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Type: Article
Published: 2026-07-21
Page range: 216-228
Abstract views: 343
PDF downloaded: 22

A new species of Cilicaeopsis Hansen, 1905 (Isopoda: Sphaeromatidae) from the Philippines, and a new record of Cilicaeopsis whiteleggei (Stebbing, 1905) from Singapore

Department of Biology; Faculty of Basic Science; Shahrekord University; Shahrekord; Iran
Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum; Faculty of Science; National University of Singapore; 2 Conservatory Drive; 117377; Singapore
Crustacea Cilicaeopsis Isopoda new species Philippines Singapore Sphaeromatidae taxonomy

Abstract

Two similar species of the genus Cilicaeopsis Hansen, 1905 (Sphaeromatidae: Isopoda) are studied and described from Southeast Asia. Cilicaeopsis whiteleggei (Stebbing, 1905) is redescribed and illustrated based on material from Singapore, and Cilicaeopsis sundang sp. nov. is described from off Panglao Island, in the Bohol Sea, central Philippines. The new species is distinguished by the presence in the male of a very elongate and curved pleonal process, which extends beyond the apex of the uropodal rami, and a broad, blade-like uropodal exopod. Moreover, the penial processes are ~5.5 times as long as their basal width. A new and comprehensive generic diagnosis based on the valid species of Cilicaea is given here.

References

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How to Cite

Khalaji-Pirbalouty, V. & Mendoza, J.C.E. (2026) A new species of Cilicaeopsis Hansen, 1905 (Isopoda: Sphaeromatidae) from the Philippines, and a new record of Cilicaeopsis whiteleggei (Stebbing, 1905) from Singapore. Zootaxa, 5853 (2), 216–228. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5853.2.3