The identity of the Australian sand-hopper Talorchestia pravidactyla Haswell, 1880 (Amphipoda: Talitridae)

Abstract

The identity of the talitrid amphipod Talorchestia pravidactylaHaswell, 1880is clarified based on recently rediscovered syntypes. Talorchestia pravidactyla was placed in BellorchestiaSerejo & Lowry, 2008and regarded as endemic to Tasmania, but its identity has remained unclear until now. Bellorchestia pravidactyla is redescribed based on the examination of an extensive series of specimens and regarded as a senior synonym of Bellorchestia richardsoniSerejo & Lowry, 2008and B. mariaeLowry, 2012, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Bellorchestia mariae (New South Wales) and B. richardsoni (Victoria) were described from type series of significantly different size, and represent allometric phases of B. Pravidactyla. Bellorchestia pravidactyla is a common sand-hopper species that burrows in sand beaches throughout southeastern Australia, including Tasmania.