A review of species of the genera Spongicola de Haan, 1844 and Paraspongicola de Saint Laurent & Cleva, 1981 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Stenopodidea, Spongicolidae) Author Saito, Tomomi Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, 1 - 3 Minato-machi, Minato-ku, Nagoya 455 - 0033 (Japan) t-saito @ nagoyaminato. or. jp Author Komai, Tomoyuki Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba, 955 - 2 Aoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260 - 8682 (Japan) komai @ chiba-muse. or. jp text Zoosystema 2008 30 1 87 147 journal article 10.5281/zenodo.5394684 1638-9387 5394684 Spongicola goyi n. sp. ( Figs 11-15 ) TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype : MUSORSTOM 4, stn CP 217, 850 m , 22°03.60’S , 167°27.00’E , 29.IX.1985 , ovig. ♀ 6.3 mm (MNHN-Na 11986a). Paratypes : same data as holotype , 1 ♂ 6.5 mm (MNHN- Na 11986b). BATHUS 4, stn CP 892, 21°01.71’S , 164°27.32’E , 580-600 m , 2.VIII.1994 , 1 ♀ 3.7 mm (MNHN-Na 16294). HALIPRO 2, stn BT 15, Mount K, Norfolk , Ridge, 24°36.28’S , 170°03.85’E , 900-1005 m , 8.XI.1996 , 1 ♂ 6.8 mm (MNHN-Na 16295). — Stn BT 94, Mount Stylaster, 23°36.97’S , 167°41.66’E , 448-880 m , 24.XI.1996 , 3 ♂♂ 4.8-6.2 mm , 1 ♀ 4.7 mm , 2 ovig. ♀♀ 5.3, 7.9 mm (MNHN-Na 16296). OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Japan . RV Tansei-maru , KT95-5 cruise, stn TB-16, SE of Taito-saki, Boso Peninsula, 35°06.3’N , 140°50.2’E , 637-673 m , 25.IV.1995 , 1 ♂ 4.2 mm (CBM-ZC 1398). — KT94-9 cruise, stn 3, SE of Amami Oshima Island, 28°02.5’N , 129°34.5’E , 815- 789 m , 1.VII.1994 , 1 ♀ 5.6 mm (CBM-ZC 9417). Indonesia . KARUBAR, stn CP 09, Kai Islands, 05°23’S , 132°29’E , 368-389 m , 23.X.1991 , 1 ♂ 3.3 mm (MNHN- Na 16297). — Stn CP 16, Kai Islands, 05°17’S , 132°50’E , 315-349 m , 24.X.1991 , 1 ovig. ♀ 4.2 mm (MNHN-Na 16298). — Stn CC 21, Kai Islands, 05°14’S , 133°00’E , 688-694 m , 25.X.1991 , 1 ♀ 4.5 mm (MNHN-Na 16299). New Caledonia . BATHUS 3, stn DW 776, 24°44.24’S , 170°08.01’E , 770-830 m , 24.XI.1993 , 1 ovig. ♀ 4.2 mm , 2 ♀♀ 4.3, 4.6 mm (MNHN-Na 16300). — Stn DW 778, 24°43.49’S , 170°07.07’E , 750-760 m , 24.XI.1993 , 1 ♂ 4.6 mm , 1 ovig. ♀ 6.0 mm (MNHN-Na 16301). HALIPRO 2, stn BT 01, Norfolk Ridge, 23°04.34’S , 167°43.13’E , 724-738 m , 5.XI.1996 , 1 ♂ 7.0 mm (MNHN-Na 16302). — Stn BT 28, Mount South, Norfolk Ridge, 25°23.65’S , 170°29.86’E , 960-1011 m , 11.XI.1996 , 2 ♂♂ 6.8, 7.2 mm , 2 ovig. ♀♀ 7.4, 7.5 mm (MNHN-Na 16303). — Stn BT 83, Mount Jumeau E, Norfolk Ridge, 23°38.95’S , 168°15.79’E , 820-1060 m , 22.XI.1996 , 1 ♂ 6.1 mm , 1 ovig. ♀ 6.4 mm (MNHN-Na 16304). — Stn BT 93, Mount Stylaster, 23°37.28’S , 167°39.37’E , 486-962 m , 24.XI.1996 , 1 ♂ 8.8 mm (MNHN-Na 16305). EBISCO, stn CP 2644, South Lansdowne, 20°54.0’S , 160°59.0’E , 600-625 m , 22.X.2005 , 1 ovig. ♀ 4.2 mm (MNHN-Na 16353). FIG. 12. — Spongicola goyi n. sp. , holotype ovig. ♀ 6.3 mm, New Caledonia (MUSORSTOM 4, stn CP 217) (MNHN-Na 11986): A , anterior part of carapace and cephalic appendages,lateral view; B , same,dorsal view (right eye and antennae omitted); C , thoracic prominences on sixth to eighth somites, ventral view; D , sixth pleonal somite, telson and left uropod, dorsal view (right uropod and marginal setae omitted). Scale bar: 1 mm. FIG. 13. — Spongicola goyi n. sp. , holotype ovig. ♀ 6.3 mm, New Caledonia (MUSORSTOM 4, stn CP 217) (MNHN-Na 11986), left thoracic appendages: A , third maxilliped,lateral view; B , first pereopod,lateral view; C , same,chela and carpus,ventral view; D , second pereopod, lateral view; E , third pereopod,lateral view; F , fourth pereopod, lateral view; G , same,dactylus and distal part of propodus, lateral view. Scale bars: A, B, D-F, 1 mm; C, G, 0.5 mm. Saito T. & Komai T. FIG. 14. — Spongicola goyi n. sp. , paratype ♂ 6.2 mm, New Caledonia (HALIPRO 2, stn BT 94) (MNHN-Na 16296), entire animal in lateral view. Scale bar: 1 mm. Vanuatu . MUSORSTOM 8, stn DW 1128, Guyot Bougainville, 16°02’S , 166°38’E , 778-811 m , 10.X.1994 , 1 ♀ 5.9 mm (MNHN-Na 16306). ETYMOLOGY. — This species is dedicated to Joseph Goy in recognition of his contributions to the taxonomy of the Stenopodidea. DISTRIBUTION. — Japan , Indonesia , New Caledonia and Vanuatu , 315-1060 m ( Figs 36 ; 37 ; Table 6 ). HOSTS. — Demospongia sp., Hexactinellidae sp., Hyalonema sp. , Euplectella sp. and Pheronema semiglobosum ( Table 7 ). DESCRIPTION OF FEMALES Rostrum ( Fig. 12A, B ) 0.26-0.40 of carapace length, straight, slightly falling short of or reaching distal margin of first segment of antennular peduncle; dorsal margin nearly straight, armed with 4-9 teeth, including 1 or 2 teeth posterior to orbital margin; ventral margin smooth or armed with 1 or 2 small teeth subdistally; ventrolateral ridge sharp, unarmed or armed with 1-3 spinules. Carapace ( Fig. 12A, B ) with postrostral median ridge extending to level of postrostral submedian spines; postrostral submedian spine small, straight, directed forward; 1 or 2 additional spinules often present on postorbital region; antennal spine small, acuminate; hepatic spine moderately small; 1-9 small anterolateral spines present, occasionally forming cluster of spines; anterolateral margin with row of spinules, sometimes extending to pterygostomial margin; pterygostomial angle moderately produced,exceeding antennal spine; lower part of branchial region usually with scattered spinules or granules; cervical groove rudimentary. FIG. 15. — Spongicola goyi n. sp. , paratype ♂ 6.5 mm, New Caledonia (MUSORSTOM 4, stn CP 217) (MNHN-Na 11986): A , thoracic prominences on sixth to eighth somites, ventral view; B , left third pereopod, lateral view. Scale bars: 1 mm. Sixth thoracic sternite ( Fig. 12C ) with slender, contiguous lobes, each terminating in blunt point; lateral margins smooth. Seventh sternite with broad subrectangular lobes separated by narrow median notch, anterolateral angles rounded or subacute; each anterior margin slightly concave, rounded at anteromesial angle; each lateral margin smooth. Eighth sternite with triangular lobes, anterolateral angles slightly produced, rounded. Pleon weakly depressed dorsoventrally. First pleonal somite ( Fig. 11 ) with relatively low transverse carina, its margin slightly overhanging somewhat depressed anterior section; anteroventral projection small; pleuron unarmed or armed with 1 tiny tooth on posteroventral margin. Second somite with low transverse carina, its margin not overhanging anterior section. Pleura of second to fifth somites rounded, unarmed.Sixth somite ( Fig.12D ) widened posteriorly, unarmed. Telson ( Fig. 12D ) 1.4-1.6 times longer than broad; dorsal surface devoid of proximal spines; dorsolateral carinae each bearing 3-5 spines; lateral margins each with relatively deep proximal concavity and with 1-4 spines; posterolateral spine present; posterior margin slightly convex or nearly truncate, unarmed or armed with posteromedian spine. Cornea ( Fig. 12A, B ) relatively small, narrower than eyestalk, darkly pigmented; base of cornea not markedly restricted; eyestalk somewhat inflated basally, armed with 1-3 spinules dorsally and 2 spinules mesially.Antennular peduncle ( Fig. 12A, B ) reaching distal 0.2 of antennal scale, all segments unarmed; first segment 1.4 times longer than distal two segments combined; stylocerite subacute, straight. Antennal basicerite ( Fig. 12A, B ) stout, with triangular projection at distolateral angle, ventrolateral margin unarmed or armed with 1 or 2 additional small spines; antennal scale subsemicircular, 2.2 times longer than wide, lateral margin nearly straight, armed with 4-6 teeth including distolateral tooth, dorsal surface with 2 distinct longitudinal carinae; carpocerite short, reaching distal margin of first segment of antennular peduncle. Third maxilliped ( Fig. 13A ) overreaching antennal scale by distal three segments; dactylus 0.7 of propodal length; propodus subequal in length to carpus; carpus 0.7 of meral length, ventrodistal margin weakly produced; merus 0.7-0.8 of ischial length, with 1 spine on dorsodistal margin; ischium with 0-4 spinules on dorsolateral margin and 1 small spine at ventrodistal angle. Exopod rudimentary. First pereopod ( Fig. 13B, C ) overreaching antennal scale by distal 0.3 of carpus, with well developed grooming apparatus ( Fig. 13C ); dactylus 0.4 of chela length; carpus longest, about 1.8 of chela length; merus 0.8 of carpal length; ischium 0.8 of meral length. Second pereopod ( Fig. 13D ) about 1.9 times longer than carapace, overreaching antennal scale by length of chela and carpus; dactylus 0.4 of chela length; carpus 1.8 of chela length; merus 0.8 of carpal length; ischium 0.6 of meral length. Third pereopod ( Fig. 13E ) overreaching antennal scale by length of chela; chela 1.1-1.4 length of carapace; dactylus 0.6 of chela length, with row of sparse small teeth or denticles on dorsal margin; fixed finger with row of sparse teeth or tubercles on ventral margin, extending from midlength of fixed finger onto midlength of palm; palm 1.3-1.4 times longer than wide, dorsal margin distinctly carinate and with row of small denticles and row of sparse short setae; carpus 1.6-1.7 times as long as wide, 0.4 of chela length, unarmed; merus 1.5 of carpal length, lacking strong teeth on each dorsodistal and distolateral angles, with row of small teeth or denticles on lateral surface and ventromesial margin; ischium 0.6-0.7 of meral length, with large dorsodistal spine, and row of small teeth or denticles on ventral margin and occasionally on dorsal margin.Fourth pereopod ( Fig. 13F, G ) overreaching tip of antennal scale by half of carpus; dactylus ( Fig. 13G ) 0.3-0.4 of propodal length, moderately broad, 3.4 times longer than wide, clearly biunguiculate; propodus about half of carpus, subdivided into 2 or 3 articles; carpus subdivided into 3 or 4 articles, sometimes with 1 small movable spine at ventrodistal angle; merus 0.8 of carpal length; ischium about half length of merus, unarmed. Fifth pereopod similar to fourth. Exopod of uropod ( Fig. 12D ) with 6-11 teeth on lateral margin, dorsal surface with 2 smooth longitudinal carinae; endopod with 4-12 teeth on lateral margin. Eggs counting 23-235, diameter 0.7-0.8 mm ( Table 5 ). MALE CHARACTERISTICS Rostrum ( Fig. 14 ) 0.31-0.36 of carapace length. Sixth ( Fig.15A ) thoracic sternite with slender lobes, clearly separated, each terminating in acute tip, lateral margin irregularly serrated; seventh sternite with broad subtriangular lobes, separated by very narrow median incision, each terminating in acute tooth; eighth sternites with subrectangular lobes, smaller than those of seventh somite, each anterolateral angle acutely pointed. First pleonal somite ( Fig. 14 ) with prominent ventral projection supported by short, but distinct ridge, terminating in subacute point. Second to fifth pleonal pleura ( Fig. 14 ) unarmed or armed with tiny marginal denticles; sixth somite with tiny denticle at posteroventral angle. Chela of third pereopod ( Fig. 15B ) about 1.4 of carapace length. REMARKS Spongicola goyi n. sp. resembles S. andamanicus . The possession of scattered spinules on the branchial region of the carapace, the absence of a strong tooth at the dorsal and ventrolateral margins of the merus of the third pereopod, and the distinctly carinate dorsal margin of the palm of the third pereopod immediately distinguish the present new speciesfrom S. andamanicus . In S. andamanicus , the branchial region is smooth; the merus of the third pereopod is armed with a conspicuous subdistal tooth on each dorsal and ventrolateral margin; and the palm of the third pereopod is rounded on the dorsal surface. Spongicola levigatus Hayashi & Ogawa, 1987 ( Figs 16-19 ) Spongicola levigata Hayashi & Ogawa, 1987: 367 [ type locality: East China Sea, about 200 m ]. — Saito & Takeda 2003: 120 . TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype : RV Koyo-maru , East China Sea, 30°44.07’N , 127°48.03’E , about 200 m , 14.VII.1978 , otter trawl, coll. O. Tabeta & K. Hayashi, ♂ 2.8 mm (NFU). Examined. Paratypes : same data as holotype , 1 ♂ 2.9 mm , 1 ♀ , 3 ovig. ♀♀ 2.7-3.4 mm (SUF). Examined. OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Japan . RV Koyo-maru , same data as type series, 7 ♂♂ 2.3-3.2 mm , 5 ovig. ♀♀ 2.3-2.9 mm (USNM 256955). TV Toyoshio-maru , 2002 cruise, stn 9, off Aguni Island, Review of Spongicola and Paraspongicola ( Crustacea , Decapoda ) FIG. 16. — Spongicola levigatus Hayashi & Ogawa, 1987 , ovig. ♀ 2.1 mm, Loyalty Islands (MUSORSTOM 6, stn DW 412) (MNHN-Na 16312), entire animal in lateral view. Scale bar: 1 mm. Okinawa Islands, 26°30.72’N , 127°25.99’E , 439 m , 26.V.2002 , 1 ♀ 2.0 mm (NSMT-Cr). Indonesia . KARUBAR, stn CP 05, Kai Islands, 05°49’S , 132°18’E , 296-299 m , 22.X.1991 , 1 spec. (not measured) (MNHN-Na 16307). — Stn CP 36, Kai Islands, 06°05’S , 132°44’E , 268- 210 m , 27.X.1991 , 1 ♂ 2.8 mm , 1 ovig. ♀ 2.8 mm , 3 specs (damaged) (MNHN-Na 16308). New Caledonia . BIOCAL, stn DW 83, 20°35.07’S , 166°53.99’E , 460 m , 6.IX.1985 , 1♂ 3.9 mm , 2 ovig. ♀♀ 4.4, 4.6 mm (MNHN-Na 11981). MUSORSTOM 4, stn CP 214, 22°53.80’S , 167°13.90’E , 425-440 m , 28.IX.1985 , 5 ♂♂ 2.9-4.4 mm , 7 ovig. ♀♀ 3.3-4.7 mm , 2 ♀♀ 3.2, 4.4 mm (MNHN-Na 11987). — Stn DW 230, 22°52.50’S , 167°11.80’E , 390-420 m , 30.IX.1985 , 3 ovig. ♀♀ (not measured) (MNHN-Na 11974). — Same data, 1 ♂ 3.3 mm , 2 ovig. ♀♀ 3.0, 3.2 mm (MNHN-Na 11985). SMIB 1, stn DW 02, 22°51.9’S , 167°13’E , 415 m , 5.II.1986 , 1 ♂ 3.1 mm (MNHN-Na 16309). MUSORSTOM 5, stn CP 332, 20°17.44’S , 158°48.86’E , 400 m , 15.X.1986 , 1 ♂ 2.7 mm , 1 ovig. ♀ 2.5 mm (MNHN-Na 16310). BIOGEOCAL,stn DW 307, 20°35.38’S , 166°55.25’E , 470- 480 m , 1.V.1987 , 1 ♀ 5.6 mm (MNHN-Na 11961). (Project name not indicated), DP 184, 1 ♂ 2.0 mm, 1 ovig. ♀ 1.8 mm (MNHN-Na 16345). Loyalty Islands. MUSORSTOM 6, stn DW 391, 20°47.35’S , 167°05.70’E , 390 m , 13.II.1989 , 4 ♂♂ 2.8-3.3 mm , 5 ovig. ♀♀ 2.8-3.4 mm , 1 ♀ 2.6 mm (MNHN-Na 16311). — Stn DW 406, 20°40.65’S , 167°06.80’E , 373 m , 15.II.1989 , 2 ♂♂ 2.4, 2.8 mm , 1 ovig. ♀ 2.4 mm (MNHN-Na 11963). — Stn DW 412, 20°40.60’S , 167°03.75’E , 437 m , 3 ♂♂ 1.8-2.6 mm , 1 ovig. ♀ 2.1 mm (MNHN-Na 16312). — Stn DW 487, 21°23.30’S , 167°46.40’E , 23.II.1989 , 3 ovig. ♀♀ 2.8 mm (2 specs not measured) (MNHN-Na 11965). Wallis and Futuna Islands. MUSORSTOM 7, stn CP 609, 13°21.5’S , 176°08.5’W , 430 m , 26.V.1992 , 1 ♂ 2.9 mm , 1 ovig. ♀ 4.1 mm (MNHN-Na 16313). Tonga . BORDAU 2, stn CP 1511, Tongatapu , 21°08’S , 175°22’W , 384-402 m , 31.V.2000 , 3 ♂♂ 2.4-3.0 mm, 1 ovig. ♀ 2.6 mm (MNHN-Na 16314). DISTRIBUTION. — Japan , Indonesia , New Caledonia , Loyalty Islands , Wallis and Futuna Islands and Tonga , 200-480 m ( Figs 36 ; 38 ; Table 6 ). FIG. 17. — Spongicola levigatus Hayashi & Ogawa, 1987 , ovig. ♀ 2.1 mm, Loyalty Islands (MUSORSTOM 6, stn DW 412) (MNHN-Na 16312): A , anterior part of carapace and cephalic appendages, lateral view; B , same, dorsal view (right eye and antennae omitted); C , thoracic prominences on sixth to eighth somites, ventral view; D , sixth pleonal somite, telson and left uropod, dorsal view (right uropod and marginal setae omitted). Scale bars: 0.5 mm. HOSTS. — Hyalonema sp. , Semperella sp. , Pheronema semiglobosum and Euplectella sp. ( Table 7 ). DESCRIPTION OF FEMALES Rostrum ( Fig. 17A, B ) 0.22-0.37 of carapace length, straight, slightly directed downward, reaching distal margin of antennal scale; dorsal margin nearly straight, unarmed or armed with 1-7 tiny denticles; ventral margin unarmed or armed with 1-3 tiny denticles; ventrolateral ridge sharp, unarmed or armed with 1 spinule at midlength. Carapace ( Fig. 17A, B ) without postrostral median ridge; postrostral submedian, hepatic and anterolateral spines absent; antennal spine absent or rudimentary; anterolateral margin smooth or with a few minute denticles; branchial region smooth; pterygostomial angle weakly produced; cervical groove absent. FIG. 18. — Spongicola levigatus Hayashi & Ogawa, 1987 , ovig. ♀ 2.1 mm, Loyalty Islands (MUSORSTOM 6, stn DW 412) (MNHN-Na 16312), left thoracic appendages: A , third maxilliped, lateral view; B , first pereopod, lateral view; C , same, chela and carpus, ventral view; D , second pereopod, lateral view; E , third pereopod, lateral view; F , fourth pereopod, lateral view; G , same, dactylus and distal part of propodus, lateral view. Scale bars: 0.5 mm. Sixth thoracic sternite ( Fig. 17C ) with moderately slender lobes, each tip rounded, margins unarmed. Seventh sternite with broadly triangular plates separated by shallow median notch on anterior margin, anterolateral angle blunt or subacute, lateral margin smooth. Eighth sternite with rounded lobes. Pleon ( Fig. 16 ) weakly depressed dorsoventrally. First somite with relatively low transverse carina, its margin not markedly overhanging weakly depressed anterior section; anteroventral projection very small. Second somite without distinct transverse carina. First to fifth pleura unarmed. Sixth somite ( Fig. 17D ) widened posteriorly, unarmed. Telson ( Fig. 17D ) about 1.6 times longer than broad; dorsal surface devoid of proximal spines, dorsolateral carinae each bearing 2 or 3 spines; lateral margins each with shallow subproximal concavity, and with row of 2-5 spines thereafter; posterolateral spine usually present; posterior margin convex, unarmed or armed with median spine. Cornea ( Fig. 17A, B ) narrower than eyestalk, darkly pigmented; eyestalk unarmed or armed with 1 or 2 spinules dorsally and 1-3 spinules or tubercles mesially, these spinules occasionally rudimentary. Antennular peduncle ( Fig. 17A, B ) overreaching tip of antennal scale by length of third segment, all segments unarmed; first segment 3.0 times longer than second segment; stylocerite subacute, straight. Antennal basicerite ( Fig. 17A, B ) stout, with distolateral margin produced in triangular projection, and occasionally with 1 additional small denticle or spinule on ventrolateral margin; antennal scale somewhat reduced, subsemicircular, about 0.2 of carapace length, about twice longer than wide; lateral margin slightly concave or nearly straight, armed with 2-5 teeth including distolateral tooth, dorsal surface with 2 distinct longitudinal carinae; carpocerite short, not reaching distal margin of first segment of antennular peduncle, unarmed. Third maxilliped ( Fig. 18A ) overreaching antennal scale by length of dactylus and propodus; dactylus 0.8 of carpal length; propodus nearly subequal in length to carpus; carpus 0.6 of meral length; merus about 0.8 of ischial length; ischium unarmed or armed with 1-3 small spines on dorsolateral margin, ventral margin unarmed. Exopod rudimentary. First pereopod ( Fig. 18B, C ) overreaching tip of antennal scale by length of chela, with rudimentary grooming apparatus ( Fig. 18C ); dactylus 0.4 of chela length; carpus 1.2 of chela length; merus 0.8 of carpal length; ischium 0.8 of meral length. Second pereopod ( Fig. 18D ) 2.1 times longer than carapace, overreaching antennal scale by length of chela and carpus; dactylus 0.4 of chela length; carpus 1.6 of chela length; merus 0.7 of carpal length; ischium 0.6 of meral length.Third pereopod ( Fig. 18E ) overreaching antennal scale by length of chela and carpus; chela 0.8-1.3 of carapace length; dactylus about half of chela length, with row of a few small denticles or tubercles on proximal half of dorsal margin; fixed finger with row of small teeth or denticles extending onto midlength of palm; palm broad, about 1.3 times longer than wide, dorsal margin with row of tiny denticles, lacking setae, ventral margin with row of sparse short setae; carpus broadened distally, 1.4 times longer than wide, 0.4 of chela length, unarmed on lateral surface; merus 1.5 of carpal length, unarmed; ischium 0.6 of meral length, with small dorsodistal spine, ventral margin smooth. Fourth pereopod ( Fig. 18F, G ) overreaching tip of antennal scale by length of dactylus and propodus; dactylus ( Fig. 18G ) 0.3 of propodal length, moderately broad, 2.7 times longer than wide, clearly biunguiculate, ventral margin unarmed; propodus 0.6 of carpal length; carpus often subdivided into 2 articles, often armed with 1 small spine at ventrodistal margin; merus 0.8 of carpal length; ischium about half of meral length. Fifth pereopod similar to fourth. Exopod of uropod ( Fig. 17D ) with 5-12 teeth on lateral margin, dorsal surface with 2 smooth longitudinal carinae; endopod with 3-11 teeth on lateral margin. Eggs counting 3-137, diameter 0.4-0.7 mm ( Table 5 ). MALE CHARACTERISTICS Rostrum 0.25-0.38 of carapace length. Sixth thoracic sternite ( Fig. 19A ) with slender lobes, separated by narrow median incision, each terminating in subacute tip, margins unarmed or irregularly serrated; seventh sternite with broad triangular lobes, each terminating in anterolateral angle rounded, margins sinuous; eighth sternite with subrectangular lobes, smaller than those of seventh somite, each anterolateral angle rounded. Merus and ischium of third pereopod ( Fig. 19B ) with row of small teeth or denticles on ventral margins. Chela of third pereopod 1.4-1.7 of carapace length. FIG. 19.— Spongicola levigatus Hayashi & Ogawa, 1987 ,♂ 3.1 mm, Loyalty Islands (MUSORSTOM 6, stn DW 391) (MNHN-Na 16311): A , thoracic prominences on sixth to eighth somites, ventral view; B , left third pereopod, lateral view. Scale bar: A, 0.5 mm; B, 1 mm. REMARKS Specimens from various localities are generally similar. However, three ovigerous females from Loyalty Islands (MUSORSTOM 6, stn CP 412 and DW 487; and project name not indicated, DP 184) have much fewer eggs than the other ovigerous females do (3-7 versus 137). The former specimens are generally smaller than the latter ( 1.8-2.1 mm versus 2.0- 4.1 mm ). Furthermore, in the small ovigerous females, the carpi of the fourth and fifth pereopods are always entire, whereas in other specimens, they are usually subdivided, although this character is intraspecifically variable in other congenerics (this study). For the time being, the small ovigerous females are provisionally referred to S. levigatus , because we could not find other morphological differences warranting to separate them from S. levigatus as a distinct species. In the original description of S. levigatus , Hayashi & Ogawa (1987) stated that the carpus of the first pereopod bore small subterminal spine on the inner side. However, our study revealed that there are actually a few stiff setae on the ventromesial portion of the carpus of the first pereopod, instead of a spine.