Mexicerberus troglodytes Schultz, 1974

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Suggested Common Name: Nosy Cave Cerberus
Etymology: trōglodytēs = cavedweller [Latin], after this species cavernicolous habitat. Common name refers to the distinct rostrum that occurs on this species, a feature not common in Microcerberidae.
Taxonomic History: Mexicerberus troglodytes Schultz, 1974
Size Range: to 2.5mm
Description: (modified from Schultz, 1974) Body 7x longer than wide, lacking conspicuous ornamentation or large amounts of setae. Head lateral margins folded ventrally, anterolateral corners rounded, visible dorsally under frontal margin. Antenna 1 as long as head; peduncle 1-segmented; flagellum 4-segmented, segments 1-4 subequal in length, segment 4 with 4 apical setae 1 apical aesthetasc. Antenna 2 peduncle segment 1 2x wider than other segments; flagellum 8-segmented, segment 1 longer than others, segment 8 with many apical setae. Pereonite 1 as wide as head, closely pressed against head, tapering posteriorly. Pereopod 1 propus 2x longer than wide, palm with 3 long serrate setae along with 2 more proximal stout setae; carpus inferior margin with 3 large simple setae and few scale-like setae. Pereopods 2-7 dactyl 2-clawed, dorsal claw thinner and longer than ventral claw. Pereonites 2-5 smaller than pereonite 1, subequal in size. Pereonite 6 longer than others. Pereonite 7 about as wide as head. Pleonites 1-2 fused with telson, indicated by single pair of lateral notches, remnants of segmentation visible ventrally. ♂ pleopod 2 protopod elongate; endopod elongate, longer than protopod, tapering to tip, with distomedial row of setae. Telson about as wide as head, shorter than combined pleonites 6-7; lateral margins narrowing anteriorly; tip broad-rounded. Uropod rami extending past telson tip; exopod large, as long as protopod, half as long as endopod, with apical and non-apical setae; endopod with 2 apical setae.
Geographic Range: Only known from the type locality at Cueva de la Mina in the Reserva de la Biósfera El Cielo 7km NW of Gómez Farías (Tamaulipas).  The cave occurs in the Sierra de Guatemala at an altitude of 5006ft (1527m). Appears to live in shallow freshwater cave pools among pebbles. Multiple Synochetans (reported as Trichoniscids but could easily be Styloniscids) were also in the same pool as the type specimen.
Notes: In addition to the features mentioned in the genus account, this species is noticeable for being the only non-intersitial Microcerberidean in our area, occuring among pebbles in a cave pool.

Sources

Schultz, G. A. (1974). Mexicerberus troglodytes n. gen., n. sp. from a cave in Mexico, with notes on isopod crustaceans of the Microcerberidea from the New World. Crustaceana, 26(3):308-312.

Published: Feb 15, 2023