Altopontonia disparostris Bruce 1990

Altopontonia disparostris Bruce, 1990

(Fig. 8A)

Altopontonia disparostris Bruce, 1990: 192 ­202, figs. 25­33, 39k; –1991: 390­391; 1996: 204. – Li, 2000,: 2, fig. 2.

Material examined. (1) 1 ♂, 11 Ψ (8 ovig.), NORFANZ stn. 20/60 or 69, North Norfolk Ridge, 29°41.84’S 168°02.62’E, 322–337 m, beam trawl, 14 May 2003, NMNZ CR.9991; RMNH D 51028 (1 ovig. Ψ).

(2) 1 ovig. Ψ, CL NORFANZ stn. 20/84, North Norfolk Ridge, 29°41.84’S 168°02.62’E, 322­337 m, beam trawl, 14 May 2003, QM W27570.

Colouration (Fig. 8A). (From colour slide). Uniform deep red, except for narrow median dorsal stripe, deepest yellow on rostrum, posteriorly to fourth abdominal tergite. Specimen (2) lacked the dorsal yellow stripe and had the ambulatory propods transparent. Host. No data.

Remarks. The specimens agree fully with the original description. The ovigerous female (2), CL 3.2, has a bluntly rounded non­setose preterminal distal dorsal tooth and a very small distal ventral rostral tooth only. The single male in lot (1), CL 1.6 mm, has a well developed rostral dentition: the dentition is feebly developed in all females, as in the type material.

The present specimens were collected from slightly shallower depths than the earlier specimens, which were mainly from over 400 m. The type specimens were collected from 503 m.

Distribution. Recorded only from the region of New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands and the northern Tasman Sea.