Allophryxus malindiae gen.nov., sp. nov., a hemiarthrinid bopyrid parasitic upon the pontoniinid shrimp Coralliocaris superba (Dana)

Abstract

Allophryxus, a new genus of hemiarthrinid isopod, is described. The only species, A. malindiae, is a parasite of the common Indo-West Pacific coral-associated shrimp Coralliocaris superba (Dana). The parasite attaches to the anteroventral aspect of the host's abdomen. Allophryxus is the only hemiarthrinid genus definitely known to have seven pereiopods on the short and four on the long side of the body. The presence of four pairs of biramous pleopods and the absence of telson and uropods from the abdomen distinguish this parasite from related forms.