Chalarostylis

Chalarostylis sp. A

Material examined: POLYGAS. Sta. DS15, 47º35.2'N, 08º40.1'W, 2246 m, 21 Oct 1972: 10 specimens (MNHN- IU-2013-11345). Sta. DS18, 47º32.2'N, 08º44.9'W, 2138 m, 22 Oct 1972: 9 specimens (MNHN-IU-2013-11346).

All these specimens are so badly damaged that an adequate description is not allowed. Despite that, this material alerts us about the presence of another species of Chalarostylis in the North-East Atlantic. A few remarks on this undescribed species are presented below.

Only a subadult female from the POLYGAS Sta. DS15 has an entire first pereopod. Like in H. canadensis, the carpus and propodus of the first pereopod are armed with teeth (Fig. 4 B). However, this POLYGAS specimen differs from H. canadensis by having a larger merus (about as long as basis), and a shorter dactylus (about 1/3 as long as propodus) with 6 instead of 7 strong simple setae. The telson from all the POLYGAS specimens examined are armed with a medial distal seta distinctly stronger than the lateral ones (see Figs. 4 C, 5A, 5C), a setal arrangement that resembles that of Hemilamprops longisetae from New Caledonia. In addition, both in the subadult females and the adult males the uropod peduncle is about three times the length of the telson. Unfortunately, the first pereopod of H. longisetae is unknown and the uropods are damaged with only the proximal part of the peduncles remaining. Despite that, the POLYGAS specimens herein reported are easily separated from the latter species by its accessory flagellum of the first antenna, which is longer and composed of 3 articles (see Figs. 4 A and 5B). The flagellum of H. longisetae is very short and has only 2 articles.

Distribution. Recorded so far at two close stations in the Bay of Biscay, between 2138 and 2246 m (Fig. 6).