastric ridge uninterrupted, with 1 parahepatic spine on each side; 1 mesogastric ridge scale-like; 2 metagastric ridges, anterior one uninterrupted or medially interrupted, not extending laterally to anterior branchial ridges, posterior ridge short. Anterior branchial region with distinct ridges. Mid-transverse ridge uninterrupted, preceded by cervical groove. Posterior branchial region with 4 ridges, 2 of them uninterrupted. Lateral margins slightly convex medially, with 7 spines: 2 spines in front of, and 5 spines behind, anterior cervical groove; first (anterolateral) at same level of lateral limit of orbit, second small, located at midlength between anterolateral spine and anteriormost spine of branchial margin, with additional spine ventral to between first and second spines; 2 spines on anterior branchial margin, posterior one small, and 3 spines on posterior branchial margin; sometimes second and third spines with secondary ventral spine. Small spine on external limit of orbit; infraorbital margin with strong spine. Rostrum 1.8–1.9 times as long as broad, length 0.6 of postorbital carapace length and breadth 0.3 of carapace breadth; distance between distalmost lateral incisions 0.3 distance between proximalmost lateral incisions; dorsal surface longitudinally concave, with numerous some small setae; lateral margin with 4 deeply incised sharp teeth.   
Pterygostomian flap rugose, unarmed, ridges with short setae, anterior margin acutely pointed.  
 Sternum: 0.8 times as long as broad, lateral extremities gently divergent posteriorly.   
 Abdomen: Somite 2 with 2 uninterrupted transverse ridges on tergite; somite 3–4 with anterior ridge only; somites 5–6 smooth, posteromedian margin of somite 6 straight. Males with G1 and G2.   
 Eyes: Ocular peduncles 1.4 times longer than broad, maximum corneal diameter 0.7 rostrum width.   
 Antennule: Article 1 with 3 well-developed distal spines, distodorsal larger, distomesial spine slightly smaller than others. Ultimate article with a few fine setae not in tuft on distodorsal margin.   
 Antenna: Article 1 with strong distomesial spine exceeding distal margin of article 4. Article 2 with 2 distal spines, distolateral spine longer than distomesial, and barely reaching end of article 3. Articles 3 and 4 unarmed.   
 Mxp3: Ischium with flexor margins ending in small spine, extensor margin ending in acute angle; crista dentata with 26 or 27 denticles. Merus shorter than ischium; flexor margin with 2 or 3 well-developed spines, proximal spine larger than others; extensor margin ending in small spine. Carpus unarmed.   
 P1: 2.3–2.5 times carapace length, somewhat depressed on palm, more so on fingers, with numerous setiferous scales, and some scattered long setae. Merus 1.0–1.5 times carapace length, 1.7–2.4 times as long as carpus, with some spines, dorsomesial and distal spines stronger than others. Carpus 0.9–1.1 length of palm, 2.1–2.6 times as long as broad; dorsal surface with some small spines; mesial margin with row of spines, distal second much stronger than others. Palm 1.9–2.6 times longer than broad, lateral and mesial margins subparallel; well-developed spines arranged in dorsal, dorsolateral and dorsomesial rows; dorsolateral row continuing along entire fixed finger. Fingers as long as palm, each finger with 2 rows of teeth, distally spooned; movable finger with small basal spine.   
 P2–4: long and slender, with some setose striae and sparse long plumose setae. P2 1.8 times carapace length. Meri successively shorter posteriorly (P3 merus 0.9 length of P3 merus, P4 merus 0.8 length of P3 merus); P2 merus 0.7 of carapace length, 3.4 times as long as broad, 1.4 times longer than P2 propodus; P3 merus 3.1 times as long as broad, 1.3 times longer than P3 propodus; P4 merus 2.9–3.1 times as long as broad, as long as P4 propodus: extensor margins each with row of 8–10 proximally diminishing spines in P2–3, 6 spines in P4; ventral margins distally ending in strong spine, lateral sides unarmed; ventromesial margin with terminal spine in P2. Carpi each with 4–6 spines on extensor margin in P2–3, 1 small distal spine in P4; lateral surfaces each with 3 or 4 small spines or acute granules sub-paralleling extensor margin; flexor distal margins each with small spine. Propodi 4.0–5.0 times as long as broad; extensor margins each with 2 or 3 minute proximal spines; flexor margins each with 5 or 6 slender movable spines. Dactyli distally ending in noticeably curved strong spine, 0.5–0.6 times as long as propodi; flexor margins each with 5 or 6 proximally diminishing teeth, terminal one prominent.   
Epipods present only on P1.  
 Coloration. Reddish overall. P2–4 with light bands.   
 Remarks. Galathea autahi n. sp. is very close to G. lemaitrei n. sp. from the Red Sea and G. h a l i a n. sp. from the Philippines to NW Australia, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The three species can be distinguished by some characters (see the differences under Remarks of G. lemaitrei n. sp.).   
The molecular data indicate that the specimens from French Polynesia have a low genetic divergence with specimens from New Caledonia (ca. 3% in COI). Nevertheless, no significant morphological differences have been observed between specimens from the two localities, and further analyses are recommended.  
 Distribution. French Polynesia (Marquesas Islands), Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Australia (New South Wales), 0– 370 m.
description: Published as part of Macpherson, Enrique & Robainas-Barcia, Aymee, 2015, Species of the genus Galathea Fabricius, 1793 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Galatheidae) from the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with descriptions of 92 new species, pp. 1-335 in Zootaxa 3913 (1) on pages 53-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3913.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/239230