Gnathia variobranchia Holdich and Harrison, 1980

Gnathia variobranchia Holdich and Harrison 1980: 231, figs 7 a–h.– Poore and Lew Ton, 2002: 190.

Material examined. 1 3, Lizard Island, North Point, 14.64553 °S, 145.45335 °E, 12 April 2008, small rubble in hollow on crest, 1.0 m, CReefs stn CGLI 020B, coll. N.L. Bruce (MTQ W 14122). 1 3, Lizard Island, stn 7, 1980 (MTQ W 10737). 1 3, Long Island, Chesterfields reefs, 19.8833 °S, 158.3167 °E, 5 May 1979, seaward reef face, dead coral, 12 m, coll. N.L. Bruce (MTQ W 10734). 1 3, Wistari Reef, from dead coral, 3 December 1979, 21 m, coll. N.L. Bruce (MTQ W 10711). 1 3 (damaged), Wistari reef, southwest corner, 11 m, 4 December 1979, coll. N.L. Bruce (MTQ W 10712). 1 3 (poor condition), Heron Island, “Canyons”, reef slope, 1 December 1979, coral rock, 7 m, coll. N.L. Bruce (MTQ W 10713).

Remarks. The present specimens agree well with the description of Gnathia variobranchia Holdich and Harrison, 1980 in body shape and the general appearance of the head. The rami of the pleopods vary considerably in their lengths as shown for G. variobranchia. The appendages were, however, sparsely illustrated by Holdich and Harrison (1980).

Distribution. Occurs the length of the Great Barrier Reef from Lizard Island in the north to Heron Island and Wistari Reef, Capricorn Group in the south; here reported from Chesterfield Reefs, Coral Sea; at depths of 1 to 21 metres.