Eusarsiella paniculata Kornicker 1986

Eusarsiella paniculata

ETYMOLOGY.—From the Latin paniculus (tuft), in reference to the tufts of bristles on the carapace.

HOLOTYPE.—USNM 157973, ovigerous female on slide and in alcohol.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—West Florida continental shelf, sta 4, 22.5–58.5 m.

PARATYPES.—West Florida shelf: 1 instar III, sta 20; 1 instar III, sta 22; USNM 193114, 1 ovigerous female, sta 28.

DISTRIBUTION.—West Florida continental shelf; depth 22.5–58.5 m (Figure 4, Table 1).

DESCRIPTION OF ADULT FEMALE (Figures 28d–g–30).—Carapace oval in lateral view with backward pointed caudal process (Figure 29). Gelatinous coating present.

Ornamentation (Figures 28d, 29): Surface with numerous processes bearing short tapering bristles and 1 very long bristle (Figures 28d, 29); some processes without long bristle; shallow bare fossae abundant (Figure 29); surface between fossae bearing minute pointed papillae; papillae longer along valve margin; fossae may be covered with thin film bearing faint reticulations (reticulations visible using × 10 objective and transmitted light). Bristles of various lengths abundant along valve edge and at tip of caudal process, most with broad proximal part becoming wider just proximal to midlength of bristle; surface of valve otherwise without long bristles except on processes.

Infold: Anterior infold with 1 small bristle near inner margin; infold of caudal process with 6 or 7 small bristles forming irregular row near anterior end; 1 small bristle and group of 3 small bristles at inner margin of infold anterior to caudal process; posterior infold with 2 setal bristles.

Selvage: Broad lamella prolongation with smooth outer edge present along anterior, ventral, and posterior margins of each valve; broad lamella prolongation in vicinity of caudal process with fringe along outer edge.

Size: USNM 157973, length 1.24 mm, height 0.95 mm; USNM 193114, length 1.32 mm, height 1.03 mm.

First Antenna (Figure 28e): First joint bare. Second joint with 1 dorsal bristle and minute spines forming 2 rows on dorsal margin. Third joint with 2 bristles, 1 ventral, 1 dorsal. Fourth joint fused to 3rd joint, with 3 bristles, 2 ventral, 1 dorsal. Bristle of long fifth joint with 1 small proximal filament and minute terminal process. Sixth joint minute, fused to fifth joint, with small medial bristle near dorsal margin. Seventh joint: a-bristle about twice length of bristle of sixth joint; b-bristle slightly longer than a-bristle, bare except for minute terminal process; c-bristle about same length as bristle of fifth joint, with 2 small proximal filaments and minute terminal process. Eighth joint: d- and e-bristles bare with blunt tips not reaching tip of c-bristle; f-bristle about same length as d-bristle, with 1 small proximal filament and minute terminal process; g- bristle almost same length as c-bristle, with 2 small proximal filaments and minute terminal process.

Second Antenna (Figure 28f): Protopodite bare. Endopodite weakly 2-jointed: first joint with 2 proximal anterior bristles; small second joint with short pointed terminal bristle. Exopodite: first joint with minute, straight, terminal bristle with blunt tip; bristles of joints 2–8 with proximal ventral spines and distal natatory hairs, also with few proximal dorsal hairs; ninth joint with 2 bristles (1 long with proximal ventral spines and distal natatory hairs, and 1 small bare); joints 2–8 with faint minute spines forming row along distal margins.

Mandible (Figure 30a): Coxale with spines along ventral margin; endite represented by small medial spine. Basale: dorsal margin with 2 minute, subterminal, spine-like bristles; ventral margin with 5 or 6 bristles (some with bases on medial or lateral side). First endopodial joint: ventral margin with stout terminal claw; medial surface with distal spines. Second endopodial joint with stout ventral claw, a small, spine-like, dorsal bristle, and a small medial spine at middle of distal margin. Third endopodial joint with stout terminal claw with 2 minute bristles near base (1 ventral, 1 dorsal).

Maxilla (Figure 30b): Three endites present, with total of about 12 bristles. Coxale with small dorsal bristle. Basale with short bristle near exopodite. Exopodite with 2 bristles. Endopodite: first joint with single alpha- and beta-bristle; second joint with 2 a-bristles, 1 c-bristle (not shown on illustrated maxilla), and 5 end bristles.

Fifth Limb (Figure 30c): Epipodial appendage with 36 bristles. Single endite with 1 small bristle. Exopodite: first joint with 2 bristles; second joint with 3 bristles; joints 3–5 fused, with total of 6 bristles.

Sixth Limb (Figure 28g): Single endite with 3 bristles. End joint with 12 slender bristles with short marginal spines separated by short space from 2 posterior bristles with long marginal hairs; posterior edge of limb with long hairs.

Seventh Limb (Figure 30d): Two bristles in proximal group (1 on each side), each with 5 or 6 bells; 6 bristles in terminal group (3 on each side), each with 3–8 bells. Tip of limb with opposing combs, each with about 5 curved teeth; a small protuberance present between combs.

Furca (Figure 30e): Each lamella with 5 claws; claw 1 fused to lamella; claws 2–5 separated from lamella by suture; right lamella slightly anterior to left lamella; right lamella with spines forming rows along anterior margin; left lamella with spines following claw 5; claw 1 with 6 or 7 stout teeth and numerous small teeth; claw 2 with some teeth larger than others, but difference between large and small teeth not as great as on claw 1.

Bellonci Organ (Figure 30f,g): Broadening distally.

Eyes (Figure 30g): Lateral eye with brown pigment and 5 ommatidia. Medial eye larger than lateral eye, bare with brown pigment.

Upper Lip (Figure 30g): Helmet shaped, with anterior projections.

Posterior of Body (Figure 30h): Evenly rounded, bare.

Genitalia (Figure 30h): Round sclerotized ring on each side of body anterior to furca.

Y-Sclerite (Figure 30h): Typical for genus.

Eggs: USNM 157973 with 4 eggs in marsupium as well as smaller unextruded eggs; USNM193114 with 5 eggs and also smaller unextruded eggs.

COMPARISONS.—The carapace of E. paniculata closely resembles that of E. capillaris. The two species differ in that E. capillaris is without a bristle on the dorsal margin of the second joint of the first antenna. Also, bristles on processes of the carapace of E. capillaris are broader and have blunter tips.