Open AccessCerrorchestia taboukeli sp. nov., a new terrestrial amphipod (Amphipoda, Talitridae) from Martinique Island
Author(s) -
Christophe Piscart,
Khaoula Ayati,
Mathieu Coulis
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of taxonomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 15
ISSN - 2118-9773
DOI - 10.5852/ejt.2019.576.695
Subject(s) - martinique , amphipoda , ecology , biology , rainforest , invertebrate , key (lock) , crustacean , zoology , west indies , ethnology , history
During recent investigations on the terrestrial invertebrates of the tropical rainforest on Martinique Island (Pitons du Carbet), specimens of a new species of the terrestrial amphipod genus Cerrorchestia Lindeman, 1990, C. taboukeli sp. nov., were collected by means of different quantitative and non-quantitative methods (hand collection and Tullgren extraction) in the forest floor. The new species can be easily distinguished from the only other species of the genus, C. hyloraina Lindeman, 1990, by gnathopod 2 (carpus short, palm longer than wide), pereopod 4 dactylus with a denticulate patch, pereopod 5 basis ovate with a deep posterodistal lobe reaching the distal end of the ischium, pleopod 3 ramus with more than six articles. Cerrorchestia tabouleki sp. nov. is the first forest-hopper discovered in the Lesser Antilles, raising the question of island colonization by terrestrial amphipods. Ecological data and a key to terrestrial Talitridae of Central America and the Caribbean islands are provided.