Megarhethus brevicheliferus (Hedgpeth 1948)

Megarhethus brevicheliferus (Hedgpeth)

Achelia brevichelifera Hedgpeth, 1948:245, 246, fig. 38h–1.

Scipiolus brevicheliferus.—Stock, 1968:15 [text].

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—North American Slope: Fish Hawk, sta 1028, 39°57′N, 69°17′W, trawl, 750 m, 14 Sep 1881 (1 holotype, USNM 81097). Albatross, sta 2212, 39°59.5′N, 70°30.7′W, trawl, 783 m, 22 Aug 1884 (1 paratype, USNM 81098).

OTHER MATERIAL.—North American Slope: Chain cruise 88, sta 207, 39°51.3′N, 70°54.3, epibenthic sled, 805–811 m, 21 Feb 1969 (12, 5, 8 juveniles). Knorr cruise 35, sta 346, 39°54.1′N, 70°10.7′W, epibenthic sled, 457 m, 3 Dec 1973 (1).

North American Basin: Atlantis II cruise 12, sta 62, 39°26′N, 70°33′W, epibenthic sled, 2496 m, 21 Aug 1964 (2, 3, 2 juveniles). Atlantis I cruise 273, sta GH-1, 39°25.5′N, 70°35′W, 2500 m, 27 Sep 1961 (1 juvenile).

TYPE-LOCALITY.—North American Slope in 750 to 783 meters.

DISTRIBUTION.—Known only from the North American Slope and Basin in 750 to 2500 meters.

DESCRIPTION OF MALE.—Lateral processes each with a distal anterior and posterior seta. Ovigers implanted anterior to and not touching 1st lateral processes. Eye tubercle at posterior of broad chelifore bases on anterior part of neck, conical, without eyes but with large distinctive lateral papillae. Oviger 2nd, 4th, and 5th segments equal, with several ectal setae. 6th segment with several long ectal setae and 1 small endal spine. Strigilis weak, armed with 2:1:2 denticulate spines having 4 to 7 serrations per side. Terminal segment slightly longer than wide, armed with 2 short setae lateral to denticulate spines. Femoral cement gland a slender tube placed 0.6 the distance toward the distal end of the femur and arising from a low swelling. Other characters as with the female.

bathyal to abyssal