The Marine Fauna of New Zealand: Isopoda, Aegidae (Crustacea)

Variation: Based on the four type specimens. Robust
setae: Pleotelson RS 4– 7. Uropod exopod mesial
margin with 0 (all); lateral margin 0– 2. Uropod endopod
mesial margin varied from 2–4; lateral margin
(n = 0) with 5–8.
The setation of the pereopod palm is consistent with
3 robust setae on pereopods –3; variation occurs in
the distal robust seta on the palm which in the mature
males is equal in size to the other robust setae, but in
the immature male and some of the females it is less
than half the size of the other robust setae (this can vary
within the individual). The robust setae on the inferior
margin of the merus were consistently +2.
remarks: Rocinela resima sp. nov. can be identified by
the ovate body shape, strongly produced and upturned
rostrum, relatively widely separated eyes, pereopods
–3 with three robust setae on a small, rounded propodal
blade, and relatively narrow uropodal rami with
posteriorly rounded uropodal endopod. Males have
upturned and truncate rostrum, and relatively short
and robust dactyli on pereopods –3.
In New Zealand waters Rocinela bonita sp. nov. is
the most similar species. R. resima can be distinguished
from that species by a number of characters including
pereopods –3 having a less produced and more
rounded propodal blade with three robust setae (v.
sub-rectangular with four robust setae in R. bonita),
shorter and more robust dactylus in mature males
( .0 times as long as propodus v. 2.0 times as long as
propodus in R. bonita), shorter and more stout robust
setae on the merus, shorter robust setae on the inferior
margins of pereopod 7, and the uropodal endopod
with an evenly convex lateral margin and smoothly
rounded distal margin (v. sinuate lateral margin, apex
with distinct apical point), and a narrower uropodal
exopod (3.0 times as long as wide v. 2.4 times as long
as wide in R. bonita).
There are two northern Pacific species, both showing
some similarity to Rocinela resima sp. nov. Rocinela
hawaiiensis Richardson, 903 is known from only two
specimens (from Hawai’i and Pacific Mexico) and the
adult male has not been described (Brusca & France
992). The female of R. resima differs in having the distalmost
robust seta on the propodal palm of pereopods
–3 small, whereas in R. hawaiiensis all three robust
setae are of equal length, and the pleotelson posterior
margin of R. resima has a distinct median point while in
R. hawaiiensis it is evenly rounded (Brusca & France
992). The other similar species is Rocinela cornuta
Richardson, 898, known from Alaska and Arctic waters
(Kussakin 1979; Rafi 1985), a poorly known species
for which few descriptive data are available. While
the anterior margin of the head is similarly produced
in mature males of both species, R. resima lacks the
anterolateral projections on pereonite and has only
three robust setae on the propodal palm of pereopods
–3 rather than the four in R. cornuta; in addition
Richardson (1898) figured the uropods of R. cornuta
as extending well beyond the posterior margin of the
pleotelson, whereas in R. resima the uropods reach only
to that margin. Kussakin (1979) gave additional figures
for the species, which correspond to neither those of
Richardson ( 898) nor any other species.
89
prey: Not known.
distribution: All records from off southeastern South
Island in the region of the Chatham Rise and south
to Christabel Sea Mount on the northern Macquarie
Ridge; at depths of 870– 076 m.
etymoLogy: Adapted from the Latin resimus (turnedup
nose; simus = pug-nosed) and alluding to the
prominent, somewhat upturned rostrum in the adult
males.
Rocinela runga sp. nov. (Figs 23– 25)
materiaL examined: Holotype, ♀ (35 mm, non-ovig.),
49°38. 0–04’S, 78°47.5 –26’E, off Antipodes Islands,
23 April 2003, 03– 08 m (NIWA 23845).
desCription: Body 2.0 times as long as greatest width,
dorsal surfaces smooth and sparsely punctate, widest
at pereonite 5, lateral margins weakly ovate. Rostrum
simple, anteriorly rounded. Eyes not medially united,
separated by about 40% width of head; each eye made
up of ~ 2 transverse rows of ommatidia, each row with
~9 ommatidia; eye colour dark brown. Pereonite 1 and
coxae 2–3 each with posteroventral angle rounded;
coxae 5–7 with incomplete oblique carina (weak). Pleon
with pleonite largely concealed by pereonite 7; pleonite
4 with posterolateral margins extending to, but
not beyond, posterior margin of pleonite 5; pleonite
5 with posterolateral angles acute. Pleotelson . times
as long as anterior width, anterior dorsal surface with
2 sub-median depressions, dorsal surface with short
setae; lateral margins weakly convex, posterior margin
narrowly rounded, with 6– 8 RS (many missing).
Antennule peduncle article 3 0.8 times as long as
combined lengths of articles and 2 (in situ), 3.5 times
as long as wide; flagellum with 6 articles, extending
to anterior of pereonite . Antenna peduncle article 3
2.8 times as long as article 2, .3 times as long as wide;
article 4 .5 times as long as article 3, .9 times as long
as wide, inferior margin with 0 plumose setae, and
simple setae; article 5 .3 times as long as article 4,
3.2 times as long as wide, inferior margin with 4 setae
(minute, widely spaced), anterodistal angle with cluster
of 2 short simple setae (and 2 plumose setae); extending
to posterior of pereonite 2.