Leptophoxoides molaris J.L. Barnard 1962

Leptophoxoides molaris J.L. Barnard, 1962

Barnard J.L., 1962: 14, 51, fig. 40. Barnard and Drummond, 1978: 447. Barnard and Barnard, 1990: 75. Barnard and Karaman, 1991: 618. Gutt et al., 2000: 80–83.

Distribution: E + (Ba)

Weddell Sea: “ Polarstern” ANT XIII/3, eastern shelf, sta. 30 D 24, 70 °05’S 8°21’W, 2334 m (gear: Rauschert dredge) (JG et al. 00); North of Atka, sta. 30, 70 °05.30’S 8°20’W – 70º5.30’S 8º21.80’W, 2315–2334 m (MR unpubl.).

Type-locality: “Vema” 14, off South Africa, Cape Basin, sta. 52, 41 °03’S 7°49’E, 4961 m (bottom trawl; gear: small beam trawl) (JLB 62).

Depth range: 2315–2334 m.

Ecology: From deep–sea, apparently sandy bottom.

Extralimital distribution: “Vema” 14, off South Africa, Cape Basin, sta. 52, 41 °03’S 7°49’E, 4961 m (bottom trawl; gear: small beam trawl) (JLB 62).

Extralimital depth range: 4961 m.

Type material location: LGOC, New York.

Remarks: This is the unique species in the genus Leptophoxoides J.L. Barnard, 1962, described from the Cape Basin, off South Africa. It is characterized by a deflexed rostrum, a well developed molar, maxilla 1 with inner plate as large as outer and maxilliped with article 3 produced apically.

Gutt et al. (2000) found this deep bathyal/abyssal taxon in the Weddell Sea and recently, Rauschert (unpubl.) extended its distribution in the same area.