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A New Species of Sphaeromopsis Holdich and Jones 1973 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Sphaeromatidae) from the Andaman Islands, Northern Indian Ocean

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Abstract

Sphaeromopsis sikata sp. nov. is described from intertidal habitats of South Andaman coast, Andaman Islands. Sphaeromopsis sikata sp. nov., the first record of the genus from India, is characterized by the pleotelson lateral margins not being folded ventrally and the uropodal exopod lateral margin proximal to medial smooth; distal margin is serrate with three teeth, apex concave with three setae, and mesial margin smooth. An annotated list of Sphaeromopsis species is provided.

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Data Availability

The type specimens PUMB 3588, male, TL 2.7 mm; PUMB 3589, male, TL 2.6 mm; and PUMB 3590, male, TL 2.7 mm of Sphaeromopsis sikata sp. nov., are kept at the Museum of Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology of Pondicherry University of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Pondicherry University for providing the necessary fund and lab facilities to carry out this present study. The first author also thankful to Dr. Niel L. Bruce (Queensland Museum and Water Research Group. North-West University, South Africa) for critically reviewing the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Brookshabad Campus, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 744 112, India

    Pathan Anil & Kadeparambil Arjunan Jayaraj

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  1. Pathan Anil
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  2. Kadeparambil Arjunan Jayaraj
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Anil P initiated the work, field work, specimen collection, identification, drawings, and manuscript making. Jayaraj KA reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Pathan Anil.

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Anil, P., Jayaraj, K.A. A New Species of Sphaeromopsis Holdich and Jones 1973 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Sphaeromatidae) from the Andaman Islands, Northern Indian Ocean. Thalassas 37, 279–285 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-021-00288-2

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