Taeniacanthus similis Dojiri & Cressey 1987

Taeniacanthus similis

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—1 female holotype (USNM 228415), 1 allotype (USNM 228416), and 4 paratypes (females) (USNM 228417) from Meuschenia convexirostris (Günther) from New Zealand; 1 female from Cantherhines hippocrepis from Kangaroo Island, Australia. From Alutera scripta (Osbeck): 1 male from Philippine Islands; 1 female, 1 male from Netherland Indies.

DESCRIPTION.—Female: Body as in Figure 90A. Total body length 1.85 mm (1.75–2.00 mm) and greatest width 0.83 mm (0.80–0.88 mm) based on 4 specimens. Cephalothorax wider than long, 564 × 874 μm, comprising approximately 30% of total body length. Thoracic segments bearing legs 2, 3, and 4 decreasing in width posteriorly. Genital complex wider than long, 143 × 253 μm. Abdomen 4- segmented; segments from anterior to posterior 78 × 198 μm, 64 × 175 μm, 46 × 152 μm, and 106 × 138 μm (1 × w); anal segment with 7–8 rows of spinules on each side of ventral surface.

Postantennal process (Figure 90B) with relatively small base and long slender tine. Labrum (Figure 90C) ornamented with spinules along posterior margin and pair of small lateral processes covered by transparent membrane. Mandible (Figure 90D) similar to that in Taeniacanthus balistae except accessory seta relatively longer. First maxilla (Figure 90E) with 5 setae and 1 anterior knob, similar to that described for T. balistae. Second maxilla (Figure 90F) as in T. balistae except naked accessory seta relatively longer. Maxilliped (Figure 91A) with first 2 segments as in T. balistae (compare with Figure 14C,D); claw strongly curved, but lacking inner rounded protuberance of T. balistae (compare Figure 91A with 14D). Exopod of leg 4 (Figure 91B) with terminal segment approximately 5X longer than wide and bearing pinnate inner setae. All other appendages as in T. balistae.

Male: Body as in Figure 91C. Total length 1.27 mm (1.26–1.30 mm) and greatest width 0.46 mm (0.43–0.51 mm) based on 3 specimens. Cephalothorax 376 × 517 μm (1 × w) and comprising approximately 30% of total body length. Genital complex (Figure 91D) 141 × 179 μm. Abdomen 3-segmented; segments from anterior to posterior 74 × 138 μm, 55 × 124 μm, and 78 × 110 μm (I × w).

Maxilliped (Figure 91 E,F) 4-segmented; first segment with usual distal seta; second segment (corpus) bearing single row of spinules, 1 long and 1 short rows of denticles, and 2 naked setae; third segment small and unornamented; terminal segment a claw (Figure 91F) with 3 setae (shortest of 3 setae hyaline) near base, and bearing small teeth and a few rows of minute spinules along concave margin.

ETYMOLOGY.—The specific name similis, Latin for like or resembling, alludes to this species’ resemblance to Taeniacanthus balistae and T. occidentalis.

New Zealand; Kangaroo island, Australia; Philippine Islands; Netherland Indies