Revision of Bowmaniella sensu Bačescu, 1968 (Crustacea: Mysida: Mysidae: Gastrosaccinae): A Taxonomic Conundrum

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-24-2006

Department

Coastal Sciences, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

Abstract

There is confusion regarding the taxonomy, systematics, and distribution of species within the burrowing mysid genus Bowmaniella Bacescu, 1968. We have critically reviewed and examined the subgenera and the 15 nominal species currently assigned to Bowmaniella sensu Bacescu. Type material of eight of the 15 nominal species was examined and in vivo observations were made on two nominal species of the 'dissimilis group'. It was determined that in the ultimate ( terminal form) and penultimate ( subterminal form) males, the morphology of the third pleopods is distinctly different, a factor which has led to taxonomic confusion and the descriptions of several invalid species. Because Bacescu ( 1968) did not designate a type species for Bowmaniella or for the subgenus Coifmanniella, both taxa are nomina nuda. Our studies, especially those involving the development of the male third pleopod, also indicate that nine of the nominal species previously assigned to Bowmaniella Bacescu, 1968 are junior synonyms. We formally designate two new genera, Bowmaniella n. g. and Coifmanniella n. g., to accommodate the species previously listed under Bowmaniella and its subgenera as perceived by Bacescu ( 1968). We retain the use of Bacescu's original generic and subgeneric names, but with each having distinctly different diagnoses to those originally proposed by Bacescu. Bowmaniella n. g. is diagnosed to receive B. dissimilis ( type species) and B. banneri. Coifmanniella n. g. contains four species, C. johnsoni ( type species), C. mexicana, C. merjonesi, and C. parageia. Lectotypes are designated for Bowmaniella dissimilis, B. banneri, Coifmanniella mexicana and C. merjonesi and a neotype is designated for C. johnsoni. Illustrated keys are given for the seven "burrowing" genera presently assigned to the Gastrosaccinae and for the species currently assigned to the American genera Bowmaniella and Coifmanniella.

Publication Title

Zootaxa

Issue

1269

First Page

1

Last Page

29

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