Lyphira Galil, 2009, n. gen.

Genus Lyphira n. gen.

TYPE SPECIES. — Philyra heterograna Ortmann, 1892.

ETYMOLOGY. — Lyphira is an anagram of Philyra Leach, 1817. Gender feminine.

DIAGNOSIS. — Carapace suborbiculate; regions of carapace indistinct, save for branchio-cardiac grooves.Dorsal surface of carapace glabrous, variably granulate. Frontal region slightly produced, upcurved, laterally concave; frontal margin horizontal, imperceptibly bilobate. Antennular fossa transversely oval. Antennae short, inserted between antennular fossa and orbit. Orbits small, upper orbital margin unisutured, external angle prominent. Eyes retractable. Anterior margin of efferent branchial channel forms part of lower orbital margin, extending slightly beyond frontal margin, epistome concave. External maxilliped exopod expanded, ovate, not quite reaching anterior margin; endopod subtriangular, bearing in female setose fringe lengthwise mesially; endopodal merus narrow, nearly as long as ischium along inner margin, apex visible in dorsal view. Margins of carapace granulate, anterolateral margins sinuous, hepatic margin produced, posterior margin rounded. Epimeral margin closely beaded, invisible in dorsal view. Chelipeds subequal, elongate, longer in adult male than in female specimens. Cheliped merus subcylindrical, granulate. Chela robust, fingers at least as long as propodus, inner margin bearing a dentiform tubercle in male, evenly denticulated in female.Pereiopods slender, short. Pereiopodal meri subcylindrical, longer than carpi and propodi; dactyli longer than propodi, lanceolate, terminating in cornute tips. Male abdominal sulcus deep, nearly reaching buccal cavity. First abdominal segment of male transversely narrow, yoke-shaped; second to sixth segments fused, last suture line distinct, medially concave proximally, bearing denticle subterminally; telson elongate, laciniate. Female abdomen with first and second segments transversely narrow, yoke-shaped; segments 3-6 fused, greatly enlarged, shield-like, telson subtriangular. First male pleopod elongate, shaft dorsoventrally flattened, tip setose; apical process short, cornute. Second male pleopod short, filiform, apex scoop-like.

REMARKS

Lyphira n. gen. differs from Philyra Leach, 1817 (emendato) in having an ovate external maxilliped exopod; first abdominal segment of the male transversely narrow, second to sixth abdominal segments fused, bearing subterminal denticle; and the first male pleopod bearing a short, apical process.