Description of two new Apseudopsis species (A. larnacensis sp. nov and A. salinus sp. nov.) (Tanaidacea: Crustacea) from the Mediterranean and a biogeographic overview of the genus

PeerJ. 2024 Dec 24:12:e18740. doi: 10.7717/peerj.18740. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

The Mediterranean Sea is recognized as one of the most threatened marine environments due to pollution, the unintentional spread of invasive species, and habitat destruction. Understanding the biodiversity patterns within this sea is crucial for effective resource management and conservation planning. During a research cruise aimed at assessing biodiversity near desalination plants in the vicinity of Larnaca, Cyprus, conducted as part of the WATER-MINING project (Horizon 2020), specimens of the tanaidacean genus Apseudopsis were collected. These were classified into two species, identified as new to science, and are described herein as Apseudopsis larnacensis sp. nov and Apseudopsis salinus sp. nov. Apseudopsis larnacensis sp. nov is distinguished from its congeners by the presence of a lateral apophysis on pleonite 5, which is longer than those on pleonites 1-4, hyposphenia on pereonites 2-6, and six ventral spines on the propodus of pereopod 1. Apseudopsis salinus sp. nov. is characterized by a rounded posterolateral margin on pereonite 6, hyposphenia on pereonites 1-6, and four ventral spines on the propodus of pereopod 1. An updated key to the Atlantic and Mediterranean Apseudopsis species is provided. This study provides an overview of the distribution, bathymetric, and habitat preference of all known Apseudopsis species. Data extracted from the literature and two popular online databases were analyzed to identify diversity patterns across seas and ecoregions. Our analysis reveals that the Mediterranean is the most diverse region for Apseudopsis, with the Levantine Sea hosting ten species and the South European Atlantic Shelf seven species. Shallow waters and muddy and sandy habitats are conducive for Apseudopsis occurrence.

Keywords: Apseudidae; Benthos; Ecoregions; Peracarida.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biodiversity
  • Crustacea* / classification
  • Cyprus
  • Ecosystem
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mediterranean Sea

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the European Commission for supporting the activities carried out in the framework of the H2020 European project WATER-MINING (project under grant agreement No. 869474). This work also received support from the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland pooling initiative. MASTS is funded by the Scottish Funding Council (grant reference HR09011) and contributing institutions. Patricia Esquete is funded by national funds (OE), through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of article 23 of the Decree-Law 57/2016 of 29 August, changed by Law 57/2017 of 19 July. Financial support was received from CESAM by FCT/MCTES (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/ 50017/2020 + LA/P/0094/2020), through national funds. The APC was supported by the University of Lodz. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.