Eurycyde gorda Child 1979

Eurycyde gorda

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—Panama Caribbean: Galeta Island reef, STRI Coralline 5 (1 , holotype, USNM 168611), 6 (1 , paratype, USNM 168612).

DESCRIPTION.—Trunk fully segmented. Lateral processes crowded; first and second touching, second and third barely separated, third and fourth separated by one-fourth to one-third of their diameter, all glabrous. Ocular tubercle short, only twice as long as minimum diameter, erect, club-shaped with diameter increasing distally, apex flap, armed with circle of large pointed spines varying in number from 12 to 14 in 2 specimens. Eyes at midlength of tubercle, large, lightly pigmented. Neck behind ocular tubercle broad. Abdomen short, broad, curved posteriorly at distal end, armed with circle of 10 large pointed spines halfway along segment length and several small setae distally. Abdomen with distinct suture line around base.

Proboscis with robust basal segment, shorter than 1st scape segment. Remainder of proboscis of typical shape for the genus, but more robust and without distal constriction.

Chelifores robust, moderately short, only 4 or 5 times longer than their median diameter. First scape segment armed with single long pointed dorsodistal spine. Second segment armed with 8 long pointed spines on dorsal and lateral surfaces. Chela a rudimentary knob with 2 short finger buds, carried extended rather than within concave scape tip.

Palp typical of the genus. Terminal segments short, their lengths either equal to or no more than twice their diameter, armed with field of ventral setae.

Oviger segments 4 and 5 relatively short, not much more than 3 times longer than their diameter. All segments armed with very few setae or none. Terminal 4 segments armed with denticulate spines having 7 to 8 dentations per side and all much the same size, in 2 rows with formula 7:6:6:5. Distal spine on terminal segment unpaired, slightly larger than others, almost length of terminal claw.

Legs robust, segments shorter in relation to their diameter than for other known species. First coxa unarmed except for hint of low tubercle distally on 1st and 2nd legs. Second coxae with 1 long pointed dorsomedian spine bearing microsetae and 2 small ventrodistal setae on segment. Third coxae with single ventrodistal seta each. Femur cylindrical, armed with dorsodistal fringe of long pointed spines bearing microsetae. Cement gland unknown. First tibia armed dorsally with 5 long pointed spines, each with microsetae and 2 long spines without microsetae and 2 short setae laterodistally. Second tibia armed with 4 long pointed spines dorsally, each with microsetae, and a row of short ventral setae increasing in numbers distally. Tarsus moderately short, armed with row of ventral setae. Propodus robust, curved, armed with 3 dorsal setae and a row of from 15 to 17 short sole setae. Claw robust, two-fifths as long as propodus.

MEASUREMENTS OF HOLOTYPE (mm).—Trunk length (chelifore insertion of tip of 4th lateral processes), 0.95; trunk width (across 2nd lateral processes), 0.8; ocular tubercle length, 0.16; proboscis length (both segments, laterally), 0.82; abdomen length, 0.26; third leg, coxa 1, 0.16; coxa 2, 0.22; coxa 3, 0.17; femur, 0.44; tibia 1, 0.49; tibia 2, 0.48; tarsus, 0.09; propodus, 0.35; claw, 0.15.

DISTRIBUTION.—Known only from the type-locality, Galeta Island reef flats, Panama, in the intertidal zone.

ETYMOLOGY.—From the Spanish for fat, pertaining to the “pleasingly plump” appearance of the whole animal.

coastal