Upogebia aestuari A. B. Williams 1993

Upogebia aestuari

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—BELIZE: USNM 251407, 1 ovig. (holotype), E of Commerce Bight pier, ∼8–9 km S of Stann Creek ( = Dangriga), transect of 75–80 m, from 1.5 m depth over brown mud above more compact black mud, grading through fine sand to coarser sand and fine gravel at shore, 30°C, 31 ppt, M.L. Jones, sta CB-41C, 17 May 1977.

DIAGNOSIS.—Projections to either side of rostrum ending in small acute spine. Postocular spine present. Abdominal sternites unarmed. T subrectangular. Carpus of cheliped with 2 strong spines on distomesial margin. Merus of P2 bearing strong proximal mesioventral spine and subdistal dorsal spine; merus of P3 with distodorsal spine and 3 strong ventral spines; merus of P4 spineless.

DESCRIPTION.—Rostrum triangular, lateral margin about as long as basal width, nearly straight but angled slightly downward; tip exceeding eyestalks in normal position by less than width of cornea; dorsal marginal spines inconspicuous, hidden in setae, subapical pair located well short of rostral tip and followed on each side by 3 remote spines, no other dorsal spines present; median tract free of setae. Posteriorly divergent lateral ridge bearing crest of about 10 inconspicuous spines. Shoulder lateral to cervical groove bearing 1 well-developed spine on right side, 2 on left, below intersection with thalassinidean line. Postocular spine present.

Abdominal sternites unarmed.

T subrectangular, transverse proximal ridge confluent with inconspicuous lateral ridge at each side, convex distal margin with slight median indentation.

Eyestalk stout, slightly concave dorsally and convex ventrally in lateral view, almost horizontal in repose; prominent terminal cornea nearly as broad as diameter of stalk at midlength.

A1 peduncle reaching to midlength of terminal article of A2 peduncle, its proximal 2 articles together slightly longer than terminal article.

A2 peduncle with about its length extending beyond tip of rostrum; article 2 bearing strong subdistal ventral spine; scale moderate, oval.

Mxp3 bearing epipod.

Epistomial projection rather narrowly rounded in lateral view, bearing small spine on anterodorsal aspect.

Chelipeds slender. Coxa unarmed. Ventral margin of ischium bearing 1 spine. Merus with row of 4 small spines on ventral margin, 1 near base and 3 remote from it but equidistant from each other, single subdistal dorsal spine reaching level of postocular spine. Carpus trigonal, shallow longitudinal groove laterally, obsolescent spine at anterior ventrolateral corner, mesiodorsal crest of 3 clearly visible spines behind prominent dorsal spine on anterior margin, and 3 short slender spines on anterodorsal margin mesial to articulation with propodus; strong spine near middle of anteromesial margin, slightly smaller spine dorsal to it, and strong slender spine at distoventral corner. Chl about 3.6 times chh; dorsal ridge spineless except for prominent, anteriorly curved acute spine at base, ridge terminating anteriorly near acute subdistal spine mesial to it; mesiodorsal ridge unspined but bearing few rounded bases of obsolescent tubercles in proximal of length; dactylar condyles each with acute spine below, spine strong on lateral side, weak on mesial side; mesial surface with row of setal tufts on upper paralleling mesiodorsal ridge, ventral keel bearing 2 or 3 obsolescent spines on mesial side near midlength, and low transversely arcuate ridge near proximomesial corner. Fixed finger only length of dactyl and more slender, its ventral margin at base continues the straight ventral margin of palm, but tip gently curved toward opposing dactyl, about 5 tiny rounded teeth crowded along proximal prehensile edge. Elongate dactyl longitudinally ridged, slightly curved, and bearing rows of dense setae; slender, acute corneous tip preceded on prehensile edge by long unarmed interval, then 2 low teeth approximating tip of fixed finger with their bases extended along longitudinal axis, distal tooth less than size of proximal tooth, and toothless section basally; curved extensor surface unornamented.

P2 reaching about to distal of palm; carpus with strong acute distodorsal spine, and smaller acute ventral spine; merus with slender subdistal dorsal spine and strong proximal mesioventral spine; coxa unarmed. P3 with merus bearing distodorsal spine and 3 strong spines on ventral margin. Merus of P4 spineless.

U with blunt spine on protopod above base of mesial ramus; lateral ramus with mesial rib bearing obsolete spine proximally.

MEASUREMENTS (in mm).—Holotype , acl 3.8, cl 6.0, chl 2.9, chh 0.8.

KNOWN RANGE.—Known only from the type locality.