“Epimeria robusta, n. sp.
Walker, 1907, p. 23, pl. 8, fig. 13 (inermis, non Walker, 1903).
Occurrence.—Antarctic: 1. Sta. 220, 1 ♀ 34 mm. 2. Sta. 314, 1 ♂ 22 mm. 3. Sta. 316, 4 ♀♀ 20, 27, 28, 40 mm. 4. Sta. 331, 2 ♂♂ 24 mm., 1 ♀19 mm. 5. Sta. 338, 1 ♂ 26 mm., 6 ♀♀ 24, 26, 28, 35, 38, 42 mm. (the largest ovigerous). Types. 6. Sta. 348, 2 ♀♀ 37, 38 mm. 7. Sta. 349, 2 ♀♀ 40, 41 mm. 8. Sta. 355, 4 ♂♂ 20-23 mm., 5 ♀♀ 21-40 mm. 9. Sta. 356, 1 ♂ 16 mm., 2 ♀♀ 33, 38 mm. (the larger ovigerous).
Description.—Body robust. Integument indurated, with scattered obscure punctures, rather more noticeable on the pleon segments. Rostrum scarcely as long as rest of head. Peraeon smooth and broadly rounded, without any suggestion of carination except sometimes very faintly on peraeon segment 7. Postero-inferior angles of segments 1-4 rounded, of segments 5-7 slightly produced. Pleon segments 1 and 2 with faint indication of a dorsal keel ; segment 3 with a low keel which rises to a small upstanding point on hind margin ; segment 4 gibbous at base, then with a transverse depression, then rising into an upstanding triangular point on hind margin ; segment 5 smooth, very short ; segment 6 with a low medio-dorsal keel ending in a small knob over base of telson, and a dorso-lateral keel on each side ending in a short tooth. Side-plates 1-3 tapering below, 4 as in inermis, 5 more lozenge-shaped and without the tubercular swelling found in inermis, 6 quadrangular, deeper than long, with an oblique ridge from the quadrate postero-inferior angle, 7 relatively small, rounded below. Pleura of pleon segments 1-3 as in inermis.
Antennae 1 and 2, and mouth-parts as in inermis. Gnathopods 1 and 2, 5th and 6th joints rather more expanded distally than in inermis (cf. loricata, Sars, pl. 129, fig. 3). Peraeopods 1 and 2 as in inermis. Peraeopods 3-5 as described and figured by Walker, the hind margin of the tooth on peraeopod 3 not always crenulate or that of peraeopod 5 setulose. Peraeopod 5 subequal in length to peraeopods 3 and 4. Telson and uropods as figured by Walker. Outer ramus of uropod 2 about half length of inner ramus.
Remarks.—Even if there had not been specimens of the true inermis in the present collection, it was obvious that the "Discovery " (1901-1904) specimens attributed by Walker to his inermis could not be that species unless his figure 69 (1903) was quite inaccurate as regards the 2nd joint of peraeopods 4 and 5. The present species is distinguished at once by the broad smooth peraeon and the 2nd joints of peraeopods 3-5, as well as by other less important characters.
Parasites.—In the largest ♀ of No. 3 (40 mm.) and one of the largest ♀ of No. 8 (39 mm.), the brood-pouch was fully formed as if it contained ova or embryos, but instead was occupied by an Epicaridean parasite. In No. 3 the parasite was so broken and damaged as to be useless for study ; but in No. 8 there were two of the parasites, in shape ovoid or subspherical, and measuring 5 and 8 mm. in longest diameter. Both these " balls " were filled with loose granular matter, but externally exhibited no morphological features whatsoever. They are certainly not typical members of the genus Podascon, but probably should be included in the Podascdnidae. Larvae in the Cryptoniscan stage were found in both the ♀♀ mentioned.
Distribution.—McMurdo Sound.”
(Barnard, 1930: 375-376)
