Stenasellus stygopersicus
| Stenasellus stygopersicus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Isopoda |
| Family: | Stenasellidae |
| Genus: | Stenasellus |
| Species: | S. stygopersicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Stenasellus stygopersicus Jugovic, Malek-Hosseini & Issartel, 2024 | |
Stenasellus stygopersicus is a species of isopod from the family Stenasellidae. It was discovered by researchers in Iran and described in 2024.
Etymology and discovery
The name Stenasellus stygopersicus is derived from a combination of stygo (from the ancient Greek stýx) and persicus, in reference to Persia (another name for Iran) where the species was discovered.[1] The isopod is the second species of Stenasellus discovered in Iran.[2] Researchers found the species inhabiting the Chah Kabootari Cave in Iran, and described the species for the first time in 2024.[2]
The cave researchers found the species is rich in hydrogen sulfide and was described as smelling like rotten eggs.[1] The cave belongs to the Tashan-Chah Kabootari aquifer on the Zagros Mountains, and is fed by sulfidic groundwater.[2] The Chah Kabootari Cave is adjacent to the Tashan Cave, which is the locality of Stenasellus tashanicus, the first recorded species of Stenasellidae from Iran.[2]
Description
Researchers found that the species is characterized by a body size of ≥ 20 mm (0.79 in), a female-biased sexual size dimorphism, and a distinct black-pigmented Bellonci's organ.[2] The species has a "coral pink" color.[1] Its size and sexual dimorphism cause the species to be distinct from related isopods.[1] Males are about a 0.5 in (13 mm) long, have a coral-colored body, and a head described as "trapezoidal".[1] The females are much bigger, with the body size of the longest measured at 0.88 in (22 mm).[1] Like all species in its genus, Senasellus stygopersicus is "eyeless", likely due to its pitch black environment.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wright, Irene (November 26, 2024). "'Large' creature discovered in cave smelling of rotten eggs in Iran. It's a new species". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Jugovic, Jure; Malek-Hosseini, Mohammad Javad; Issartel, Colin; Konecny-Dupré, Lara; Kuntner, Matjaž; Fatemi, Yaser; Flot, Jean-François; Douady, Christophe J.; Malard, Florian (November 15, 2024). "A second species of Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 (Isopoda, Stenasellidae) from sulfidic groundwater of Iran described using morphological and molecular methods". European Journal of Taxonomy. 968 (1): 256–274. Retrieved December 31, 2024.