Three new sympatric species of Remipedia (Crustacea) from Great Exuma Island, Bahamas Islands

Abstract

Three new sympatric species of remipede crustaceans, Speleonectes tanumekes, Speleonectes parabenjamini and Speleonectes minnsi, are described from an anchihaline cave on Great Exuma Island in the central Bahamas. Speleonectes tanumekes is a comparatively long and slender species distinguished by the largest number of trunk segments found in remipedes to date. Speleonectes parabenjamini is morphologically closely related to Speleonecws benjamini, but differs from the latter species by several distinct autapomorphies. Speleonectes minnsi is characterized by comparatively robust maxillules. The occurrence of three sympatric species is a remarkable record for the Remipedia adding to a total of 10 sympatric taxa. We discuss the high diversity of remipedes in the larger West Indian region with regard to their evolutionary history and origin.