Memoirs of the Museum of Victoria 50(2): 437-441 (1990)
ISSN 0814-1827
MYSIDELLA AUSTRALIANA SP. NOV. FROM BASS STRAIT, AUSTRALIA
(CRUSTACEA: MYSIDAE: MYSIDELLINAE)
By Gwen Elizabeth Fenton
Zoology Department, University of Tasmania, G.P.O. Box 252C, Hobart 7001
Abstract
Fenton. G.E.. 1 990. Mysidella australiana sp. nov. from Bass Strait, Australia (Crustacea:
Mysidae: Mysidellinae). Memoirs of the Museum of Victoria 50(2): 437-441.
Mysidella australiana sp. nov. is described from material collected in Bass Strait, southern
Australia. Its occurrence represents the first record of this subfamily and genus from the
Southern Hemisphere.
Introduction
A study of mysid fauna from Bass Strait,
southern Australia has revealed a new species
belonging to the genus Mysidella. The species M.
australiana sp. nov., described here, represents
the first record of the genus from Australian
waters and from the Southern Hemisphere.
Diagnostic details of the subfamily Mysidellinae
and the genus Mysidella are given here since they
are not readily available.
Mysidellinae
Diagnosis. (Based on definitions given in Tatter-
sall and Tattersall. 1951 and Ii, 1964). Labrum
posteriorly produced into a large plate divided
by deep incision forming 2 unequal lobes. Man-
dibles with cutting lobe expanded greatly with
straight edge and without teeth. Maxillule with
lobes bending strongly inward: outer lobe large
with numerous spines; inner lobe small bearing
plumose setae. Sixth segment of first thoracic
endopod expanded and armed with spines.
Carpo-propodus of thoracic legs 3-8 divided by
1-2 transverse articulations. Pleopods of both
sexes rudimentary. Exopod of uropod entire;
outer margin with setae and no spines. Telson
with distal cleft. Female with 3 pairs of brood
lamellae.
Remarks. The subfamily Mysidellinae, estab-
lished by Norman 1892, is unusual within the
Order Mysidacea since it consists of only the
genus Mysidella G.O. Sars. This subfamily is
easily recognised by the distinctive form of the
labrum.
Mysidella GO. Sars
Mysidella G.O. Sars, 1872: 266. Type species Mysi-
della typica G.O. Sars, 1872 by original designation.
Diagnosis. (Based on definitions given in Tatter-
sall and Tattersall, 1951 and Ii, 1964). Eyes well
developed or rudimentary. General body form
short and robust. Antennular peduncle of male
with setose lobe small and nodular. Antennal
scale small, setose along lateral and medial
borders; small distal articulation. Maxilla small
and feeble, exopod well-developed. Genital
appendage of male at base of eighth thoracic legs
forwardly directed, long and cylindrical. Endo-
pod of uropod with spines on inner margin. Tel-
son cleft armed with spines.
Remarks. This genus was established by G.O.
Sars in 1872 for two species, M. typica from the
north-eastern Atlantic and M. typhlops from
Norway. It was not until 1948 that another
species M. americana Banner, 1948 from
Canada was described. The next two species des-
cribed were both from Japan, M. tanakai Ii,
1964 and M. nana Murano, 1970. Two further
species have been described, M. minuta Bratte-
gard, 1973 from the Caribbean coast of Colum-
bia, and M. biscayensis Lagardere and Nouvel,
1980 from the Gulf of Gascogne. The addition
of M. australiana n. sp., described here, brings
the total number of species belonging to this
genus to eight.
Mysidella australiana sp. nov.
Figures 1-14
Type material. Holotype: male, 6 mm long, Central
Bass Strait, 5 km N of North Point, Tasmania
(40°40.3'S, 145°15'E), 33 m, medium shell, grab, sled
or trawl (see label), M. Gomon and G.C.B. Poore on
FVSarda, 4 Nov 1980(stnBSS 1 15), NMV Jl 1046.
Paratypcs. Eastern Bass Strait, 42 km SW of Babel
Island, Tasmania (40°13.8'S, 148°39.6'E), 60 m,
muddy sand, WHOI epibenthic sled, R. Wilson on RV
437
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