Epimeria schiaparelli sp. nov., an amphipod crustacean (family Epimeriidae) from the Ross Sea, Antarctica, with molecular characterisation of the species complex

Epimeria schiaparelli sp. nov. from the Ross Sea, Antarctica, is described in detail. The new species occurs on the shelf in 130–350 m depth. Epimeria schiaparelli can be distinguished from the most similar species, E. similis Chevreux, 1912 and E. macrodonta Walker, 1906 by a relatively short rostrum and a short second pereonite amongst other characters. Two distinct colour patterns are reported. Partial gene sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) from 11 specimens of E. schiaparelli confirm that this species is new to science and closely related to E. similis, E. macrodonta and E. reoproi. The recent and historical separation of this Antarctic species is discussed. The syntypes of E. macrodonta consist of two species, so a lectotype is here designated.

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