| Abstract |
CIROLANA MERCURYI SP. NOV., A DISTINCTIVE CIROLANID ISOPOD
(FLABELLIFERA) FROM THE CORALS REEFS OF ZANZIBAR,
EAST AFRICA
Cirolana mercuryi sp. nov. is described from the coral reef of Bawe Island, Zanzibar, East Africa.
It is unusual in having the anterior margin of the head strongly produced and overriding the laterally
inserted antennules and antennae. This character alone distinguishes the species from all others of
the genus, but it is further characterized by large epimera on pleonites 3 and 4 and robust pereopods
1-3, the inferior margins of which are provided with cuticular spines. Brief discussion is given on
the cirolanid diversity of East Africa in comparison to that of three other tropical locations. |
