Parapseudid tanaidaceans (Crustacea: Tanaidacea: Apseudomorpha) from Eastern Australia

Abstract

Australian tanaidacean specimens from two extensive collections have been analyzed based on material collected from the Bass Strait and slope in the 1970s to 1980s and held in the collections of the Museum Victoria, Melbourne, along with material collected during the Thirteenth International Marine Biological Workshop around Moreton Bay, Queensland, in 2005. A number of new parapseudid taxa were discovered, including one common to both collections. These taxa, representing three species of Pakistanapseudes, one of Saltipedis and one of a genus new to science, Remexudes, are described in the present paper. In addition, the finding of further material of P. australianus in Moreton Bay has allowed supplementary description of that species. An identification key to the Australian species of Pakistanapseudes is given. The concept of high diversity of Tanaidacea in the Australian fauna is reinforced; the apparent sympatric distribution of congeneric species is accounted for by habitat differences.