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Telestula ridgensis sp. nov. Figs 1–8 Type material: holotype: Specimen, NCPOR /HYD-CIR/0048, Seamount of the Central Indian Ridge, Indian Ocean, R / V ‘ MGS Sagar’ cruise MGS–35 (Station MGS-35A-BD21), 24 April 2020, 23°10′28.92′′ S, 69°32′47.04′′ E, 1917 to 2053 m, Benthic Sledge, Coll. Periasamy R, samples in 90% ethanol. Paratypes: One specimen NCPOR /HYD-CIR/0049 from the same locality as the holotype. Ecological note: The specimen was collected along with two types of carnivorous sponges; three types of deepsea coral, three types of brittle stars, shrimps; and dead gastropod shells from medium-grained basalt rocky bottom with thick Fe-Mn crust. Coloration: The color of colonies ranges from yellowish-brown to dark brown or black; with their ends forming white or cream polyps. Distribution: Telestula ridgensis sp. nov. is known only for its type locality in the seamounts of the Central Indian Ridge system. Etymology: The specific name refers to the type locality of the Indian Ocean Ridge. Gender is feminine. Description Coral colonies are inter-connected with polyps by ribbon - like stolon expanding in irregular patterns on the surface of a dead coral (Fig. 2A), and budding of secondary polyps (Fig. 2C). The polyps arise from a ribbon - like stolon (0.6 mm in width). The holotype is about 19.7 mm tall and 0.2 mm in diameter, with eight polyps attached (Fig. 2D). Fully retracted polyps are up to 12 mm in height and 1.5 mm in width. Sclerites in the polyp (Fig. 3A,B,C) form a thick layer in the calyx wall region, being longitudinally arranged and tightly packed (Fig. 3D). The stolon is ribbon-shaped, with sclerites longitudinally arranged along the thin basal stolon (Fig. 3E). The sclerites in the tentacles and middle of the neck zone are transversely set (Fig. 4A, B,C). Tentacles sclerites are narrow and stellate plates; cross-like forms with slightly tubercular ornamentation; stellate plates (0.19– 0.06 mm long 0.08– 0.02 mm wide); cross-like sclerites (0.058 –0.082 mm long 0.047 –0.064 mm wide); smaller crosses, all of them with tubercular ornamentation (Fig. 5A). Pharyngeal sclerites are small warty plates (0.07–0.13 mm long, 0.010 –0.032 mm wide) (Fig. 5B). Neck zone sclerites are short, blunt rods, crosses with tubercular ornamentation; 0.16– 0.07 mm in length, 0.05– 0.01 mm wide; some crosses (Fig. 6A). I ntrusion sclerites are irregular-shaped, branched rods with tubercular ornamentation (0.14–0.52 mm long, 0.03–0.11 mm wide) (Fig. 6B). Calyx wall sclerites are irregular-shaped; crosses with dense tubercular ornamentation (0.45– 0.15 mm long 0.37– 0.06 mm wide); frequently with cross-like prominences (Fig.7A). Stolon sclerites are smooth to slightly warty plate,crosses; irregular-shaped with slightly tubercular ornamentation (0.40– 0.19 mm long 0.42– 0.02 mm wide); less cross-shaped forms (0.12– 0.25 mm long) (Fig. 7B). Remarks. The sclerome found in Telestula ridgensis sp. nov. is unique among the north-eastern Atlantic congeners having longitudinal rows of small warty rods and cross-like forms that extend from the distal end of the calyx towards the base of the tentacles. The sclerites of the new species from the neck zone, intrusion tissue, calyx wall, and ribbon-like stolon are notably different among the genus Telestula with an evident abundance of warty, irregular, and cylinder-like forms of small flattened ovals. Telestula ridgensis sp. nov. is morphologically closely related to Telestula septentrionalis, T. cf. batoni , and T. cf. spiculicula . According to Tixier-Durivault (1964) species, T. tubaria has eight chevrons of small sclerites in the neck region and eight longitudinal ridges of sclerites in a calyx wall. However, T. versluysi has densely tuberculate rounded spindles from the calyx wall and irregular spindles from the stolon (Weinberg 1990). T. mosaica has some arrowhead-like sclerites. The sclerites of T. kuekenthali have loose polyps, plump, coarsely tuberculate spindles from the calyx wall, irregular spindles, and cross-shaped sclerites from the top of the polyp (Weinberg 1990 ). Telestula stocki has plates on top of tentacles, sparse long spindles, warty spindles with complex tubercles, rods from stolon, and plump (Weinberg 1990)., Published as part of Periasamy, Rengaiyan, Kurian, Palayil John & Ingole, Baban, 2023, A new deep-water coral species Telestula ridgensis sp. nov (Scleralcyonacea: Sarcodictyonidae) from the seamount of theCentral Indian Ridge, pp. 231-244 in Zootaxa 5254 (2) on pages 233-238, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5254.2.4, http://zenodo.org/record/7727292, {"references":["Tixier-Durivault, A. (1964) Stolonifera and Alcyonacea. Galathea Report, 7, 43 - 58.","Weinberg, S. (1990) A redescription of the specimens of ' Telesto humilis ' (Octocorallia) collected by Prince Albert Ier of Monaco, with the descriptions of four new species. Beaufortia, 41, 205 - 218."]}

Genus Telestula Hickson, 1930 Polyp sclerites small, thin, blunt rods with tubercular ornamentation, arranged in longitudinal rows but not as collaret and points. Sclerites of calyces and stolons are stellate plates, crosses, 6-radiates, irregularly-shaped, branched forms with dense tubercular ornamentation (McFadden et al. 2022)., Published as part of Periasamy, Rengaiyan, Kurian, Palayil John & Ingole, Baban, 2023, A new deep-water coral species Telestula ridgensis sp. nov (Scleralcyonacea: Sarcodictyonidae) from the seamount of theCentral Indian Ridge, pp. 231-244 in Zootaxa 5254 (2) on page 233, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5254.2.4, http://zenodo.org/record/7727292, {"references":["Hickson, S. J. (1930) On the classification of the Alcyonaria. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1930, 229 - 252. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1096 - 3642.1930. tb 00975. x"]}

Periasamy, Rengaiyan, Kurian, Palayil John, Ingole, Baban (2023): A new deep-water coral species Telestula ridgensis sp. nov (Scleralcyonacea: Sarcodictyonidae)from the seamount of theCentral Indian Ridge. Zootaxa 5254 (2): 231-244, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5254.2.4, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5254.2.4

Periasamy, Rengaiyan, Kurian, Palayil John, Ingole, Baban (2023): Two new deep-water species of squat lobsters (Crustacea:Anomura: Galatheoidea) from the Central and Southwest Indian Ridge. Zootaxa 5231 (2): 165-178, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5231.2.3, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5231.2.3

Typhlonida milindi sp. nov. Figs 5–7 Material examined: Female holotype: NCPOR /HYD-CIR/0048, ♀ (CL 8.6 mm, PCL 3.2 mm), Seamount of the Southwest Indian Ridge, Indian Ocean, R / V ‘ MGS Sagar’ cruise MGS35 (Station No: MGS35C–BD5A), 02 April 2020, 26° 21′ 10.8′′ S, 67° 41′ 27.6′′ E, 2070 to 2404 m, Benthic Sledge, Coll. Periasamy R, samples in 90% ethanol. Ecological note: The specimen was collected along with associated benthic communities of deep-sea fish, glass sponge, and coral in the ferromanganese (Fe–Mn) covered basalt rocky with a thickness of 2–4 cm. Distribution: Typhlonida milindi sp. nov. is known for its type locality in the seamount of the SWIR. Etymology: It is named in honor of our senior scientific colleague — Late Dr. Milind Wakadikar, who contributed diligently to accomplish the objectives of the Indian deep-sea mission, especially the deepsea hydrothermal exploration program. Description: Moderately small species, carapace as long as the width. Dorsal surface with main transverse ridges, without secondary transverse striae between main ridges, and striae lined with short; non-iridescent setae. Epigastric region with 2 pairs of spines, without a median row of spines behind the rostrum. Cervical groove deep; a hepatic region without spines on the dorsal surface. The anterior part of the branchial region between the cervical groove and post-cervical groove with 2 or 3 short tuberculate ridges and often 1 small spine anteriorly, posterior part of the branchial region with 5 transverse ridges excluding posterodorsal ridge. The cardiac region with 2 main transverse ridges. An intestinal region without striae; posterodorsal ridge distinct; without secondary stria. Front margin oblique; inclined posteriorly at 115° from the midline. Lateral margin slightly convex; anterolateral spine very small; far from reaching sinus between rostrum and supraocular spine; 5 spines branchial lateral or margin (Figure 6A). Rostrum spiniform; 0.6× PCL; supraocular spine 0.26× length of the rostrum; exceeding eyes. Epistomial ridge straight ending at antennal gland, mesial protuberance different (Figure 6A). Abdominal tergites unarmed; one transverse continuous stria on the second abdominal segment; without striae from the third to fifth segments. Thoracic sternum sternal surface smooth; sternite 4 with only a few striae. Sternite 3 0.3× width of sternite 4. Sternite 4 anterior margin triangular; narrowly contiguous with sternite 3. Mid-length of the sternal plastron (sternites 4–7) 0.5× width of sternite 7 (Figure 6E). Eye very small eyes; maximum corneal diameter 0.18× distance between anterolateral spines (Figure 6A). Antenna peduncle article 1 distomesial spine almost reaching the distal margin of article 2. Article 2 distomesial spine reaching distal margin of article 3; distolateral spine not reaching midlength of article 3. Articles 3 and 4 unarmed (Figure 6B). Antennule peduncle basal article (distal spines excluded) overreaching corneae; distolateral spine much longer than distomesial spine; 2 lateral spines, proximal smaller; longer lateral spine not reaching the end of distolateral spines (Figure 6C). Third maxilliped surface smooth; ischium with a small distal spine on extensor margin; ischium as long as merus length. Merus with small median spine; carpus; propodus and dactylus unarmed (Figure 6D). Telson with few striae; greatest width 1.2× median length; anterolateral margin weakly concave (Figure 6F). P1 length 2.4–3.2× PCL; covered in rows of short plumose setae. Merus length 0.9–1.1× PCL; with a row of 2 large spines and 2 small spines on dorsal margin; 1 strong spine on dorsolateral margin; 4 spines on mesial margin; distomesial spine not reaching midlength of the carpus. Carpus length 0.5× merus; length 3× width, with 6 spines along the mesial margin. Propodus 1.3× merus length; palm with a row of 3 or 4 spines on the dorsal surface of the palm; fingers 0.4–0.5× total propodus length; without spines on outer margins (Figure 7). P2–4 long and slender; with few small scales on lateral sides of meri and carpi; extensor margin with short plumose setae and few longer setae. P2 1.8–2.3× PCL; merus 0.7–0.8×PCL; length 8× width; 3.0× carpus length; 1.5× propodus length; extensor margin with 5–7 spines; flexor margin with 3 spines; well-developed distal spine; carpus extensor margin with the spine at midlength and a distal end; flexor margin with distal spine; propodus length about 8×height; with 5 movable flexor spines on flexor margin; dactylus gently curved distally; 0.6–0.7× propodus length, length about 7× height, extensor margin densely lined with stiff short setae on distal half; flexor margin armed along the entire length with 10–12 movable spines including spine at the base of unguis (Figure 7F). The end of P2 carpus does not reach the end of P1 merus. P3 with similar spination and article proportions as P2; merus 0.9× P2 merus length; propodus; and dactylus as long as those of P2. P4 length 0.7–0.8× P2 length, merus length 0.3–0.5× PCL; propodus and dactylus similar in length to those of P3; merocarpal articulation reaching hepatic marginal spine carapace (Figure 7). Colour in life: carapace pink anteriorly fading to white at posterior; abdominal somite 2 white; somites 3–6 pink, P1 and P2–4 white. Genetic data: DNA sequencing for this species was successful for mtCOI gene (Accession numbers: COI: OP311615). The average K2P distance between the morphologically closest Typhlonida tiresias (AY351014) and the SWIR specimen was 0.04% for COI. Remarks: The SWIR new species is the closest relative of Typhlonida tiresias (Macpherson, 1994) and T. parvioculata (Baba, 1982). The new species from SWIR can be differentiated from Typhlonida tiresias by gastric region with a row of epigastric spines, extensor border of merus of the third maxilliped, and the shape of the sternite 3. While T. parvioculata has a second abdominal segment with 2 to 4 spines anteriorly, a third maxilliped merus elongates with 2 prominent inner marginal spines of subequal size: one distal and another proximal to midlength and not in Typhlonida milindi sp. nov., Published as part of Periasamy, Rengaiyan, Kurian, Palayil John & Ingole, Baban, 2023, Two new deep-water species of squat lobsters (Crustacea: Anomura: Galatheoidea) from the Central and Southwest Indian Ridge, pp. 165-178 in Zootaxa 5231 (2) on pages 171-175, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5231.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7575272, {"references":["Macpherson, E. (1994) Crustacea Decapoda: studies on the genus Munida Leach, 1820 (Galatheidae) in New Caledonia and adjacent waters with descriptions of 56 new species. In: Crosnier A, (Ed). Resultats des Campagnes MUSORSTOM. Vol. 12. Memoires du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 161, 421 - 569.","Baba, K. (1982) Deep-sea galatheidean Crustacea (Decapoda, Anomura) taken by the R / V Soyo-Maru in Japanese waters. II Family Galatheidae. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Tokyo, Series A, 8, 103 - 120."]}

Munidopsis parvatee sp. nov. Fig 2–4 Material examined: female holotype: NCPOR /HYD–CIR/0048, ♀ (CL 14.2 mm, PCL 10.4 mm) Central Indian Ridge, Indian Ocean, R / V ‘ MGS Sagar’ cruise MGS35 (Station no: MGS35B– BD25), 27 April 2020, 24° 42′ 47.88′′ S, 70° 1′ 54.12′′ E, 1981 to 2033 m, Benthic Sledge, Coll. Periasamy R, samples in 90% ethanol. Paratypes: One specimen NCPOR /HYD–CIR/0049 from the same locality as the holotype. Ecological note: The specimen was collected along with three types of deep-sea corals, two types of brittle stars, shrimps, dead Gastropod shells, and Isopods from a basalt rocky bottom. Coloration: The yellow-orange base colour of the body. Distribution: Seamount is located near the Edmond vent field, Central Indian Ridge (CIR), in a depth range of 1981–2033 meters. Etymology: The species name “ parvatee ” is a Hindi word given based on its habitat i.e., seamount. parvatee means belong to the mountain. Description: The carapace (without rostrum) is approximately 1.34 times as long as broad. Frontal margins are tilted. Lateral margins are feebly convex, each with three to six prominent spines; small anterolateral spine; one or two spines on the anterior branchial margin; one to three spines on the posterior branchial margin (spine on the lateral base of posterior cervical groove strongest; posterior one or two spines usually reduced); scale-like tubercles and short ridges present among spines; especially on posterior branchial margin. Posterior margin ridged, and tubercles laterally. Dorsal surface with regions clearly defined; covered with numerous tubercles; tubercles fairly scale-like on posterior branchial region; conical on anterior branchial; cardiac and gastric regions. Six pairs of strong spines are present along the dorsal midline: three pairs of spines in the gastric region; two pairs of spines in the cardiac region (each in the anterior and posterior cardiac region); and one pair of very small spines on the intestinal region (Figure 2A). The gastric region is somewhat eminent. The cervical groove is different (Figures 2 & 3). Rostrum distinctly elongate; flat; and dagger-shaped; 0.5 times as long as the remaining carapace length; 4 times longer than broad; narrow; horizontal; dorsal surface covered with rugae (fine serrations); weakly depressed proximally (Figures 3A). Eyestalk movable. Cornea oval; globular; cupped in the anterolateral end of the ocular peduncle. Ocular peduncle without eye spine; reaching proximal 0.2 of the rostrum (Figures 3A). The pterygostomial flaps with broad tubercles on the lateral surface; anterior end blunt (Figure 3B). Abdominal tergites unarmed; tergites 2 and 3 each with two transverse ridges medially connected and laterally separated by deep grooves; lateral part of dorsal surfaces smooth (Figures 3H). Sternal plastron longer than broad (Figure 3D). Sternite 3 is 1.5 times broader than long; divided into two parts by a median groove; anterior margin serrated; with acute anterolateral spines. Sternite 4 three times broader than long; anterolateral surface depressed and sloping anteriorly. Sternites 5–7 medially grooved; separated from one another with elevated; transverse ridges (Figure 3D). Antennal peduncle stout; reaching at least proximal half of rostrum. Article 1 immovable; with a short distomesial spine. Article 2; article 3; and article 4 unarmed (Figure 3A). Antennular peduncle with basal article longer than broad; distal margin armed with strong ventrolateral and dorsolateral (rarely with affiliated spine) spines; lateral face inflated; ventral surface with short rugae (Figure 3C). Third maxilliped stout; ischium slightly longer than broad; approximately 0.5 times merus length; distoflexor corner acute; crista dentata well developed. Merus longer than broad; extensor margin rugose; flexor margin with small median spines and strong proximal process (divided into two spines); ventral surface with rugae. Carpus short; unarmed. Propodus with distoflexor margin convex (Figure 3F&G). Telson is composed of eight separate plates; covered with scale-like tubercles (Figure 3G). P1 subequal; distinctly elongate; 5 times PCL; each segment covered with numerous scale-like tubercles longitudinally arranged on surfaces and margins and bearing fine setae. Ischium with strong dorsodistal spine; ventrodistal margin anteriorly produced. Merus approximately 1.8 times PCL; distal margin with strong dorsal; mesial; ventral; and lateral spines; dorsodistal spine followed by a row of spines; distomesial spine strongest; followed by two or three slender spines; ventrodistal spine followed by two or three spines (usually on proximal half) along the midline of the ventral surface. Carpus approximately 0.6 times merus length; distal margin with strong dorsal; mesial and lateral spines; dorsodistal spine followed by spines and pointed tubercles; distomesial spine occasionally followed by few spines. Palm is relatively compressed; approximately 0.6 times merus length; 5 times as long as broad; mesial margin with a row of small spines or pointed tubercles. Fingers 0.5 times palm length; slightly spooned distally; occlusal margins straight and denticulate; bearing fringe of simple setae; with several triangular teeth on a movable finger (Figure 4A–D). P2 –4 slender, sparsely setose; P2 approximately 2.2 times PCL; falling short of distal margin of P1 merus; lateral surfaces of Ischia; meri; carpi; propodi covered with scale-like tubercles. Meri compressed; subequal in breadth but decreasing in length posteriorly; P2 merus approximately 0.8 times of PCL and 5 times as long as broad; P3 merus 1-time P2 merus length; P4 merus 0.7 times P2 merus length; extensor margin tuberculate; armed with a strong distal spine; flexor margin tuberculate; without a distinct spine. Carpi subequal in length; approximately 0.5 times P2 merus length; extensor surface with two longitudinal ridges each covered with scale-like tubercles and armed with a distinct distal spine; spine on mesial ridge much more prominent; flexor margin unarmed. Propodi subcylindrical; subequal in length and breadth; approximately 1-time P2 merus length and 6.5 times as long as broad; extensor margin with scale-like tubercles; flexor margin with four or five movable corneous spines on distal half; including distal pair. Dactyli slender; narrowing distally; approximately 0.5 times propodus length; flexor margin straight; with 12 or 13 movable corneous spines (spines on median part much larger) on the entire length; and distal spine closely appressed to claw; each corneous spine located on elevated base (Figure 4E). Pereopods without epipod. Egg diameter 2 mm (Figure 2D). Remarks: The new species from CIR is the closest to Munidopsis guochuani Dong, Gan & Li, 2021 known from the seamount on the Caroline Plate, West Pacific Ocean. The new species from CIR can be differentiated from M. guochuani by carapace posterior margin ridged, with a row of spines on median part and tubercles laterally (Dong et al. 2021, Figure 21A), without a row of spines on median part (Figure 3A), the shape of the sternite 3 and 4 in the sternal plastron, and seven distinct plates in telson. Genetic data. DNA sequencing for this species was successful for mtCOI gene (Accession numbers: COI: OP311614). The average K2P distance between the closely related M. guochuani (MT901058) and the CIR specimen was 0.07% for COI., Published as part of Periasamy, Rengaiyan, Kurian, Palayil John & Ingole, Baban, 2023, Two new deep-water species of squat lobsters (Crustacea: Anomura: Galatheoidea) from the Central and Southwest Indian Ridge, pp. 165-178 in Zootaxa 5231 (2) on pages 167-170, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5231.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7575272, {"references":["Dong, D., Gan, Z. & Li, X. (2021) Descriptions of eleven new species of squat lobsters (Crustacea: Anomura) from seamounts around the Yap and Mariana Trenches with notes on DNA barcodes and phylogeny. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 192 (2), 306 - 355. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / zoolinnean / zlab 003"]}

Typhlonida milindi sp. nov. Figs 5–7 Material examined: Female holotype: NCPOR /HYD-CIR/0048, ♀ (CL 8.6 mm, PCL 3.2 mm), Seamount of the Southwest Indian Ridge, Indian Ocean, R / V ‘ MGS Sagar’ cruise MGS35 (Station No: MGS35C–BD5A), 02 April 2020, 26° 21′ 10.8′′ S, 67° 41′ 27.6′′ E, 2070 to 2404 m, Benthic Sledge, Coll. Periasamy R, samples in 90% ethanol. Ecological note: The specimen was collected along with associated benthic communities of deep-sea fish, glass sponge, and coral in the ferromanganese (Fe–Mn) covered basalt rocky with a thickness of 2–4 cm. Distribution: Typhlonida milindi sp. nov. is known for its type locality in the seamount of the SWIR. Etymology: It is named in honor of our senior scientific colleague — Late Dr. Milind Wakadikar, who contributed diligently to accomplish the objectives of the Indian deep-sea mission, especially the deepsea hydrothermal exploration program. Description: Moderately small species, carapace as long as the width. Dorsal surface with main transverse ridges, without secondary transverse striae between main ridges, and striae lined with short; non-iridescent setae. Epigastric region with 2 pairs of spines, without a median row of spines behind the rostrum. Cervical groove deep; a hepatic region without spines on the dorsal surface. The anterior part of the branchial region between the cervical groove and post-cervical groove with 2 or 3 short tuberculate ridges and often 1 small spine anteriorly, posterior part of the branchial region with 5 transverse ridges excluding posterodorsal ridge. The cardiac region with 2 main transverse ridges. An intestinal region without striae; posterodorsal ridge distinct; without secondary stria. Front margin oblique; inclined posteriorly at 115° from the midline. Lateral margin slightly convex; anterolateral spine very small; far from reaching sinus between rostrum and supraocular spine; 5 spines branchial lateral or margin (Figure 6A). Rostrum spiniform; 0.6× PCL; supraocular spine 0.26× length of the rostrum; exceeding eyes. Epistomial ridge straight ending at antennal gland, mesial protuberance different (Figure 6A). Abdominal tergites unarmed; one transverse continuous stria on the second abdominal segment; without striae from the third to fifth segments. Thoracic sternum sternal surface smooth; sternite 4 with only a few striae. Sternite 3 0.3× width of sternite 4. Sternite 4 anterior margin triangular; narrowly contiguous with sternite 3. Mid-length of the sternal plastron (sternites 4–7) 0.5× width of sternite 7 (Figure 6E). Eye very small eyes; maximum corneal diameter 0.18× distance between anterolateral spines (Figure 6A). Antenna peduncle article 1 distomesial spine almost reaching the distal margin of article 2. Article 2 distomesial spine reaching distal margin of article 3; distolateral spine not reaching midlength of article 3. Articles 3 and 4 unarmed (Figure 6B). Antennule peduncle basal article (distal spines excluded) overreaching corneae; distolateral spine much longer than distomesial spine; 2 lateral spines, proximal smaller; longer lateral spine not reaching the end of distolateral spines (Figure 6C). Third maxilliped surface smooth; ischium with a small distal spine on extensor margin; ischium as long as merus length. Merus with small median spine; carpus; propodus and dactylus unarmed (Figure 6D). Telson with few striae; greatest width 1.2× median length; anterolateral margin weakly concave (Figure 6F). P1 length 2.4–3.2× PCL; covered in rows of short plumose setae. Merus length 0.9–1.1× PCL; with a row of 2 large spines and 2 small spines on dorsal margin; 1 strong spine on dorsolateral margin; 4 spines on mesial margin; distomesial spine not reaching midlength of the carpus. Carpus length 0.5× merus; length 3× width, with 6 spines along the mesial margin. Propodus 1.3× merus length; palm with a row of 3 or 4 spines on the dorsal surface of the palm; fingers 0.4–0.5× total propodus length; without spines on outer margins (Figure 7). P2–4 long and slender; with few small scales on lateral sides of meri and carpi; extensor margin with short plumose setae and few longer setae. P2 1.8–2.3× PCL; merus 0.7–0.8×PCL; length 8× width; 3.0× carpus length; 1.5× propodus length; extensor margin with 5–7 spines; flexor margin with 3 spines; well-developed distal spine; carpus extensor margin with the spine at midlength and a distal end; flexor margin with distal spine; propodus length about 8×height; with 5 movable flexor spines on flexor margin; dactylus gently curved distally; 0.6–0.7× propodus length, length about 7× height, extensor margin densely lined with stiff short setae on distal half; flexor margin armed along the entire length with 10–12 movable spines including spine at the base of unguis (Figure 7F). The end of P2 carpus does not reach the end of P1 merus. P3 with similar spination and article proportions as P2; merus 0.9× P2 merus length; propodus; and dactylus as long as those of P2. P4 length 0.7–0.8× P2 length, merus length 0.3–0.5× PCL; propodus and dactylus similar in length to those of P3; merocarpal articulation reaching hepatic marginal spine carapace (Figure 7). Colour in life: carapace pink anteriorly fading to white at posterior; abdominal somite 2 white; somites 3–6 pink, P1 and P2–4 white. Genetic data: DNA sequencing for this species was successful for mtCOI gene (Accession numbers: COI: OP311615). The average K2P distance between the morphologically closest Typhlonida tiresias (AY351014) and the SWIR specimen was 0.04% for COI. Remarks: The SWIR new species is the closest relative of Typhlonida tiresias (Macpherson, 1994) and T. parvioculata (Baba, 1982). The new species from SWIR can be differentiated from Typhlonida tiresias by gastric region with a row of epigastric spines, extensor border of merus of the third maxilliped, and the shape of the sternite 3. While T. parvioculata has a second abdominal segment with 2 to 4 spines anteriorly, a third maxilliped merus elongates with 2 prominent inner marginal spines of subequal size: one distal and another proximal to midlength and not in Typhlonida milindi sp. nov.

Spongicoloides weijiaensis Xu, Zhou & Wang, 2017 (Fig. 1–6) Spongicoloides weijiaensis — Xu, Zhou & Wang 2017: 11, Figs. 2–5.— Kou et al. 2018: 100.— Bochini et al. 2020: 712. — Schnabel et al. 2021: 32. Spongicoloides novaezelandiae — Goy 2015: 310, Figs. 9 –11 (in part). Material examined: 1 female, 35.1 mm TL, NCPOR /HYD-IO/0018, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, Indian Ocean, R / V ‘MGS Sagar’ cruise MGS–26 (station: MGS 26C BD–15), 12 May 2019, 26° 28′ 10″ S, 67° 26′ 21″ E, 2358 m, benthic sledge, Coll. Baban Ingole, samples in 90% ethanol. Measurements (mm): Female, PCL: 12.2, RCL: 15.4, TL: 35.1. Description: Rostrum nearly horizontal, slightly overreaching basal article of antennular peduncle; rostral base triangular in dorsal view, armed with 9 dorsal, 2 ventral spines. Carapace with distinct cervical groove, anterolateral margin with scattered small spines; branchiostegal and pterygostomial regions smooth, and several spinules situated posterior to them, postorbital region armed with one short longitudinal row of spinules, groups of similar spinules also present on a posterior portion of cervical groove and rostrum. Antennal spine blunt. Eye s well developed, moderate in size; cornea globular, dark pigmented, broader than eyestalk, eyestalk armed with minute spines. Color in life: Body whitish, translucent; some intrathoracic organs visible. Antennular peduncle reaches mid-length of antennal scale, the first article distinctly longer than both distal articles combined, with a blunt spine distolaterally, stylocerite small, subacutely pointed, second article longer than the distal article, bearing a single distal spinule on inner margin, distal article unarmed. Antenna has stout basicerite, bearing four (right) or three (left) large spines at a distolateral angle, an additional four (right) or three (left) small spines on the ventrodistal margin, and two (right) or three (left) small spines on ventral surface proximally. Carpocerite overreaching first article of antennular peduncle. Antennal scale broad; twice as long as rostrum, 2.7 times as long as wide; lateral margin slightly concave, not setiferous, with ten (right) or twelve (left) spines; distolateral bifid spine slightly falling short of or just reaching rounded distal margin of lamella; inner margin convex; both inner and distal margins with long plumose setae; dorsal surface with single longitudinal carina. Basal article of antennal peduncle armed with three (right) or two (left) terminal spines laterally. Mandible strong, with well-developed 3-jointed palp; distal article densely setose on the margin, oval, subequal in length to intermediate article; molar and incisor processes separate. Molar surface smooth, tooth absent, incisor bearing with 2 strong stout distal teeth followed by 8 small sharp teeth on the mesial margin. Maxillule has simple palp bearing a pair of terminal setae; distal endite broad, its mesial margin straight or truncates with simple setae and 10 stout spines; proximal endite suboval, narrowing or tapering distally. Maxilla has palp stout distally, tapering, bearing simple setae; distal and proximal endites bilobed; scaphognathite well developed with plumose setae. The branchial formula is summarized in Table 1. First maxilliped has bi-jointed palp; distal article with one prominent spine; proximal article broad, 1.5 times of distal article in length; distal endite large, rounded anteriorly, proximal endite bilobed; exopod well developed; epipod large, subequally bilobed. Second maxilliped having endopod composed of seven articles; dactylus triangular, ~ 1.5 times as long as broad; propodus is subquadrate ~ 2 times of dactylus in length; carpus short, distally widening 0.5 times as long as propodus; long merus, 3 times as long as carpus; ischium not fused with basis with 0.2 times as long as merus; epipod oval, with rudimentary podobranch; exopod absent. Third maxilliped with 7-jointed endopod, slender, slightly overreaching mid-length of antennal scale in full extension; dactylus tapering distally; propodus 1.8 times as long as dactylus; carpus 1.1 times of propodal length; merus 1.7 times of carpal length; ischium subequal to merus; basis shortest, approximately 0.2 times length of ischium; coxa with tiny epipod; exopod absent. First pereiopod is reaching distal margin of antennal scale; dactylus half as long as palm; subcylindrical palm, with some grooming setae; carpus longest, nearly 2.4 times as long as palm, distal part of flexor margin of carpus with a tuft of grooming setae, merus 0.7 times as long as carpus; ischium 0.5 times as long as merus; coxa and basis short, unarmed. Second pereiopod is similar in shape to the first pereiopod, longer, overreaching distal margin of antennal scale by the length of chela; dactylus 0.4 times as long as palm; carpus 1.9 times as long as palm; merus 0.8 times as long as carpus; ischium 0.4 times as long as merus; coxa and basis short, unarmed. Third pereiopod is the strongest and longest, overreaching distal margin of the antennal scale by the length of the chela; fingers terminating each in strongly curved, corneous claw, tips crossing, fixed finger with deep longitudinal concavity proximally, bearing single rounded tooth at nearly mid-length of cutting edge and with a short row of small teeth on the proximal cutting edge, distoventral margin without a row of teeth; dactylus 0.6 times of palm length, protruded at proximal 0.4 of length, with concavity on distal half portion; palm almost equal to merus in length, subcylindrical; propodus with some minute teeth present on distal half of flexor margin; carpus widening distally, nearly half as long as palm; merus of right third pereiopod unarmed, merus of left third pereiopod bearing minute tooth at approximately distal 0.2 of its length on flexor margin; ischium 0.9 times as long as carpus, flexor margin entirely smooth, distolateral margin also with similar teeth; basis and coxa short, unarmed. Fourth pereiopod is overreaching distal margin of antennal scale by the length of dactylus and propodus, dactylus short, compressed laterally, biunguiculate, ventral unguis shorter than dorsal unguis, both demarcated, with some much smaller accessory teeth arising from bases of both ventral and dorsal ungues; propodus approximately 0.4 times length of carpus, armed with a single row of 11 or 12 movable spines on flexor margin; carpus longest; merus 0.8 times length of the carpus, ischium half-length of merus, unarmed; coxa and basis short and stout. Fifth pereiopod is overreaching distal margin of antennal scale by dactylus and half-length of propodus. Sixth thoracic sternite with paired triangular plates, the ventral surface curved in. Seventh and eighth sternites with bilobed prominences. Pleomeres glabrous. First somite short, uniramous, divided into two sections by distinct transverse carina, posterior section of pleuron rounded. Second to fourth pleura each bearing one articular knob; first to the third pleura broadly rounded ventrally, unarmed, and setose on ventral margin; fourth to sixth pleura each with several small posteroventral teeth. First pleopod uniramous. Second to fifth pleopods biramous. Uropod with stout protopod, lateral margin terminating in two spines. Endopod and exopod each with a single weak dorsal carina. The lateral margin of the exopod is slightly convex with a row of 15 (left) or 16 (right) acute teeth, excluding a broad trilobed tooth on the distolateral angle. Endopod ovate, falling short of posterior margin of telson. Telson quadrangular, almost twice as long as broad, slightly constricted near the base, with two dorsolateral carinae prominent, lateral margin armed bearing 10 (right) or 12 (left) posteriorly directed spines; constricted part of each lateral margin with a single proximal submarginal spine, lateral marginal spines distinct. Setiferous posterior margin broadly rounded, with 13 spines. Molecular data: A COI gene sequence of S. weijiaensis from the SWIOR has been deposited in Genbank (NCBI accession number MT806161). The pairwise genetic distances within species of Spongicoloides weijiaensis ranged from 0.02 to 0.03. Distribution: The distribution of S. weijiaensis now extends from the North West Pacific, Madagascar, Indian Ocean (off Northern Australia), New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tasmania (349–2380 m) to the seamount in the Mid Ocean Ridge sector of the Southwest Indian Ocean (2358 m). Remarks: Throughout the species’ range, S. weijiensis has been found at depths of 349 to 2380 m; with 2380 m being the deepest record for any stenopodidean. Specimens from New Caledonia and Madagascar were identified as S. novaezelandiae but were shown to belong to S. weijiaensis (Schnabel et al. 2021). The Spongicoloides weijiaensis of Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge is morphologically similar to S. weijiaensis Xu, Zhou & Wang, 2017 and S. corbitellus Kou, Li & Gong, 2018. Both specimens match the type description in nearly all aspects. Slight variation in the pigmented eyes, distal and proximal endites both bilobed compared to the original description is an additional large postorbital carapace spine, the first pleonite being more distinctly ridged (Figure 4A). A recent paper on New Zealand stenopodideans covers the differences between S. novaezelandiae and other species of Spongicoloides (Schnabel et al. 2021). Both our SWIR specimen and S. weijiaensis were found in the Euplectella sponge, S. corbitellus was collected from another euplectellid sponge of the genus Corbitellus (Kou et al. 2018). Even though our specimen of Spongicoloides weijiaensis from SWIR is similar to S. iheyaensis Saito, Tsuchida & Yamamoto, 2006, S. corbitellus, S. zhoui Zhao, Xu, Yang & Qiu, 2021 all from the Western Pacific Ocean, is distinguished by the differences in spination of carapace, sixth pleonal somite, and third pereiopod (Figures 2 & 4)., Published as part of Rengaiyan, Periasamy, Palayil, John Kurian & Ingole, Baban, 2022, A new report on the deep-sea sponge-associated Spongicoloides weijiaensis Xu Zhou & Wang, 2017 (Decapoda: Spongicolidae) from the Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, pp. 267-277 in Zootaxa 5195 (3) on pages 269-272, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7187865, {"references":["Xu, P., Zhou, Y. & Wang, C. (2017) A new species of deep-sea sponge-associated shrimp from the North-West Pacific (Decapoda, Stenopodidea, Spongicolidae). Zookeys, 685, 1 - 14. https: // doi. org / 10.3897 / zookeys. 685.11341","Kou, Q., Gong, L. & Li, X. (2018) A new species of the deep-sea spongicolid genus Spongicoloides (Crustacea, Decapoda, Stenopodidea) and a new species of the glass sponge genus Corbitella (Hexactinellida, Lyssacinosida, Euplectellidae) from a seamount near the Mariana Trench, with a novel commensal relationship between the two genera. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 135, 88 - 107. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. dsr. 2018.03.006","Bochini, G. L., Cunha, A. M., Terossi, M. & Almeida, A. O. (2020) A new genus and species from Brazil of the resurrected family Macromaxillocarididae Alvarez, Iliffe & Villalobos, 2006 and a worldwide list of Stenopodidea (Decapoda). Journal of Crustacean Biology, 40, 704 - 714. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / jcbiol / ruaa 064.","Schnabel, K. E., Kou, Q. & Xu, P. (2021) Integrative Taxonomy of New Zealand Stenopodidea (Crustacea: Decapoda) with New Species and Records for the Region. Diversity, 13, 343. https: // doi. org / 10.3390 / d 13080343","Goy, J. W. (2015) Stenopodidean shrimps (Crustacea: Decapoda) from New Caledonian waters. Zootaxa, 4044 (3), 301 - 344. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4044.3.1","Saito, T, Tsuchida, S. & Yamamoto, T. (2006) Spongicoloides iheyaensis, a new species of deep-sea sponge-associated shrimp from the Iheya Ridge, Ryukyu Islands, southern Japan (Decapoda: Stenopodidea: Spongicolidae). Journal of Crustacean Biology, 26, 224 - 233. https: // doi. org / 10.1651 / C- 2650.1","Zhao, Y. U., Xu, T., Yang, W. & Qiu, J. W. (2021) A new species of the deep-sea shrimp genus Spongicoloides (Decapoda: Spongicolidae) from the South China Sea. Zootaxa, 5005 (3), 276 - 290. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 5005.3.3"]}

Rengaiyan, Periasamy, Palayil, John Kurian, Ingole, Baban (2022): A new report on the deep-sea sponge-associated Spongicoloides weijiaensis Xu Zhou & Wang, 2017 (Decapoda: Spongicolidae) from the Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge. Zootaxa 5195 (3): 267-277, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5195.3.5

Subgenus Asbestopluma Topsent, 1901 Diagnosis: Asbestopluma without spear-shaped microtylostyles (from Lopes et al. 2011)., Published as part of Rengaiyan, Periasamy & Ingole, Baban, 2022, Three New Carnivorous sponge species (Demospongiae: Cladorhizidae) from the Seamounts of the Central Indian Ridge, pp. 451-486 in Zootaxa 5162 (5) on page 454, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5162.5.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6816801, {"references":["Topsent, E. (1901) Notice preliminaire sur les eponges recueillies par l'Expedition Antarctique Belge. Archives de Zoologie Experimentaleet Generale, Series 3, 9 (Notes et Revue), V - XVI"]}

Asbestopluma (A.) bharatiyae sp. nov. Figures 4–5, Table 2 Material examined. Holotype. NCPOR /HYD-IOCIR/0034, seamount of the Central Indian Ridge, Indian Ocean, 23° 9’ 47.88’’ S, 69° 31’ 51.96’’ E, 1917 m, MGS Sagar, cruise no: MGS 35A, MGS-35A, 05 April 2020, Benthic Sledge, Coll. Periasamy R, samples in 70% ethanol, sample MGS_35A_BD21(D). Paratype. NCPOR /HYD-IOCIR/0035 same collection details as for holotype. Etymology. The species name “ bharatiyae ” refers to the Bharat Dynasty. In the ancient era, Emperor Bharat (India) gave his name to the dynasty, referred to as Mahabharat or Akhand Bharat. Gender is feminine. Distribution. Asbestopluma (A.) bharatiyae sp. nov. is known only from its type locality in the seamounts of the Central Indian Ridge system. Diagnosis: The holotype is a live sponge attached to dead coral, having a dichotomously branched main stem 0.4–0.8 mm wide. The holotype is 60.5 mm long, and the axis is 0.6 mm wide. The main axis surface tissue is somewhat uneven and covered with a mass of short fine fibers (Figure 4A). Description. Shape and size: The holotype has a dichotomously branching stem of 14 mm in length and 0.8 mm in width at the base area and 0.4 mm wide in the upper area. Tightly set filaments on both sides of its bifurcating habit. The paratype consists of three smaller fragments 5–8 mm in length with similar morphology to the holotype. White colour when preserved (Figure 4A). Skeleton: The axis of the main stem is composed of longitudinally tightly bound arranged mycalostyles (Figure 4B). A layer of confusedly aligned axes of subtylostyles forms the outer cortex with an uneven surface of the main stem and contains abundant large anisochelae and sigmas. The numerous filaments, composed of subtylostyles, are placed at right angles pointing somewhat apically that are shorter than those mycalostyles (Figure 4C). Foraminifera a prey, entangled in the filament is seen in Figure 4D. The smaller anisochelae are rare in the main stem; abundant large anisochelae cover both the stem and the filament-bearing upper stem (Figure 4E). The small anisochelae are very abundant and are found covering the filaments (Figure 4F–G). Mycalostyles: Slightly curved, fusiform, size range: 574.4–(724.2)–851.9 µm long, 16.4–(20.4)–29.78 µm wide (Figure 5A, Table 2). Subtylostyles: straight, size range: 297.8–(362.6)–553.1 µm long, 8.7–(11.6)–14.4 µm wide (Figure 5B). Anisochelae I: Head of anisochelae with large lateral alae attached to the shaft along about two-thirds of their length, with a sizeable frontal ala, ovoid. The shaft is weakly curved in the first part and has two small fimbriae close to the foot. Size range: 24.5–(32.7)–36.65 µm, shaft diameter 4.3–5.4 µm (Figure 5C–F). ......continued on the next page TABLE 2. (Continued) ......continued on the next page TABLE 2. (Continued) ......continued on the next page TABLE 2. (Continued) ......continued on the next page TABLE 2. (Continued) Anisochelae II: Numerous, covering rare in the main stem and very abundant in the filaments, curved shaft, and upper tooth in the central part about half the total length of the anisochelae, and lateral upper alae covering about 80% of the shaft. The lower end of the anisochelae is in the form of two small plates with a central part of the anisochelae, size range: 4.5–(5.1)–6.4 µm (Figure 5G–H). Sigmancistras: Contorted, concave side flattened, size range: 19.84–(22.9)–27.7 µm (Figure 5I–J). Molecular data. GenBank accession number, 28S: MW810078, mtCOI: MW868386. Remarks. In terms of spicule measurements of A. (A.) bharatiyae sp. nov. is closely related to A. (A.) jamescooki Hestetun, Rapp & Xavier, 2017, described earlier from seamounts in the Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge (Hestetun et al. 2017a), and A. (A.) desmophora Kelly & Vacelet, 2011 which was initially described from seamounts along the Macquarie Ridge in the vicinity of New Zealand, and subsequently recorded from seamounts in the eastern Solomon Islands (Vacelet & Kelly 2014). Asbestopluma (A.) bharatiyae sp. nov. differs from A. (A.) desmophora in lacking desmas, and acanthosubtylostrongyles (which appear to be unique in the latter species compared to other members of the genus), and in the shape of the two types of anisochelae. The larger anisochelae in A. (A.) desmophora and A. (A.) jamescooki are triangular and their upper ends are palmate, while in A. (A.) bharatiyae sp. nov. upper end of the anisochelae is more rounded, with major notches between alae and the shaft of the anisochelae (Figure 5G–H). The smaller palmate anisochelae are more rounded and with the alae covering the shaft in A. (A.) jamescooki than in A. (A.) desmophora. The same general spicule morphology in A. (A.) jamescooki from the SWIOR, from which A. (A.) bharatiyae sp. nov. species from the CIR can be distinguished by geographical distance, general habitus, and other spicule measurements (Table 2). A. (A.) bharatiyae sp. nov. species has bifurcating habit similar to A. (A.) furcata Lundbeck, 1905, A. (A.) jamescooki, and A. (A.) ruetzleri Hestetun, Tompkins-Macdonald & Rapp, 2017 species, but these species differ from the others by the different shapes of anisochelae. Molecular data based on mtCOI and 28S genes from this species has been included in a phylogenetic tree which shows a separate branch of A. (A.) bharatiyae sp. nov. and sister group to A. (A.) jamescooki with high bootstrap support (87) than in A. (A.) desmophora., Published as part of Rengaiyan, Periasamy & Ingole, Baban, 2022, Three New Carnivorous sponge species (Demospongiae: Cladorhizidae) from the Seamounts of the Central Indian Ridge, pp. 451-486 in Zootaxa 5162 (5) on pages 457-464, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5162.5.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6816801, {"references":["Topsent, E. (1901) Notice preliminaire sur les eponges recueillies par l'Expedition Antarctique Belge. Archives de Zoologie Experimentaleet Generale, Series 3, 9 (Notes et Revue), V - XVI","Koltun, V. M. (1964) Sponges of the Antarctic. 1 Tetraxonida and Cornacuspongida. In: Pavlovskii, E., Andriyashev, A. & Ushakov, P. (Eds.), Biological Reports of the Soviet Antarctic Expedition (1955 - 1958). Academy of Sciences of the U. S. S. R., Israel Program for Scientific Translations Ltd., Jerusalem, pp. 1 - 372, pls. I - VIII. [English translation]","Hestetun, J. T., Rapp, H. T. & Xavier, J. (2017 a) Carnivorous sponges (Porifera, Cladorhizidae) from the Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge seamounts. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 137, 166 - 189. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. dsr 2.2016.03.004","Ekins, M., Erpenbeck, D. & Hooper, J. N. A. (2020) Carnivorous sponges from the Australian Bathyal and Abyssal zones collected during the RV Investigator 2017 Expedition. Zootaxa, 4774 (1), 1 - 159. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4774.1.1","Vacelet, J. & Kelly, M. (2014) A new species of Abyssocladia (Porifera, Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida, Cladorhizidae) and other carnivorous sponges from the far eastern Solomon Islands. Zootaxa, 3815 (3), 386. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3815.3.4","Hestetun, J. T., Tompkins-Macdonald, G. & Rapp, H. T. (2017 b) A review of carnivorous sponges (Porifera: Cladorhizidae) from the boreal north Atlantic and Arctic. Zoological Journal of the Linnaean Society, 181, 1 - 69. https: // doi. org / 10.1093 / zoolinnean / zlw 022"]}

Asbestopluma (Asbestopluma) indiyansis sp. nov. Figures 2–3, Table 2 Material examined. Holotype. NCPOR /HYD-CIR/0031, seamount of the Central Indian Ridge, Indian Ocean, 23° 09’ 47.88’’S, 69° 31’ 51.96’’E, 1917 m, 05 April 2020, Benthic Sledge, Coll. Periasamy R, samples in 70% ethanol, MGS Sagar, cruise MGS-35, Sample MGS_35A_BD21(A). Paratype. NCPOR /HYD-CIR/0032 collection details same as holotype, NCPOR /HYD-CIR/0033 collection details same as holotype. Etymology. This species name “ indiyansis ” refers to the country (India). Gender is feminine. Distribution. Species A. (A.) indiyansis sp. nov. is presently known only from the type locality (seamounts of the Central Indian Ridge). Description. Shape and size. The elongated holotype (NCPOR /HYD-CIR/0031) is attached to the dead coral. Holotype forms an unbranched, slender spicular axis arranged at right angles around the main stem. It consists of several bundles of longitudinal mycalostyles forming the main axis among rows of finner filaments tightly placed in all directions with a disc-shaped basal attachment (Figure 2A). The main stem of the sponge is protected by subtylostyle projecting at right angles. It measures 10.2–11.4 cm in total length, with the sponge body 2.8–3.1 mm in diameter. Colour in life is beige, whitish beige when preserved in ethanol. Paratype NCPOR /HYD-CIR/0032 has an unbranched, slender spicular axis and it has a total length of 54.3 mm, a diameter of 3.1 mm. The colour in life is beige. Paratype NCPOR /HYD-CIR/0033 is very similar to the holotype, 62.6 mm in length, with a diameter of 2.3 mm. The colour is life beige scuro when preserved (Figure 2A–B). Skeleton. The main axis of the stem consists of tight bundles of mycalostyles arranged longitudinally with more tissue densely packed in the center. The axis of the filaments (Figure 2C) is supported by rays of mycalostyles placed in a radial pattern and anchored in the main stem. In cross-section, the stem consists of widely spaced bundles of mycalostyles, with a tiny core (Figure 2B–F). Mycalostyle. Spicules of the main axis at the core of the stem, abruptly pointed, size 1089–(1240)–1389 µm long and 32.6–(36.5)–40.4 µm wide (Figure 3A, Table 2). Subtylostyles. Spicules of lateral filaments or body, straight, fusiform, size 258.8–(288.8)–315.4 µm long and 7.7–(9)–10.1 µm wide (Figure 3B). Desmas. Monocrepid, 551–(588)–808 × 25–(47.1)–75 (Figure 3C). Anisochelae I. Numerous, somewhat curved shaft, 70% of the total length covering the primary tooth, alae, three dorsal processes of anisochelae within the lower end, and 30% of the full size covering two well-developed frontal teeth. The upper tooth in the central part of the spicule and lateral alae reach down almost touching the lower end. The foot of the anisochelae is developed into two diverging alae, while the central part has three teeth. The size is 42.9–47.1–51.1 µm long (Figure 3D–E). Anisochelae II. Nearly spherical, the head consisting large lateral alae close to the shaft down their whole length, with a shaft strongly curved bearing two large triangular lateral fimbriae, and smaller third fimbriae in the middle. 90% of the total length is covered with a central tooth and the lower end of the anisochelae has three dorsal processes, with 10% of the full size covered by two well-developed frontal teeth. Further, the main part’s upper tooth and lateral alae reach down to touch and fit between the lower alae. The foot of the anisochelae is developed into two small diverging alae. The size ranges 29.5–40.6 µm long (Figure 3F–H). Anisochelae III. Curved shaft, with 70% of its total length covered by a central tooth, lateral alae, pointed bottom teeth, and claw-like alae at the lower end of anisochelae, with two rudimentary dorsal alae. The leaf-shaped plate of the central part has upwardly-pointed central alae about 1/6th of its total length, size 13.55–(18.34)–23.12 µm long (Figure 3H–J). Sigmancistras. 90° contorted, internal margin compacted, size 20.2–(22.6)–25.1 µm long (Figure 3I–K). Molecular data. GenBank accession number, 28S: MW810077, mtCOI: MW868385. Remarks. This species has a single stem with filaments in rows which is common in the genus and the two types of anisochela and sigmancistras of microsclere spicules are also typical for Asbestopluma. The A. (A.) indiyansis sp. nov. species that most closely matches the habit and spicule complement and spicule morphology of A. (A.) pseudoisochela Hestetun, Rapp & Xavier, 2017, A. (A.) pennatula (Schmidt, 1875) and A. (A.) cf. belgicae (Topsent, 1901). A. (A.) indiyansis sp. nov. differs from other known species by having two types of anisochelae (Figure 3C–E). The new species appears similar morphology to that of the distal parts of A. (A.) pseudoisochela from the SWIOR but differs in having the desmas branching forms. The new species is also similar to A. (A.) cf. belgicae from the Southern Ocean and Southeastern Atlantic (Koltun 1964, Topsent 1901). This new species is unique among the known Asbestopluma species by a combination of its morphology and the unique shape of its anisochelae, and they are roughly spherical. Asbestopluma (A.) bitrichela Bravo & Hajdu, 2011, A. (A.) desmophora Kelly & Vacelet, 2011, A. (A.) inexpectata Lopes & Hajdu, 2014, A. (A.) indiyansis sp. nov. and A. (Helophloeina) stylivarians (Topsent, 1929) have an unusual desmas and all branching forms. This new species can be distinguished from these species most easily by different spicule morphology and sizes for the smaller megascleres and microsclere. Molecular data from A. (A.) indiyansis sp. nov. species was included in a phylogeny of closely related Asbestopluma species. The phylogeny of new species is closely related to A. (A.) pseudoisochela with high bootstrap support (100%), A. (A.) pennatula, and A. (A.) cf. belgicae based on mtCOI and 28S genes., Published as part of Rengaiyan, Periasamy & Ingole, Baban, 2022, Three New Carnivorous sponge species (Demospongiae: Cladorhizidae) from the Seamounts of the Central Indian Ridge, pp. 451-486 in Zootaxa 5162 (5) on pages 454-457, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5162.5.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6816801, {"references":["Hestetun, J. T., Rapp, H. T. & Xavier, J. (2017 a) Carnivorous sponges (Porifera, Cladorhizidae) from the Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge seamounts. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 137, 166 - 189. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. dsr 2.2016.03.004","Topsent, E. (1901) Notice preliminaire sur les eponges recueillies par l'Expedition Antarctique Belge. Archives de Zoologie Experimentaleet Generale, Series 3, 9 (Notes et Revue), V - XVI","Koltun, V. M. (1964) Sponges of the Antarctic. 1 Tetraxonida and Cornacuspongida. In: Pavlovskii, E., Andriyashev, A. & Ushakov, P. (Eds.), Biological Reports of the Soviet Antarctic Expedition (1955 - 1958). Academy of Sciences of the U. S. S. R., Israel Program for Scientific Translations Ltd., Jerusalem, pp. 1 - 372, pls. I - VIII. [English translation]"]}

Chondrocladia sagari sp. nov. Figure 6–7, Table 3 Material examined. Holotype. NCPOR /HYD-CIR/0035, seamount of the Central Indian Ridge, Indian Ocean, 23° 9’ 12.96’’ S, 69° 31’ 13.8’’ E, 2103 m, 20 April 2020, Benthic Sledge, Coll. Periasamy R, samples in 70% ethanol, MGS Sagar, cruise no: MGS-35, Sample MGS 35A-D11. Etymology. Species name “sagari” refers to the Ocean. Sagar means ‘Ocean’ in Hindi. Gender is feminine. Diagnosis: Holotype (Figure 6A) an erect columnar pedunculate sponge with a slender body bearing small filaments processes. The specimen is 3.1 cm in length a 0.5 cm wide. The sponge surface is rough and rigid, and roots are missing. The colour of the sponge is white, cream to clear brown in alcohol. Skeleton: The Axis of peduncle consisting of tightly packed longitudinally large mycalostyles, and elongating to the center of the body (Figure 6C). The enlarged part of the peduncle is composed of mycalostyles and subtylostyles. The body filaments consist of bundles of subtylostyles, covered by soft tissue tightly packed with unguiferate isochelae, and sigmancistras (Figure 6B–F). Megascleres: Styles in two categories (Figure 6A–B), the mycalostyles occur in the main stem with an abrupt shrinking near the head and a short acerate tip. The diameter was maximum in the middle of the shaft, slightly reducing towards both the ends. Size is 1975–(2440)–2659/15–(21)–36 µm (Figure 7A). Subtylostyles of lateral filaments or body consists of a marked oval head. The subtylostyles occur mainly in the body radially orientated and penetrating the ectosome producing make the hispid surface, but also occur in the small tentacular processes. Size is 438–(974)–1988/16–(23)–28 µm (Figure 7B). Microscleres: Multidentate unguiferate isochelae is common in the body and very abundant in the swellings, with four alae at each end. Alae are relatively short, sharp, with a well-marked hull on the underside. Shaft curved, with narrow fimbriae. Size: 37–(44)–53 µm in length with a diameter of 3–(4)–5 µm (Figure 7C). Sigmas (“C”&“S” shapes) are slim and curved differently (Figure 7D). Size: 97–(120)–132 µm in length, 3–(4)–4 µm in diameter (Table 3). Remarks. Our specimen sampled from the Central Indian Ocean, from the lower bathyal at 2103 m depth, is more similar to Chondrocladia clavata Ridley & Dendy (1887) species which is commonly recorded from the Southern Hemisphere (Dressler-Allame et al. 2017, Ekins et al. 2020). C. clavata and C. gracilis Lévi, 1964 have similar mycalostyles in the stem as C. sagari sp. nov., but also have a tridentate unguiferate isochelae in the filaments and body, whereas C. sagari sp.nov. has two categories of styles and a unique multidentate (4 alae) unguiferate isochelae and “C”&“S” shapes sigmas. C. gracilis Lévi, 1964 has a similar spicule type (mycalostyles and subtylostyles) in the stem, body, and filaments, but these are generally smaller than those of the C. sagari sp. nov. The new species is similar to previous descriptions of C. clavata Ridley & Dendy (1887), and more recently Dressler-Allame et al. (2017) who described from the Southern Ocean, and also described at bathyal and abyssal depths off the east coast of Australia during the RV Investigator 2017 Abyss Expedition (Ekins et al. 2020). Both species also resemble C. crinita in external morphology but have much smaller isochelae. The other species of Chondrocladia originally described from the Indian Ocean, namely C. clavata Ridley & Dendy, 1886, C. gracilis Lévi, 1964, C. multichela Lévi, 1964, and C. dichotoma Lévi, 1964, having differed in spicule characters. The morphological descriptions of the new species have been compared with all other species of Chondrocladia in Table 4. The Chondrocladia sagari sp. nov. is recovered as a sister species to C. vaceleti Cristobo, Urgorri & Rios, 2005 with high bootstrap support (48%) and shows a separate branch in the phylogenetic tree based on the mtCOI gene (Figure 8). Molecular data. GenBank accession number mtCOI: MW868387. Distribution. Chondrocladia sagari sp. nov. is known for its type locality in the seamounts of the Central Indian Ridge system., Published as part of Rengaiyan, Periasamy & Ingole, Baban, 2022, Three New Carnivorous sponge species (Demospongiae: Cladorhizidae) from the Seamounts of the Central Indian Ridge, pp. 451-486 in Zootaxa 5162 (5) on pages 464-467, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5162.5.1, http://zenodo.org/record/6816801, {"references":["Ridley S. O. & Dendy, A. (1886) XXXIV. - Preliminary Report on the Monaxonida collected by H. M. S. Challenger. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 18, 325 - 351. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222938609459982","Levi, C. (1964) Spongiaires des zones bathyale, abyssale et hadale, Galathea Report. Scientific Results of the Danish Deep-Sea Expedition Round the World, 1950 - 1952, 7, 63 - 112, pls. II - XI","Cristobo, F. J., Urgorri, V. & Rios, P. (2005) Three new species of carnivorous deep-sea sponges from the DIVA- 1 expedition in the Angola Basin (South Atlantic). Organisms Diversity & Evolution, 5, 203 - 213. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. ode. 2004.11.004","Tendal, O. S. (1973) Sponges collected by the Swedish Deep Sea Expedition. Zoologica Scripta, 2, 33 - 38. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1463 - 6409.1973. tb 00795. x","Ridley, S. O. & Dendy, A. (1887) Report on the Monaxonida collected by HMS. ' Challenger' during the years 1873 - 1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of HMS Challenger during the Years 1873 - 1876. Zoology. W. C. Thomson, Neill and Company, Edinburgh, pp. 1 - 275, pls. I - LI.","Dressler-Allame, M., Gocke, C., Kersken, D., Plotkin, A. & Janussen, D. (2017) Carnivorous sponges (Cladorhizidae) of the deep Weddell Sea, with descriptions of two new species. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 137, 190 - 206. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. dsr 2.2016.08.006","Ekins, M., Erpenbeck, D. & Hooper, J. N. A. (2020) Carnivorous sponges from the Australian Bathyal and Abyssal zones collected during the RV Investigator 2017 Expedition. Zootaxa, 4774 (1), 1 - 159. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4774.1.1"]}

Genus Fibulia Carter, 1886 “ Fibulia is defined by having a plumose or confused choanosomal skeleton of multispicular tracts; microscleres arcuate or reduced isochelae and the presence of only a single size category of oxeas” (taken from Van Soest 2002)., Published as part of Rengaiyan, Periasamy, Palayil, John Kurian & Ingole, Baban, 2022, A new deep-sea sponge Fibulia occiensis sp. nov. (Poecilosclerida: Dendoricellidae) from the 25 ° South Oceanic Core Complex in the Central Indian Ocean Ridge, pp. 87-96 in Zootaxa 5162 (1) on page 89, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5162.1.6, http://zenodo.org/record/6796860, {"references":["Carter, H. J. (1886) Descriptions of Sponges from the Neighbourhood of Port Phillip Heads, South Australia, continued. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 5, 18, 34 - 55 + 126 - 149. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222938609460122","Van Soest, R. W. (2002) Family Dendoricellidae Hentschel, 1923. In: Hooper, J. N. A. & Van Soest, R. W. M. (Eds.), Systema Porifera. A guide to the classification of sponges. Kluwer Academic / Plenum, Publishers, New York, New York, pp. 567 - 571. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / 978 - 1 - 4615 - 0747 - 5 _ 60"]}

Coral reefs harbour remarkable high biodiversity. Reef fishes are among the most important communities in the coral reef ecosystem, significantly contributing to ecosystem functioning and reef resilience. However, under the continuous effect of climate change and human activities, corals and reef fishes are in peril. For the first time, we documented coral reef-associated ichthyofauna from Malvan marine sanctuary (MMS) on the central west coast of India, an understudied marginal patch coral reef habitat.Experiencing severe stress due to concurrent coral bleaching, fishing, sedimentation, intensifying tourism, and coastal development activities. We reported the occurrence of 47 species of reef fishes belonging to 35 genera and 26 families from the MMS, also a list of hard corals from in the MMS, thus highlighting the biodiversity of reef building corals and reef fishes in the MMS. The coral habitat in the MMS is experiencing severe stress due to concurrent thermal coral bleaching, fishing, sedimentation, intensifying tourism, and coastal development activities.. Therefore, urgent intervention with sustainable fishery management policies and long-term reef protection measures is a prerequisite for the persistence of the corals and the associated reef fishes in the MMS.

First quantitative exploration of benthic megafaunal assemblages on the mid-oceanic ridge system of the Carlsberg Ridge, Indian Ocean

Hyalascus andamanensis sp. nov. (Figures 1���2) Material examined. Volcanic seamount, Andaman Back Arc Basin, Andaman Sea: R.V. ��� SONNE ', stn. TVG- 9, 25.XI. 2007, 7 o 56.036 ��� N 94 o03.026��� E, 705 m. Holotype. NIO / BOD / 3 / 2010, stored in alcohol. IORAS i 1, slide. Etymology. The species name is derived from its place of collection. Description. Body: The sponge has a white cylindrical body, about 13 mm long and 6 mm in diameter; the osculum is 4 �� 3 mm in diameter, the walls are very thin 0.5��� 1 mm. Prostalia lateralia are hypodermal pentactins which protrude at about 300 ��m above the dermal surface (Fig. 1). Spicules (Fig. 2): The choanosomal skeleton is composed of diactins 700���3800 ��m in length and 4���15 ��m in diameter; they have rounded, rough outer ends and stout, smooth shafts. Hypodermal pentactins have orthotropal tangential rays about 800���1700 ��m in length and 8���24 ��m in diameter, the proximal ray is more than 1400 ��m in length. Some of the tangential rays are smooth, the others have rough surface; the outer ends are conically pointed. Dermalia are stauractins, rarely tauactins and pentactins, sometimes they have 1���2 rudimental tubercles instead of the reduced rays. The rays of dermal stauractins are rough with rounded or conically pointed outer ends, have 59���111 ��m in length (n= 25, avg= 93, std= 12) with a diameter of about 5 ��m. Atrialia are hexactins, their rays directed inside the atrial cavity are 67���215 ��m in length (n= 23, avg= 161, std= 36), tangential rays are 74���200 ��m in length (n= 24, avg= 146, std= 30), ray directed inside the body is 41��� 207 ��m in length (n= 22, avg= 138, std= 36). The rays are 5���7 ��m in diameter, their surface is rough and outer ends are rounded or conically pointed. Microscleres are oxyhexactins together with some oxyhemihexasters and oxyhexasters, and microdiscohexasters. Oxyhexactins are 67���141 ��m in diameter (n= 25, avg= 103, std= 3). Oxyhemihexasters and oxyhexasters are 74���141 ��m in diameter (n= 10, avg= 98, std= 20) with primary rosette 7���10 ��m in diameter (in the latter). Microdiscohexasters are spherical, 18���25 ��m in diameter (n= 7, avg= 22, std= 3) with primary rosette 4���7 ��m in diameter (n= 7, avg= 6, std= 1). Remarks. Most species of Hyalascus have dermal spicules predominately in the form of pentactins: H. baculifer, H. giganteus, H. similis and H. stellatus. In one species, they are mostly hexactins: H. sagamiensis. Four species, including the new one, have mostly stauractins: H. andamanensis sp. nov., H. anisoactinus, H. attenuatus and H. pinulohexactinus. The new species differs by the smallest size of microdiscohexasters, 18��� 25 ��m in diameter, while in all other species, these spicules are larger (25���72 ��m in H. anisoactinus; 25���65 ��m in H. pinulohexactinus) and even notably larger in some species (about 117 ��m in H. baculifer and about 63 ��m in H. stellatus)., Published as part of Sautya, Sabyasachi, Tabachnick, Konstantin R. & Ingole, Baban, 2010, First record of Hyalascus (Hexactinellida: Rossellidae) from the Indian Ocean, with description of a new species from a volcanic seamount in the Andaman Sea, pp. 64-68 in Zootaxa 2667 on pages 65-67, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.276395

Thecacineta calix (Schroder, 1907) (Fig. 6, 12) = Acineta calix Schroder, 1907 = Thecacineta desmodorae Schulz = Thecacineta subantarctica Allgen = Thecacineta donsi Allgen = Thecacineta paradesmodorae Allgen = Thecacineta laophontis Jankowski, 1981, syn. n. = Paracineta moebiusi Kahl, 1934, syn. n. Diagnosis: Type species of the genus. Marine loricate, suctorian. Cell body entirely fills the lorica and attached to their bottom. Lorica totally ribbed transversely. Apical part of body protrudes beyond lorica aperture. Up to 30 clavate tentacles with length about 90 ��m arise from upper body surface. Macronucleus large, oviform, located at the bottom of the cell body. With large contractile vacuole placed in basal body part usually near macronucleus. Body dimensions: lorica high 73���113 ��m (75���105 ��m after Matthes 1956), width 25���28 ��m (39���53 ��m after Matthes 1956), body length 73���140 ��m, body width 16���21 ��m, diameter of lorica aperture (after Matthes 1956) 18���30 ��m, macronucleus dimensions 7���16 x 6���7 ��m, stalk length 9���39 ��m (10���33 ��m after Matthes 1956), stalk diameter 1.6��� 2 ��m. Reproduction by vermigemmy with formation of single larval stage (swarmer), devoid of ciliature and crawling over the substrate. Remarks on the systematics and nomenclature: Thecacineta calix, a marine, loricate, suctorian ciliate with a single apical fascicle of tentacles, was described from marine nematodes (Schroder 1907). Subsequently, Collin (1909) combined all known species that had a similar morphology into the genus, Thecacineta Collin, 1909. In 1912, in a monograph on suctorian ciliates, Collin redescribed the genus and named T. calix as a type species. T. calix was investigated in detail by Matthes (1956), in his revision of thecacinetid suctorians. Several species found on the interstitial marine nematodes and harpacticoid copepods were synonymyzed with T. calix: T. desmodorae Schulz, T. subantarctica Allgen, T. donsi Allgen and T. paradesmodorae Allgen. Jankowski (1981) proposed a new specific name, T. laophontis, for T. calix found by Matthes (1956) on copepod crustaceans. The basis for his conclusion was the presence of some morphological differences between forms from crustaceans and nematodes. However, Jankowski (1981) did not present any arguments to support his conclusions. We believe that the name proposed by Jankowski (1981) is a junior synonym of T. calix. A species of Paracineta was identified by Moebius (1888), cited after Kahl, (1934) from the Kiel Bay of the North Sea from ��� Holocarus sp.��� under the name Acineta crenata (Fraipont 1878). According to Kahl���s (1934) opinion, the identification of Par. crenata by Moebius (1888) was erroneous, and Kahl (1934) described it as a new species, Par. moebiusi. Both Kahl (1934) and Curds (1987) have indicated the host name for Kahl���s (1934) species as Holocarus sp. Kahl (1934) did not mention the systematic position of the host, whereas Curds (1987) noted that it was a crustacean. However, it is likely that this was a mistake, and that the host was a species of the mite genus Halacarus, family Halacaridae. We feel that Par. moebiusi is similar enough to T. calix to warrant making it a junior synonym of T. calix. Distribution and host prevalence: T. calix was observed on halacarid mites by Gelmboldt & Dovgal (2005). It has been found on the idiosoma and legs of Halacarellus sp. in Odessa gulf of the Black Sea near biological station of the Odessa National University in the interstitial at a depth of 5���20 cm. Among the suctorians observed by Bartsch (1989, 1998) and Ab�� (1997), we identified T. calix from the Black Sea near Sevastopol on the idiosoma of Halacarellus micropectinatus Bartsch; the North Sea on Cop. fabricii (Lohmann) (Bartsch 1989, Fig. 19; Bartsch 1998, Fig. 90); and from the northwest Pacific Ocean off Hokkaido, Japan, on the posterodorsal plate of Actacarus octosetus Ab�� (Ab�� 1997, figs. 5 G, F). As previously mentioned, T. calix has also been described from nematodes and copepods. Its presence on marine mites testifies to its wider distribution and host spectrum., Published as part of Dovgal, Igor, Chatterjee, Tapas & Ingole, Baban, 2008, An overview of Suctorian ciliates (Ciliophora, Suctorea) as epibionts of halacarid mites (Acari, Halacaridae), pp. 60-68 in Zootaxa 1810 on pages 63-64, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182778, {"references":["Schroder, O. (1907) Die Infusorien der deutschen sudpolar - Expedition. Ergebn. d. D. Sudpolar Expedition 1901 - 1903, 9, 349 - 360.","Jankowski, A. V. (1981) New species, genera and families of tentacled infusoria (class Suctoria). Proceedings of the Zoologica lInstitute, 107, 80 - 115. (In Russian with English summary).","Kahl, A. (1934) Suctoria. In: Grimpe, G. & Wagler, E (Eds.). Die Tierwelt der Nord- und Ostsee. Lief 26, 11, pp. 184 - 226.","Matthes, D. (1956) Suktorienstudien VIII. Thecacineta calix (Schroder, 1907) (Thecacinetidae nov. fam.) und ihre Fortpflanzung durch Vermoid-Schwarmer. Archiv fur Protistenkunde, 101, 477 - 528.","Collin, B. (1909) Diagnoses preliminaires d'Acinetiens nouveaux ou mal connus. Comptes rendus hebdomadaires des seances de L'Academie des Sciences. Paris, 149, 1094 - 1095.","Collin, B. (1912) Etudes monographiques sur les Acinetiens. II. Morphologie, physiologie, systematique. Archives de Zoologie Experimentale et Generale, 51, 1 - 457.","Fraipont, J. (1878) Recherches sur les Acinetiens de la cote d'Ostende. Bulletin de l'Academie (r.) des sciences des lettres et des beaux arte de Belgique, 45, 247 - 299.","Curds, C. R. (1987) A revision of Suctoria (Ciliophora, Kinetofragminofora) 5. The Paracineta and Corynophrya problem. A. R. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Zoology series, 52, 71 - 106.","Gelmboldt, M. V. & Dovgal, I. V. (2005) The new finds of suctorian ciliates (Ciliophora, Suctorea) at the halacarid mites (Acari, Halacaridae) from the Ukrainian coast of the Black Sea. Vestnik Zoologii, Supplement N 19, 85 - 86. (In Russian with English summary).","Bartsch, I. (1989) Copidognathus brifacius n. sp. (Halacaridae, Acari) und Bemerkungen zu weiteren Bewohners des Seeigels Spatangus purpureus (Echinoidea). Mitteilungen aus dem Hamburgischen zoologischen Museum Institut, 86, 315 - 328.","Bartsch, I. (1998) Halacarinae (Acari: Halacaroidea) from the northwestern Black Sea: A review. Mitteilungen aus dem hamburgischen zoologischen Museum und Institut, 95, 143 - 178.","Abe, H. (1997) Halacarid mites of the genus Actacarus (Acari: Halacaridae) from Hokkaido, Northern Japan. Species Diversity, 2, 31 - 42."]}

Thecacineta spp. Grimaldi (1965) reported Thecacineta sp. on Act. pygmaeus Schulz from Sardinia. Furthermore, the unidentified suctorian species observed (Bartsch 1994) on Halacarellus auzendei (Bartsch) from a deep sea (3500 m) Atlantic Ocean sample probably belonged to the genus Thecacineta. However, Bartsch’s (1994) illustration was insufficient for species identification. It is possible that it represents a new suctorian species. Figures of a suctorian in an SEM photomicrograph of Cop. laevisetosus Chatterjee, Lee & Chang (Chatterjee et al. 2004) suggest that it is a species belonging to the genus Thecacineta.

Thecacineta spp. Grimaldi (1965) reported Thecacineta sp. on Act. pygmaeus Schulz from Sardinia. Furthermore, the unidentified suctorian species observed (Bartsch 1994) on Halacarellus auzendei (Bartsch) from a deep sea (3500 m) Atlantic Ocean sample probably belonged to the genus Thecacineta. However, Bartsch���s (1994) illustration was insufficient for species identification. It is possible that it represents a new suctorian species. Figures of a suctorian in an SEM photomicrograph of Cop. laevisetosus Chatterjee, Lee & Chang (Chatterjee et al. 2004) suggest that it is a species belonging to the genus Thecacineta., Published as part of Dovgal, Igor, Chatterjee, Tapas & Ingole, Baban, 2008, An overview of Suctorian ciliates (Ciliophora, Suctorea) as epibionts of halacarid mites (Acari, Halacaridae), pp. 60-68 in Zootaxa 1810 on page 65, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182778, {"references":["Grimaldi, P. (1965) Osservazioni su alcuni elementi del mesopsammon della Sardegna. Monitore Zoologico Italiano, 73, 61 - 65.","Bartsch, I. (1994) Halacarid mites (Acari) from hydrothermal deep-sea sites. New records. Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 35, 479 - 490.","Chatterjee, T., Lee, J. M. & Chang, C. Y. (2004) Two Copidognathus halacarids (Acari: Halacaridae) from Korea. The Korean Journal of Systematic Zoology, 20, 45 - 54."]}

Praethecacineta halacari (Schulz, 1933), charact. emend (Fig. 4, 5, 9 ���11) = Thecacineta halacari Schulz, 1933 = Lissacineta allgeni Jankowski, 1981, syn. n. = Thecacineta allgeni (Jankowski, 1981), syn. n. Diagnosis: Marine suctorians with stylotheca. Cell body, slightly, laterally flattened, entirely filling the lorica and attached to its posterior margin. Apical part of the body narrowed. FIGSURES 1���2. Limnoricus ceter Jankowski, 1981 from halacarid mite (2 ���stalk) (after Jankowski 1981). FIGURE 3. Limnoricus ceter from isopode crustacean (after Jankowski 1981). Tentacles placed at upper cell surface. Macronucleus spherical, posteriorly located. Contractile vacuole single. Stylotheca smooth, without ribbing. Body dimensions: lorica length 31���38 ��m (85���110 ��m after Schulz 1933), lorica width 18���21 ��m (35���55 ��m after Schulz 1933), stalk length 3���26 ��m (50���110 ��m after Schulz 1933). Reproduction by semi-circumvaginative exogemmic budding with formation of laterally placed ciliary swarmers (Fig. 10). Original measurements of Pra. halacari were made using specimens from Goa, India. Remarks on the systematics and nomenclature: Pra. halacari was described from marine halacarid mites from interstitial sand (Schulz 1933) and classified with the genus Thecacineta Collin, 1909. However, except for Pra. halacari, formation of unciliated swarmers is characteristic for all species of the genus. It was for this reason that Matthes (1956) assigned Pra. halacari to the current genus Praethecacineta Matthes, 1956 and placed it together with the genus Thecacineta in a new family, Thecacinetidae. Finally, in the keys for identification of suctorians of Ukraine (Dovgal 1996), Praethecacineta was placed into the subclass Exogenia Сollin, 1912 in the new family Praethecacinetidae Dovgal, 1996, based on the type of budding. Jankowski (1981) noted that the species identified by Batisse (1965) as Pra. halacari was wrongly identified and proposed the new species name Lissacineta allgeni. The generic name was later synonymyzed by Dovgal (2002) with Thecacineta, and Lis. allgeni was transferred into the genus. However, the absence of lorica ribbing warranted new species erection by Jankowski (1981), while a smooth and slightly folded lorica is characteristic for Pra. halacari. Thus, Jankowski���s species is considered a junior synonym of Pra. halacari. Distribution and host prevalence: The species was previously observed near the Norwegian coast (Troms��) and in the Kiel Bay (Schulz 1933) on unidentified halacarids. Precht (1935) later identified Pra. halacari on Copidognathus spp in the latter locality. Rare instances of the species are also known from the Bulgarian coast of the Black Sea (Detcheva 1992). Praethecacineta halacari was found on the legs and body surface (both ventrally and dorsally) of Copidognathus brachystomus Viets from the Black Sea near Karadag Natural Reserve (Kurortnoye, Crimea region, Ukraine; Boshko & Dovgal 2004). It was also recorded in interstitial sand at Cape Martian Reserve near the village of Nikita in the Yalta region (Crimea), from an unidentified halacarid mite (Gelmboldt & Dovgal 2005). Among the suctorians observed by Bartsch (1989, 1998, 2001, 2003), we identified several individuals of Pra. halacari on the idiosomas of the following halacarid mites: Cop. brachystomus Viets (Bartsch 2001), Cop. magnipalpus (Police), and Caspihalacarus hyrcanus Viets (Bartsch 1998) from Black Sea soft sediment; Cas. hyrcanus from the Caspian Sea (Bartsch 1998); Cop. brifacius Bartsch from sandy deposits from the North Sea (Bartsch 1989); and on the idiosoma and gnathosoma of Cop. meridianus Bartsch off the coast of Western Australia (Bartsch 2003). Furthermore, from the figure in Pepato & Tiago (2005), we have also identified Pra. halacari on the idiosoma of Cop. tupinamborum Pepato & Tiago from the Atlantic coast of Brazil. In the present study, we have also found Pra. halacari on Cop. arabicus Chatterjee & Chang collected from Goa on the west coast of India (Arabian Sea) (Figs. 9 ���11). Seven of the 33 mites were infested by suctorians. We observed that Pra. halacari was found on Cop. arabicus, but not on species of the co-occurring genera Rhombognathus and Agauopsis. Furthermore, Pra. halacari is reported here for first time from India., Published as part of Dovgal, Igor, Chatterjee, Tapas & Ingole, Baban, 2008, An overview of Suctorian ciliates (Ciliophora, Suctorea) as epibionts of halacarid mites (Acari, Halacaridae), pp. 60-68 in Zootaxa 1810 on pages 61-63, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.182778, {"references":["Schultz, E. (1933) Beitrage zur Kenntnis marinen Suctorien. V. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 103, 327 - 329.","Jankowski, A. V. (1981) New species, genera and families of tentacled infusoria (class Suctoria). Proceedings of the Zoologica lInstitute, 107, 80 - 115. (In Russian with English summary).","Collin, B. (1909) Diagnoses preliminaires d'Acinetiens nouveaux ou mal connus. Comptes rendus hebdomadaires des seances de L'Academie des Sciences. Paris, 149, 1094 - 1095.","Matthes, D. (1956) Suktorienstudien VIII. Thecacineta calix (Schroder, 1907) (Thecacinetidae nov. fam.) und ihre Fortpflanzung durch Vermoid-Schwarmer. Archiv fur Protistenkunde, 101, 477 - 528.","Dovgal, I. V. (1996) Keys for identification of tentaculous infusoria (Ciliophora, Suctoria) of the Ukrainian fauna. Vestnik Zoologii, Suppl., N 2, 1 - 42. (In Russian).","Dovgal, I. V. (2002) Evolution, phylogeny and classification of Suctorea Claparede et Lachmann, 1858. Protistology, 2, 194 - 270.","Precht, H. (1935) Epizoen der Kielr Bucht. Nova Acta Leopoldina Halle, N. F. 3, 405 - 474.","Detcheva, R. (1992) Catalogi faunae Bulgaricae. 1. Protozoa, Ciliophora. In: Aedibus Academiae Scientiarum Bulgaricae. Sofia, 134 pp.","Boshko, E. G. & Dovgal, I. V. (2004) Sessile ciliates (Ciliophora). In: Karadag. Hydrobiological observations (Scientific works dedicated to 90 th anniversary of T. I. Vyazemsky Karadag Scientific Station and 25 th anniversary of Karadag Natural Reserve of Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences). Book 2. Simferopol: Sonat. pp. 313 - 316. (In Russian).","Gelmboldt, M. V. & Dovgal, I. V. (2005) The new finds of suctorian ciliates (Ciliophora, Suctorea) at the halacarid mites (Acari, Halacaridae) from the Ukrainian coast of the Black Sea. Vestnik Zoologii, Supplement N 19, 85 - 86. (In Russian with English summary).","Bartsch, I. (1989) Copidognathus brifacius n. sp. (Halacaridae, Acari) und Bemerkungen zu weiteren Bewohners des Seeigels Spatangus purpureus (Echinoidea). Mitteilungen aus dem Hamburgischen zoologischen Museum Institut, 86, 315 - 328.","Bartsch, I. (1998) Halacarinae (Acari: Halacaroidea) from the northwestern Black Sea: A review. Mitteilungen aus dem hamburgischen zoologischen Museum und Institut, 95, 143 - 178.","Bartsch, I. (2001) Black Sea Copidognathinae (Arachnida: Acari: Halacaridae): A review. Mitteilungen aus dem Museum fur Naturkunde in Berlin, Zoologische Reiche, 77, 247 - 275.","Bartsch, I. (2003) A new arenicolous Copidognathus (Halacaridae: Acari) from Dampier, Western Australia. In: Wells, F. E., Walker, DL. & Jones, D. S. (Eds.). T he Marine Flora and Fauna of Dampier, Western Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth. pp. 282 - 290.","Pepato, A. R. & Tiago, C. G. (2005) New species and new occurences of Copidognathus (Acari, Halacaridae) from the northern littoral zone of Sao Paulo State (Brazil). Zootaxa, 1083, 1 - 35."]}

This article deals with the characteristics of the suctorian Limnoricus ponticus Dovgal & Lozowskiy, 2008 that was observed for the first time on Kinorhyncha as a host and in a new locality (the Indian Ocean). In addition to the refined diagnosis of the genus Limnoricus Jankowski, 1981, all other species characteristics and identification keys are also presented.