The Crustacean Isopod Genus Gnathia Leach from Queensland Waters with Descriptions of Nine New Species

Abstract

Eight species of the isopod genus Gnathia are currently known from Australian waters. Intensive sampling of various littoral and shallow-water habitats in Queensland has revealed the presence of nine new species. G. biorbis, sp. nov., G. falcipenis, sp. nov., G. meticola, sp. nov., G. asperifrons, sp. nov., G. cornuta, sp. nov., G. variobranchia, sp. nov. and G. (Elaphognathia) forceps, sp. nov. occur eulittorally in dead coral, permanent and semipermanent wood and empty barnacle tests; G. (E.) rimifrons, sp. nov. and G. (E.) bifurcilla, sp. nov. occur in shallow-water sediments at depths of 6-18 m. In addition, G. calmani Monod, previously known only off Victoria, is recorded from dead coral on the reef at Heron I., Qld.

The need for more intensive sampling of the marine infauna of Queensland is stressed, as is the importance of cryptic habitats, such as dead coral, to the smaller elements of the macrofauna.