A New Talitrid Genus and Species, Lowryella wadai, from Estuarine Reed Marshes of Western Japan (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Talitridae)

Abstract

A new genus and species of talitrid amphipod, Lowryella wadai, is described from estuarine reed marshes facing the Bungo Channel, western Japan. This genus belongs to the 4-dentate, cuspidactylate group of talitrids and is characterized by having: (1) a short and slender antenna 2, (2) a mediodistally lobate article 2 and reduced article 4 of the maxillipedal palp, (3) a deeply subchelate gnathopod 1 in both sexes, (4) a bulge on the basis and ischium of female gnathopod 1, (5) a marginally bare outer ramus of uropod 1, and (6) a telson lobe armed only with apical robust setae. Several genera including palustral talitrids display features in common with this new genus, but the character combination shown above distinctly separates Lowryella from them. Lowryella is the first stenotopic representative of the Talitridae from estuarine marshes in Japan.