Munidopsis kensmithi JoneS & MacpherSon 2007

Munidopsis kensmithi Jones & Macpherson, 2007

(Figs. 3 B–C, 4C, 5B)

Munidopsis kensmithi JoneS & MacpherSon, 2007: 485, figS 5A–B, 6 (type locality: off California, EaStern Pacific).

Material examined. St. DV 84, base of the Lamont Guyot, East Mariana Basin, 159.1322°E, 21.7298°N, depth 4833 m, liVing on polymetallic nodules, coll. Dr. Bo Lu using pushcore from Jiaolong manned submersible, R/ V Xiangyanghong 9, 31 July 2014, 1 specimen seX indeterminate (PCL 8.5 mm).

Coloration. Body entirely pale whitish. Cornea dark orange.

Habitat. On the polymetallic nodules seabed, Guyot bases.

Distribution. Off California, the Eastern Pacific Ocean; Lamont Guyot, tropical west Pacific; depths 4100– 4833 m.

Remarks. The small juVenile specimen (PCL 8.5 mm) from Lamont Guyot generally agrees with the original description of the type specimens, eXcept that the chelipeds haVe no epipod. It also differs from the type specimens in lacking a small process on the front margin behind the antennal peduncle, the lateral branchial margins parallel rather than weakly conVeX, and the anterior margin of the carapace anterolateral process somewhat transVerse rather than concaVe. These distinctions, howeVer, might be size-related Variations considering that the specimen is much smaller than the holotype (PCL 25.8 mm). We proVisionally assign it to M. kensmithi, until significant differences can be assessed.

Munidopsis kensmithi has been reported only from off California, eastern Pacific. The present material from the East Mariana Basin eXtends its distribution range to the western Pacific. A specimen, which is probably the sample we eXamined, on the operating location was obserVed associated with an artificial rubbish that fell on the polymetallic nodules seabed, indicating that the contamination from human actiVities has eXerted direct influence on the deep-sea animals (Fig. 5 B).