Tethygeneia pacifica (Schellenberg 1938)

Pontogeneia pacifica Schellenberg

Pontogeneia pacifica Schellenberg, 1938, pp. 35–37, fig. 17.—J. L. Barnard, 1955a, p. 5.

This species seems to form part of a triad with the Caribbean P. longleyi Shoemaker (1933a) and the Californian P. “minuta” of J. L. Barnard (1959), with characters of each of those species appearing in P. pacifica. The rostrum and article 2 of pereopod 5 of P. longleyi and the long coxae of P. “minuta” are combined in P. pacifica. The posterior lobe on article 5 of gnathopod 2 in P. pacifica is intermediate in size between the weak lobe of P. longleyi and the strong lobe of P. “minuta.” Mandibular palp article 3 of P. pacifica is much better developed than in the other species.

Uropod 3 is similar in both sexes but the antennae differ considerably. Male antenna 1 is as long as the head and first 7.5 body segments, that of the female only as long as the head and first 6 body segments Male antenna 2 is as long as the head and first 9 body segments, that of the female only as long as the head and first 8 segments. Male antennal peduncles have stairstep notches and both antennae bear calceoli not found in females

Eyes are dark purple in formaldehyde but become pale purple broad cores surrounded by a layer or two of clear ommatidia in alcohol.

MATERIAL.—JLB Hawaii 14 (2), 15 (17), 17 (2), Fee 1 (32).

DISTRIBUTION.—Hawaiian Islands.