Spongicoloides iheyaensis, a new species of deep-sea sponge-associated shrimp from the Iheya Ridge, Ryukyu Islands, southern Japan (Decapoda: Stenopodidea: Spongicolidae)

Abstract

A new species of the deep-sea sponge-associated shrimp genus Spongicoloides Hansen, 1908, S. iheyaensis, is described and illustrated on the basis of 6 specimens (3 sexual pairs) collected from the North Knoll of the Iheya Ridge at depths of 988-1051 m, Ryukyu Islands, southern Japan. This is the fourth species of the genus known from the Pacific Ocean. The new species is similar to S. hawaiiensis from Hawaii and S. novaezelandiae from New Zealand, but is distinguished by the differences in spination of carapace, sixth pleonal somite, and third pereiopod. It is suggested that the egg number of the new species is greater than that of other congeneric species. Sexually dimorphic characters are discussed. A key to the Pacific species of Spongicoloides is provided.