6 - Sphaeromatidae::“Cute As Buttons”

Key to species of Mesanthura (9 only)
Mesanthura bivittata 47
1. Pigment in tiny evenly scattered chromatophores over body; cephalon
with solid patch of pigment; mandibular palp article 3 with seven
spines punctillata
Pigment not evenly scattered over body 2
2. Pereonites 4 and 5 with patch of pigment, sometimes with unpigmented
area in middle of patch 3
Pereonites 4 and 5 lacking fairly solid patch of pigment 6
3. Pereonites 4 and 5 lacking unpigmented area in pigment patch; five
transverse lines on pigment on pleon; mandibular palp article 3 with
six spines paucidens
Pereonites 4 and 5 with unpigmented area in pigment patch; pleon
lacking transverse pigment lines 4
4. Pigment in obvious double longitudinal bands on pereon and pleon;
mandibular palp article 3 with nine spines bivittata
Pigment not in obvious double bands 5
5. Unpigmented area in middle of pigment patch of pereonites 1-3;
mandibular palp article 3 with 10 spines pulchra
No unpigmented area in middle of pigment of pereonites 1-3;
mandibular palp article 3 with eight spines looensis
6. Pigment of pereon in fine reticulate lines; mandibular palp article 3
with six spines reticulata
Pigment of pereon not in fine reticulate lines; mandibular palp article 3
with four spines 7
7. Pigment in more or less complete rings on pereonites 1—6 hopkinsi
Pigment in strong transverse posterior bars on pereonites 4-7 . .fasciata
Mesanthura bivittata Kensley, 1987a
Figures 18A, 20A-D
DIAGNOSIS 6 5.2 mm, ovigerous $ 7.8 mm. Pigment in obvious double
longitudinal bands on pereon and pleon. Mandibular palp article 3 with nine
spines. Maxilliped lacking endite. Pereopod 1, propodal palm with rounded
lobe.
RECORDS Twin Cays, Belize, under red mangroves, 1-2 m.