Sarothrogammarus yiiruae, a new species of amphipoda (gammaridae) from China

Abstract

A relic amphipod of the Tethys, Sarothrogammarus yiiruae sp. nov., is described from Xinjiang, China. The new species is characterized by the absence of eyes; having the palm of the propodus without a mid-palmar spine on gnathopods I-II; a weakly concave coxal plate IV; narrow bases of pereopods V-VII; a peduncle of uropod I without a basofacial spine; uropod III longer than uropods I-II, a scale-like inner ramus, and a biarticulate outer ramus with distinct second article. Detailed morphological comparisons with related species are discussed. Genetic distances of the new and related species are provided as proof of species identification.