Edotia abyssalis n. sp. from the Southwest Atlantic Ocean, first record of the genus (Isopoda, Valvifera, Idoteidae) in the deep sea

Abstract

Edotia abyssalis n. sp. from the Mar del Plata submarine canyon, Southwest Atlantic Ocean is described. The finding of this new species represents the first record of the genus Edotia in the abyssal zone. E. abyssalis n. sp. can be distinguished from the remaining congeners by the presence of long and slender eyestalks without ommatidia. Additional records of distribution for E. oculata Ohlin, 1901, E. turberculata Guérin-Méneville, 1844, E. doellojuradoi Giambiagi, 1925, E. bilobata Nordenstam, 1933 and E. transversa Menzies, 1962 are presented. A key to the Edotia species from the Southern Hemisphere is given.