Melita Leach, 1814 (Leach, 1814: 403) — Sars, 1895: 507 (part).— Stebbing, 1906: 421 (part).—Chevreux & Fage, 1925: 227 (part).— Gurjanova, 1951: 750 (part).— Karaman, 1981: 41.— Notenboom, 1988: 171.—Barnard J.L., 1969: 245 (part).— Barnard & Barnard, 1983: 663 –666 (part).— Jarret & Bousfield, 1996: 51.
Caliniphargus Stout, 1913: 640.
Megamoera Bate, 1862: 224 (part).
Nurina Bradbury & Eberhard, 2000: 40.
Type species. Cancer palmata Montagu, 1804: 69.
Species. Melita contains 20 species in the North Pacific (Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Lowry 2015a; Ren 2012): M. alaskensis Jarrett & Bousfield, 1996, M. anmyeonensis Shin, Coleman, Kim, 2013, M. bingoensis Yamato, 1987, M. donghaiensis Ren, 2012, M. hoshinoi Yamato, 1990, M. koreana Stephensen, 1944, M. laevidorsum Stephensen, 1944, M. longidactyla Hirayama, 1987, M. nagatai Yamato, 1987, M. nitida Smith, 1873, M. nitidaformis Labay, 2003, M. oregonensis J.L. Barnard, 1954, Melita (?) orgasmos K.H. Barnard, 1940, M.
pilopropoda Hirayama, 1987, M. quadridentata Yamato, 1990, M. rylovae Bulycheva, 1955, M. setiflagella Yamato, 1988, M. shimizui (Uéno, 1940), M. sulca (Stout, 1913) and M. tuberculata Nagata, 1965. 15 species are inhabitants of the Equatorial and South Pacific and of the Indian Ocean: M. alluaudi Ledoyer, 1983, M. bousfieldi García-Madrigal, 2010, M. celericula Croker, 1971, M. corticis Appadoo & Myers, 2005, M. inaequistylis Dana, 1852, M. kauerti J.L. Barnard, 1972, M. myersi G. Karaman, 1987, M. nitidula Ruffo, 1958, M. ophiocola Lowry & Springthorpe, 2005, M. orgasmos K.H. Barnard, 1940, M. pahuwai J.L. Barnard, 1970, M. sampsonae Lowry & Springthorpe, 2009, M. setimera Appadoo & Myers, 2005, M. zeylanica Stebbing, 1904 and M. poulteri (Bradbury & Eberhard, 2000). Different parts of the Atlantic are inhabited by 15 species: M. bulla Karaman, 1978, M. coroninii Heller, 1866, M. elongata Sheridan, 1980, M. guanaense Ortiz, Garcia-Debras & Lalana, 2002, M. hergensis Reid, 1939, M. intermedia Sheridan, 1979, M. lagunae Oliveira, 1953, M. longisetosa Sheridan, 1980, M. mangrovi Oliveira, 1953, M. palmata (Montagu, 1804), M. persona G. Karaman, 1987, M. petronioi Senna, Sorrentino, Machado and Torrent, 2012, M. planaterga Kunkel, 1910, M. stocki G. Karaman, 1987 and M. tristanensis K.H. Barnard, 1965. M. mirzajanii Krapp-Schickel and Sket, 2015 is endemic of Caspian Sea-Lake.
Species incertae cedis:? M. simplex Myers, 1985 from South Pacific, Fiji;? M. solada J.L. Barnard, 1961 from abyssal depths of Tasman Sea (Barnard 1961; Myer 1985).
Diagnosis (from Jarret & Bousfield 1996, with additions). Head, inferior antennal sinus variously incised, anterior and posterior lobes rounded. Pleon segments usually not (or very weakly) dorsally toothed. Urosome segment 1 with or without dorsal tooth. Urosome segment 2 with paired dorsal teeth and / or spine groups. Antennae strong; antenna 2, flagellar segments often ringed with “bottle-brush” setae.
Mandible, right lacinia spike-like, multidenticulate; left lacinia 4-dentate; palp normal, not reduced, 3- articulate, articles 2 and 3 with few setae each. Maxilla 1, outer plate with 9 apical strong setae; inner plate subquadratic, elongated, with truncated or rounded distal margin, setae located only on the distal margin, not on the inner margin. Maxilla 2, inner plate with distal marginal setae only. Maxilliped plates strong; palp segment 2 sublinear; article 3 bilobed; dactyl stout, curved.
Coxae 1–4 medium, uniformly deep, rounded below. Pereopod 1 (gnathopod 1) of males, basis anteriorly setose; carpus slender, sublinear; propodus shorter, anterior margin convex, palm excavated at basal part, with protruding rounded lobe at the posterior part, distally overhanging base of short, basally bulging dactylus. Pereopod 1 of female, carpus relatively deep, lower margin convex; palm of propodus transverse, dactylus regular. Pereopod 2 (gnthopod 2) of males, basis with few antero-distal setae; carpus short, deep, length of posterior lobe about half anterior margin; medial face of propodus with large richly setose distal depression; palm regulary convex, oblique, without distinct palmar angle and palmar tooth, setose; dactyl relatively short. Pereopod 2 of female relatively small, carpus and propodus shallow, subequal in length; palm oblique, nearly straight, without palmar corner tooth.
Pereopod 3 distinctly larger than pereopod 4, dactylus medium size or short. Pereopods 6 and 7 larger than pereopod 5; coxae 5 and 6 distinctly anterolobate; coxae 6 of females, anterior lobe forming a deep, gently curved hook-like processes; bases broad, smoothly convex behind, lower lobes shallow but distinct. Pereopod 5, merus stout, moderately broadened. Pereopods 6 and 7, merus longer than carpus; margins of propodus with short stout setae; dactylus short.
Pleon plate 3, hind corner moderately produced, acute or with small tooth, lower margin weakly serrate distally. Uropod 1, peduncle with strong interramal spur, rami subequal or outer ramus slightly shorter. Uropod 2, rami subequal or outer ramus short, margins strongly “spinose”. Uropod 3, inner ramus very small; outer ramus strong, about twice length of, and broader than peduncle, margins of segment 1 with up to 8 clusters of stout setae (“spines”), segment 2 short or vestigial or absent.
Telson lobes medium, narrowing distally, inner margins with up to 4 short stout setae (“spines”), apices subacute, each with 2–3 strong stout setae, lateral notches evanescent.
Coxal gills on pereopods 2–5 medium large, saclike; gill on pereopod 6 distinctly smaller, less broad.
Distribution. Warm waters of Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Inhabit coastal sea waters, lagoons, estuaries and fresh waters.
Remarks. There is considerable confusion in definition of the true scope of the genus Melita. Modern authors (Krapp-Schickel & Sket 2015; Lowry 2015a; Ren 2012) include into this genus species are already belonging to other well distinguishable genera. In addition, some species have a set of features that allow move them into new genera (see above). Below we discuss the species, which are placed outside the genus Melita.
Melita abyssorum Stephensen, 1944 is listed by Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) and by Lowry (2015a) is a member of the genus Quasimelita as Q. abyssorum (Stephensen, 1944) (Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Labay 2014).
Melita aculeata Chevreux, 1911 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) now belongs to the genus Abludomelita (see above): A. aculeate (Chevreux, 1911).
Melita almagosa Sawicki & Holsinger, 2005 by a set of attributes of generic level is classified in this work to the genus Paraniphargus (see below) as P. almagosa (Sawicki & Holsinger, 2005).
Melita amoena Hansen, 1888 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) is now belongs to the genus Abludomelita (see above): A. amoena (Hansen, 1888).
Melita annandalei (Tattersall, 1925) by a set of characteristics of generic level in this work is classified to the genus Paraniphargus (see below) as P. annandalei Tattersall, 1925.
The reduced accessory flagellum of antenna 1, a weak 3-articulated and weakly setose palp of mandible, the inner lobe of maxilla 1 is " Melita " type, the lacking of facial rows of setae on the inner blade of maxilla 2, the lacking of the distinct posterior wing on the basis of pereopod 7 and the hooked anterior lobe of coxa 6 of female (J.L. Barnard 1972a), are characteristics that indicate a belonging of Melita awa J.L. Barnard, 1972 to the genus Josephosella Ruffo, 1985 as J. awa (J.L. Barnard, 1972).
Melita breviarticulata Ren, 2012 is include in the genus Abludomelita (see above) as A. breviarticulata (Ren, 2012).
Melita cognata Stock & Vonk, 1992 in this work is classified to the genus Paraniphargus (see below) as P. cognata (Stock & Vonk, 1992).
Melita dentata (Krøyer, 1842) is listed by Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) and by Lowry (2015a) is a member of the genus Megamoera as M. dentata (Krøyer, 1842) (Bate 1862; Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Labay 2013).
Melita denticulata Nagata, 1965 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) now belongs to the genus Abludomelita (see above): A. denticulata (Nagata, 1965) (Lowry 2015).
Melita desdichada J.L. Barnard, 1962 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) now belongs to the genus Desdimelita Jarrett & Bousfield, 1996: D. desdichada (J.L. Barnard, 1962) (Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Lowry 2015c).
Melita dulcicola Stock & Vonk, 1990 by a set of characteristics of generic level in this work is classified to the genus Paraniphargus (see below) as P. dulcicola (Stock & Vonk, 1990).
Melita excavata Ledoyer, 1979 by a set of characteristics of generic level in this work is classified to the genus Ledoyeromelita (see below) as L. excavata (Ledoyer, 1979).
Description of Melita festiva Chilton, 1885 is not complete, but some of characteristics of this species are similar to Melita excavata Ledoyer, 1979. Therefore, I also attribute it to a new genus Ledoyeromelita as L. festiva (Chilton, 1885).
Melita formosa Murdoch, 1866 is listed by Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) and by Lowry (2015a) is a member of the genus Quasimelita as Q. formosa (Murdoch, 1866) (Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Labay 2014).
Melita hainanensis Ren et Andreas, 2012 has a set of features peculiar to the genus Josephosella Ruffo, 1985 (see above), so I transfer this species in the genus Josephosella as J. hainanensis (Ren et Andreas, 2012).
Melita huanghaiensis Ren, 2012 i include in the genus Abludomelita (see above) as A. huanghaiensis (Ren, 2012).
Melita japonica Nagata, 1965 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) now accepted as Abludomelita japonica (Nagata, 1965) (Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Lowry 2015a).
Melita kodiakensis J.L. Barnard, 1964 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) accepted as Megamoera kodiakensis (J.L. Barnard, 1964) (Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Labay 2013).
Stephensen (1944) described from coastal waters of Korea Melita laevidorsum Stephensen, 1944. Lacking of descriptions of mouthparts and atypical structure of basis of pereopods 5–7 it can not be accurately attributed this species to the genus Melita. Female is not known. Therefore, I leave this species with great care in the genus Melita, at the base of structure of pereopods 1 & 2 of male only.
Melita latiflagella Ren & Andress, 2008 in this work is classified to the genus Paraniphargus (see below) as P. latiflagella (Ren & Andress, 2008).
Melita leiotelson Vonk, 1989 has a set of features of the genus Tegano (mandibular palp reduced, weak, setae of palp segment 3 very weak; dactylus of pereopod 1 of male regular; merus of pereopod 5 normal, linear; basis of pereopods 6 & 7 is not broadened, coxa 6 of female without “hooked” lobe) and I rename it to Tegano leiotelson (Vonk, 1989).
Melita lignophila Barnard, 1961 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) accepted as Megamoera lignophila (Barnard, 1961) (Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Labay 2013).
Melita machaera K.H. Barnard, 1955 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) and Lowry (2015a) I accepted as Abludomelita machaera (K.H. Barnard, 1955) (see above).
Melita matilda J.L. Barnard, 1972 by a set of characteristics of generic level in this work is classified to the genus Barnardomelita (see below) as B. matilda (J.L. Barnard, 1972).
Melita mucronata Griffiths, 1975 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) now accepted as Abludomelita mucronata (Griffiths, 1975) (see above) (Lowry 2015a).
Melita oba J.L. Barnard, 1972 in this work is classified to the genus Paraniphargus (see below) as P. oba (J.L. Barnard, 1972).
Melita obtusata (Montagu, 1813) from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) now accepted as Abludomelita obtusata (Montagu, 1813) (see above) (Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Lowry 2015a).
Melita ophiocola Lowry & Springthorpe, 2005 on the phenogram of similarity (Fig. 1) included in the cluster " Paraniphargus." With the genus Paraniphargus this species is bring a shortened mandible palp and poorly developed anterior lobe of coxa 6 in female. The set of other generic features (the structure of mouthparts, pereopods and telson) is characteristic for the genus Melita. Therefore, I leave this species in the genus Melita.
Melita pallida G.O. Sars, 1879 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) accepted as Megamoera pallida (G.O. Sars, 1879) (Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Labay 2013).
Melita pellucida Sars, 1883 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) now accepted as Allomelita pellucida (Sars, 1883) (Stock 1984).
Melita plumulosa Zeidler, 1989 has a set of features peculiar to the genus Josephosella Ruffo, 1985 (see above), so I transfer this species in the genus Josephosella as J. plumulosa (Zeidler, 1989).
Melita quadrispinosa Vosseler, 1889 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) now accepted as Quasimelita quadrispinosa (Vosseler, 1889) (Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Labay 2014).
Melita reidi Hamond, 1965 has been described only by females, so the structure of perepods 1 and 2 of male is unknown (Hamond 1965). Coxa 6 of females is not described. This species is close to the genus Tegano according to the structure of mouth parts and I rename it to Tegano reidi (Hamond, 1965).
Melita richardi Chevreux, 1900 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) now accepted as Abludomelita richardi (Chevreux, 1900) (Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Lowry 2015a).
Melita rotundactyla Ren, 2012 i include in the genus Abludomelita (see above) as A. rotundactyla (Ren, 2012).
Melita sexstachya Gamo, 1977 is included to the genus Quasimelita as Quasimelita sexstachya (Gamo, 1977) (see above).
Melita shiodamari Yamato, 1995 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) is included into the genus Tegano as Tegano shiodamari (Yamato, 1995) after Lowry & Springthorpe (2009) (see above).
M. subchelata Schellenberg, 1925 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) now accepted as Verdeia subchelata (Schellenberg, 1925) (Lowry 2015a; Lowry & Springthorpe 2007).
Melita unamoena Hirayama, 1987 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) now accepted as Abludomelita unamoena (Hirayama, 1987) (Jarret & Bousfield 1996; Lowry 2015a).
Melita valesi Karaman, 1955 in this work is classified to the genus Paraniphargus (see below) as P. v a l e s i (Karaman, 1955).
M. valida Shoemaker, 1955 from the list of Krapp-Schickel & Sket (2015) now accepted as Melitoides valida (Shoemaker, 1955) (Labay 2014).
Melita virgule Krapp-Schickel, Ruffo & Schiecke, 1994 has a set of features of the genus Tegano (mandibular palp reduced, weak, setae of palp segment 3 very weak; dactylus of pereopod 1 of male regular; merus of pereopod 5 normal, linear; basis of pereopods 6 & 7 is not broadened) and I rename it to Tegano virgule (Krapp-Schickel, Ruffo & Schiecke, 1994).
Melita vulcanella J.L. Barnard, 1979 is accepted as Anchialella vulcanella J.L. Barnard, 1979 (Barnard 1979).
Ren (2012) found in the coastal waters of China Melita orgasmos K.H. Barnard, 1940 describded from shallow waters of South Africa, Cape Town (Barnrd 1940). Insufficiency description from K.H. Barnard (1940) does not allow us to identify the Chinese species as M. orgazmos. Perhaps it is a new species.
Myers (1985) described from coral reefs of Fiji Melita simplex Myers, 1985. Lacking of descriptions of mouthparts and atypical structure of pereopod 1 of male it can not be accurately attributed this species to the genus Melita. Therefore, I leave this species with great care in the genus Melita, at the base of structure of coxa 6 of female.
J.L. Barnard (1961) described from abyssal depths of Tasman Sea Melita solada J.L. Barnard, 1961. Lacking of descriptions of pereopods 1 & 2 of male and atypical structure of coxa 6 of female (without of “hooked” lobe) and atypical shape of basis of pereopods 6 & 7 (without posterior wing) it can not be accurately attributed this species to the genus Melita. Therefore, I leave this species with great care in the genus Melita, at the base of structure of mouth parts only.