A new species ofParacomesoma(Comesomatidae) from Maldives (Indian Ocean) with an emended diagnosis and an updated key of the genus

Abstract

A new species from the subfamily Comesomatinae is described from the back-reef platforms of the central part of the Maldivian archipelago.Paracomesoma susannaesp. nov. is characterized by a large-sized body, very long cephalic sensilla (72–91 µm long), lateral differentiation of punctuations, and, in the males, 19–22 minute precloacal supplements, relatively short spicules (2.3–2.9 anal body diameter) and a hook-like structure in the distal end of the gubernaculum.Paracomesoma susannaesp. nov. is the only species so far described of the genus which appears to have such a low ratio of the outer labial and cephalic sensilla (about 0.02). An emended diagnosis ofP. paralongispiculumis proposed, along with an updated and modified key to all the valid species of the genusParacomesoma.