The genera Quadrimaera and maera (Amphipoda: Gammaridea: Melitidae) from Mauritius

Abstract

Eight species of the Maera complex were collected from the intertidal, shallow-subtidal zones in Mauritius from February 1998 to February 2000. Two species, Quadrimaera micheli sp. nov. and Quadrimaera mirandella sp. nov. are new to science and two species, Maera mooreana Myers and Maera serratipalma Nagata are recorded for the first time from Mauritius. Full descriptions and figures are given for the new species and previously unrecorded species, together with descriptions and figures of four previously recorded species, Quadrimaera serrata (Schellenberg), Quadrimaera cf pacifica (Schellenberg), Maera hamigera (Haswell) and Maera octodens Sivaprakasam. A key to the species of Quadrimaera and Maera known from Mauritius is provided.