Stenasellus stygopersicus
| Stenasellus stygopersicus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Isopoda |
| Family: | Stenasellidae |
| Genus: | Stenasellus |
| Species: | S. stygopersicus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Stenasellus stygopersicus | |
Stenasellus stygopersicus is a species of isopod. Discovered by researchers in Iran and first described in 2024, it is species of Stenasellidae.
Etymology and discovery
[edit]The name Stenasellus stygopersicus is derived from a combination of stygo (from the ancient Greek stýx) and persicus, in reference to Persia—which is another name for Iran—where the species was discovered.[1] The isopod is the second species of Stenasellus Dollfus discovered.[2] Researchers found the species inhabiting the Chah Kabootari Cave in Iran, describing 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 is fed by sulfidic groundwater and belongs to the Tashan-Chah Kabootari species-rich aquifer on the Zagros Mountains.[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
[edit]Researchers found that the species is characterized by a body size of ≥ 20 mm, 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 half-inch 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 inches.[1] Like all species in its genus, the Senasellus stygopersicus is "eyeless", likely due to its pitch black environment.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g 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.
- ^ a b c d e 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.