Nerocila kisra Bowman & Tareen 1983

Nerocila (Emphylia) kisra

MATERIAL (all specimens except the holotype are paratypes).—From Therapon puta (Cuvier and Valenciennes): Nov 1976, USNM 183794, with empty marsupium 24.4, 2 non-ovigerous 25.7, 26.6, ovigerous 28.5; Ras-al-Ard, Jan 1977, USNM 183790, 3 ovigerous 16.5, 17.3, 18.6; SG 615 (trawl), 28 Oct 1981, USNM 191054, 24; SG 602 (seine), 25 Sep 1981, USNM 191052, 18.0. From Scomberomorus species: Doha, 16 Feb 1977, USNM 183795, ovigerous 30.2. From Lutjanus species: Fish market, Apr 1980, USNM 183793, with empty marsupium 22.8; 2 ovigerous 25.0, 30.0. From Polydactylus species, caudal peduncle: Jan 1980, USNM 183792, with empty marsupium 25.0. From Ilisha indica (Swainson), on tail: Mar 1978, USNM 183791, with empty marsupium, anterior body not molted, 21.5. From Helotes sexlineatus (Quoy and Gaimard): Ras-al-Ard, Dec 1976, USNM 183788, ovigerous 28.4 (holotype); USNM 183789, 2 ovigerous 28.2, 28.2. From Acanthopagrus cuvieri (Day): Fish market, Mar 1977, USNM 189266, 2 ovigerous 19.6, 24.0. From Pelates quadrilineatus (Bloch), on lower jaw: SG 605 (seine), 24 Sep 1981, USNM 191047, 18.4; SG 604 (seine), 25 Sep 1981, USNM 191050, ovigerous 19.8. From Kathala axillaris (Cuvier): SG, 31 Oct 1981, USNM 191048, 16. From unknown host: Sep 1981, SG 605 (seine), USNM 191049, 18.8; SG 615 (trawl), USNM 191046, with embryos 23.

ETYMOLOGY.—The name kisra is an acronym derived from the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research.

DIAGNOSIS.—Head narrowed anteriorly. Antenna 1 with inflated 1st segments nearly in contact. Pereopods without swelling in dactyls; pereopods 3, 6, and 7 with marginal spines. Pereopod 4 with largest dactyl. Posteroventral corners of pereonites 1–4 not produced into points, that of pereonite 5 sometimes slightly produced, that of pereonite 6 usually slightly or moderately produced, that of pereonite 7 slightly to strongly produced. Coxae produced into successively longer pointed processes, always exceeding posteroventral corners of pereonites. Pleotelson 1.2–1.4 × as wide as long, ending in weak caudomedial lobe. Exopod of uropod sublinear, distinctly longer than endopod; endopod with notch on medial margin and moderately coarse to finely serrate lateral margin.

ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION.—Antenna 1 8-merous; last 5 segments (= flagellum) each with dense posterodistal cluster of esthetes. Antenna 2 11-merous; segments 6–10 each with anterodistal row of fine setae; segment 11 with cluster of apical setae. Mandibular palp with a few scattered setae at apex of 3rd segment. Maxilla 1 with 4 apical spines, one much stouter than others. Maxilla 2 with 2 spines on inner lobe and 1 on outer lobe; lobes covered with fine comb-like scales. Maxilliped distal palp segment with 3 terminal spines and smaller spine at about midlength of medial margin. Pleopods 1–5 with lateral accessory gills on protopod, pleopods 1–4 with medial accessory gills on endopod; lateral accessory gills of pleopods 2–5 bilobed, proximal lobe shown extended in figures, but was folded distally in specimen examined; appendix masculina of pleopod 2 slightly more than half length of endopod; endopods of pleopods 3 and 4 with pocket on posterior surface with lateral opening; endopod of pleopod 5 with complex folds.

VARIATIONS.—Body length varied considerably, from 16.5–30.2 mm for ovigerous females. The degree to which the coxae and posteroventral corners of the pereonites are produced is somewhat variable (Figure 6a,h,g). Pereonite 7 may be distinctly pointed or produced into only a small point. The length and direction of the lateral processes of pleonites 1 and 2 vary (Figure 6i–k), as do the size and spacing of the teeth on the uropodal endopod (Figure 6f–h).