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Issue: Vol. 5683 No. 4: 22 Aug. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-08-22
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5683.4.3
Page range: 513-529
Abstract views: 71
PDF downloaded: 0

A new species of the genus Metacrangonyx (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from the ground waters of Morocco, with comparisons to all other species in the genus

Laboratory of water Sciences; Microbial Biotechnologies; and natural Resources Sustainability (AQUABIOTECH); Faculty of Sciences Semlalia (FSSM); Cadi Ayyad University; B.P. 2390; Boulevard de Safi; Marrakech; Morocco; Marrakech Museum of Natural History; Allal Al Fassi Avenue; Marrakech; Morocco
Marrakech Museum of Natural History; Allal Al Fassi Avenue; Marrakech; Morocco
Marrakech Museum of Natural History; Allal Al Fassi Avenue; Marrakech; Morocco
Marrakech Museum of Natural History; Allal Al Fassi Avenue; Marrakech; Morocco; Department of Biology; Cadi Ayyad University; Faculty of Science and Technology 112; Abdelkrim Al Khattabi Avenue; Marrakech; Morocco
Marrakech Museum of Natural History; Allal Al Fassi Avenue; Marrakech; Morocco; Department of Biology; Cadi Ayyad University; Faculty of Science and Technology 112; Abdelkrim Al Khattabi Avenue; Marrakech; Morocco
Crustacea Amphipoda CrustaceaMetacrangonyx new species groundwater Morocco

Abstract

Description of a new species of the genus Metacrangonyx Chevreux, 1909 from Moroccan groundwaters. This new species Metacrangonyx boutini sp. nov. is found in the underground waters of the Tiznit plain in southeastern Morocco and adds to the diversity of the Metacrangonyctidae in the Mediterranean and especially in Morocco. In this species antenna 1 reaches 64% of body length, with the first peduncular article bearing a sternodistal robust seta; an accessory flagellum formed of four articles slightly longer than half the third article of the main flagellum; a short antenna 2, about 1/3 the length of antenna 1 and never reaching half its length. This species can be distinguished from other Metacrangonyx species by a short, wide peduncle of uropod 3, without robust seta, but with a simple seta on the inner surface; a very short globular endopodite bearing a small robust seta; and a slightly elongated exopodite with two apical and one or two parietal robust setae.

 

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How to Cite

Elassad, N., Messouli, M., Boulal, M., Boudellah, A. & Ghamizi, M. (2025) A new species of the genus Metacrangonyx (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from the ground waters of Morocco, with comparisons to all other species in the genus. Zootaxa, 5683 (4), 513–529. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5683.4.3