Abstract
A new genus and species of janiroidean Asellota, Xenosella coxospinosa, is described from the mid-bathyal slope off the coast of south-eastern Australia. Following a comparison of the new species to several families of broadly similar body shape, with emphasis on monotypic Pleurocopidae, a new family, Xenosellidae, is proposed for the new species. In the course of comparing relevant taxa, the current placements of Prethura Kensley in the Santiidae and Salvatiella Müller in the Munnidae are rejected. The two genera are considered to be incertae sedis within the Asellota superfamily Janiroidea pending further studies.
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