identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
D3E613DBA035568AAED53DA6CDAF2671.text	D3E613DBA035568AAED53DA6CDAF2671.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Gnathia brevicula Botha & Smit & Erasmus & Hadfield 2025	<div><p>Gnathia brevicula sp. nov.</p><p>Figs 6, 7, 8, 9</p><p>Gnathia spongicola var. minor — Barnard 1920: 334.</p><p>Gnathia barnardi — Smit 1997: 128–142 (nomen nudum).</p><p>Material examined.</p><p>Holotype. South Africa • 1 ♂ (2.9 mm); <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=18.55&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-34.3167" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 18.55/lat -34.3167)">False Bay</a>; 34°19.002'S, 18°33'E; depth 55 m; 4 May 1898; SS Pieter Fauer; trawl; branching sponges (SAMC A 099275) .</p><p>Paratypes. South Africa • 162 ♂♂ (3.0– 3.1 mm); same data as holotype (SAM A 4150) • 135 ♂♂ (2.5–2.8 mm); False Bay; no coordinates provided; depth 55 m; trawl (SAM A 4151) .</p><p>Other material. South Africa • 1 ♂ (3.2 mm); Cape Point; 34°31.3'S, 18°341'E; depth 71 m; 22 May 1961; RV Africana II; dredge (SAM A 43146) • 1 ♂ (damaged); <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=18.55&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-34.3167" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 18.55/lat -34.3167)">False Bay</a>; 34°19.002'S, 18°33'E; depth 77 m; 27 October 1961; RV Africana II; dredge (SAM A 43147) • 1 ♂ (3.0 mm); <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=18.518333&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-34.521667" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 18.518333/lat -34.521667)">Cape Point</a>; 34°31.3'S, 18°31.1'E; depth 66 m; 22 May 1961; RV Africana II; dredge (SAM A 43162) .</p><p>Description of adult male.</p><p>Body (Fig. 6 A) 2.3 times as long as greatest width, widest at pereonite 3; dorsal surfaces anteriorly with tubercules and posterior smooth, sparsely setose. Cephalosome (Figs 6 B, 9 A) 0.6 times as long as wide; lateral margins sub-parallel; posterior margin concave; dorsal surface with numerous granules; dorsal sulcus narrow, shallow, short; translucent region absent; para-ocular ornamentation strongly developed with several tubercles and setae; posterior median tubercle present. Frontolateral processes absent. Frontal margin slightly produced, median point excavate. External scissura present, narrow, deep. Mediofrontal process absent. Superior frontolateral process present, single, strong, rounded and extended, with 1 pair of long simple setae. Inferior frontolateral process absent. Mesioventral margin straight, setose, anterior tip not dorsally visible. Supraocular lobe not pronounced, wide and rounded, accessory supraocular lobe not pronounced. Eyes present, elongate, 0.5 times as long as cephalosome length, contiguous with head surface, ommatidia arranged in rows.</p><p>Pereon lateral margins narrowing posteriorly, without setae; anteriorly with large granules. Pereonite 1 not fused dorsally with cephalosome; dorsolateral margins fully obscured by cephalosome. Pereonite 2 wider than pereonite 1. Pereonite 4 without anterior constriction, median groove absent. Areae laterales present on pereonite 5; dorsal sulcus obscured by pereonite 6. Pereonite 6 with weak lobi laterales; lobuii weak, globular. Pereonite 7 not visible in dorsal view. Pleon epimera not dorsally visible on all pleonites.</p><p>Pleotelson (Fig. 6 F) 1.1 times as long as anterior width; lateral margins smooth; anterolateral margins weakly concave; posterolateral margin straight with 2 pairs of submarginal setae; apex with 2 setae.</p><p>Antennula (Fig. 6 C) shorter than antenna. Peduncle article 1 without tubercles; article 2 0.8 times as long as article 1; article 3 1.9 times as long as article 2, 1.9 times as long as wide. Flagellum as long as article 3, with 5 articles; article 3 with 1 aesthetasc and 1 simple seta; article 4 with 1 aesthetasc; article 5 terminating with 1 aesthetasc and 3 simple setae. Antenna (Fig. 6 D) peduncle with 4 articles; article 3 1.9 times as long as wide, 1.6 times as long as article 2, with 3 penicillate setae and 2 simple setae; article 4 as long as article 3, with 2 penicillate setae, twice as long as wide, with 6 simple setae. Flagellum with 7 articles; 1.5 times as long as article 4; terminating with 3 simple setae.</p><p>Mandibl e (Fig. 6 E) 1.3 times as long as width, 0.4 times as long as length of cephalosome, weakly curved distally; apex 35.4 % total length; mandibular seta present. Carina present, smooth along proximal half. Incisor elevated, standing clear of surface, distal denticulation present. Blade present, weakly convex, dentate along 64.6 % of margin. Internal lobe absent. Dorsal lobe absent. Basal neck short. Erisma and lamina dentata absent.</p><p>Pylopod (Fig. 7 A) article 1 1.4 times as long as wide; with 2 distinct areolae; without distolateral lobe; posterior and lateral margins forming rounded curve; lateral margin with 22 large plumose setae; mesial margin with continuous scale-setae; 3 simple setae present on the surface; distal margin with 5 simple setae; article 2 1.3 times as long as wide, with 6 simple setae; article 3 minute (Fig. 7 B), with 2 setae.</p><p>Maxilliped (Fig. 7 C) 5 - articled; article 1 lateral margin with continuous marginal scale-setae; article 2 lateral margin with 4 plumose setae; article 3 lateral margin with 6 plumose setae; article 4 lateral margin with 5 plumose setae; article 5 with 7 plumose setae and 4 simple setae; endite extending to mid-margin of article 3.</p><p>Pereopods 2–6 (Fig. 8 A – E) with long, simple setae and randomly covered in pectinate scales; propodus distal robust seta slightly longer than proximal robust seta; inferior margins with prominent tubercles. Pereopod 2 (Fig. 8 A) with tubercles on basis to carpus; basis 1.8 times as long as greatest width, superior margin with 6 setae, inferior margin with 8 setae; ischium 0.5 times as long as basis, 1.6 times as long as wide, superior margin with 4 setae, inferior margin with 7 setae; merus 0.6 times as long as ischium, as long as wide, superior margin with 2 setae; superior margin with bulbous protrusion; inferior margin with 5 setae; carpus 0.6 times as long as ischium, twice as long as wide, superior margin with 1 seta, inferior margin with 3 setae; propodus 0.8 times as long as ischium, 2.8 times as long as wide, superior margin with 2 simple setae, superior margin with 2 penicillate setae, inferior margin with 1 simple seta, and 2 robust setae; dactylus (with unguis) 1.2 times as long as propodus. Pereopods 3 (Fig. 8 B) and 4 (Fig. 8 C) similar to pereopod 2. Pereopod 6 (Fig. 8 E) with tubercles on superior margin of basis and with tubercles on inferior margin of merus; basis 1.6 times as long as greatest width, superior margin with 5 simple setae, and 1 penicillate seta, inferior margin with 7 setae; ischium 0.8 times as long as basis, 2.1 times as long as greatest width, superior margin with 1 seta, inferior margin with 3 setae; merus 0.5 times as long as ischium, 1.2 times as long as wide, superior margin with 2 setae, without dense patch of scale-setae; carpus 0.4 times as long as ischium, 1.7 times as long as wide, superior margin with 2 setae; propodus 0.7 times as long as ischium, 3.4 times as long as wide, superior margin with 3 setae, and 2 robust setae; dactylus (with unguis) 0.7 times as long as propodus.</p><p>Penial process 0.6 times as long as basal width, slightly produced lobe.</p><p>Pleopod 2 (Fig. 6 G) exopod 2.1 as long as wide, distally broadly rounded, with 9 plumose setae; endopod twice as long as wide, distally broadly rounded, with 8 plumose setae; appendix masculina absent; peduncle 1.2 as wide as long, mesial margin with 2 coupling setae, lateral margin with 1 simple seta.</p><p>Uropod (Fig. 6 G) rami extending to pleotelson apex, apices broadly rounded. Peduncle with 1 dorsal seta. Endopod 2.6 as long as greatest width; lateral margin straight; distomesial margin sinuate, with 8 long plumose setae. Exopod extending to end of endopod, 3.8 as long as greatest width; lateral margin weakly sinuate, with 6 simple setae; distomesial margin sinuate, with 4 long, plumose setae.</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>The species name brevicula is derived from the Latin adjective brevis, meaning “ short ”, combined with the diminutive suffix - cula, which conveys smallness. The name thus translates as “ the little short one, ” in reference to the species’ smaller body size compared to G. spongicola . This etymology proves particularly fitting as Barnard originally regarded the specimens as a diminutive form of G. spongicola .</p><p>Remarks.</p><p>Gnathia brevicula sp. nov. can be distinguished by a slightly produced frontal margin; two strong frontolateral processes that are rounded and extended; wide and rounded supraocular lobes that are minimally developed; mandibles that are weakly curved distally; and a pereonite 5 divided into two by pereonite 6.</p><p>Barnard (1920) originally designated this taxon as Gnathia spongicola var. minor, considering the morphological differences too minor to justify recognition as a separate species. He attributed these variations to habitat differences, with G. brevicula sp. nov. inhabiting smaller, branching sponges, while G. spongicola was found in larger sponges. Morphological differences noted by Barnard (1920) included a smaller body size, more robust antennae, a greater number of tubercles on the cephalosome, and stouter pereopods.</p><p>Upon closer examination, however, these morphological distinctions support the recognition of G. brevicula sp. nov. as a separate species. In addition to Barnard’s observations, the shape of the frontal margin differs between G. brevicula sp. nov. and G. spongicola . Although both species have maxillipeds composed of five articles, the distal four articles of G. spongicola bear plumose setae in the sequence 5–6 – 5 – 8, while in G. brevicula sp. nov. the sequence is 4–6 – 5 – 7. Moreover, G. spongicola displays a greater number of simple setae on the pylopod than G. brevicula sp. nov.</p><p>The name G. spongicola var. minor was first proposed as a separate species in Smit’s (1997) dissertation under the provisional name Gnathia barnardi . Since then, G. barnardi has appeared in online sources, often cited as G. barnardi Smit &amp; Basson, 2002 . However, this name was never formally described following International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) rules and is therefore not considered a validly established species name.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/D3E613DBA035568AAED53DA6CDAF2671	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Pensoft via Plazi	Botha, Hesmarié;Smit, Nico J.;Erasmus, Anja;Hadfield, Kerry A.	Botha, Hesmarié, Smit, Nico J., Erasmus, Anja, Hadfield, Kerry A. (2025): A redescription and two new descriptions of gnathiid isopods (Isopoda, Gnathiidae) from South African museum collections (1898 – 1976). ZooKeys 1256: 115-140, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1256.162445
250B898DDEE2529799A6DB31F930164B.text	250B898DDEE2529799A6DB31F930164B.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Gnathia lancifera Botha & Smit & Erasmus & Hadfield 2025	<div><p>Gnathia lancifera sp. nov.</p><p>Figs 10, 11, 12, 13</p><p>Not Gnathia spongicola — Smit 1997: 98–112</p><p>Material examined.</p><p>Holotype. South Africa • 1 ♂ (4.1 mm); east of <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=32.68&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-27.991667" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 32.68/lat -27.991667)">Lake St Lucia</a>; 27°59.5'S, 32°40.8'E; depth 550 m; 22 May 1976; RV Meiring Naude; dredge (SAMC A 099276) .</p><p>Paratype. South Africa • 1 ♂ (damaged); with the same data as holotype (SAM A 19326) .</p><p>Description of adult male.</p><p>Body (Fig. 10 A) 2.3 times as long as greatest width, widest at pereonite 3; dorsal surfaces anteriorly with tubercules, sparsely setose. Cephalosome (Fig. 10 B) 0.8 times as long as wide; lateral margins narrowing posteriorly; posterior margin slightly concave; dorsal surface with numerous granules; dorsal sulcus wide, deep, extended; translucent region absent; para-ocular ornamentation weakly developed and with several tubercles and setae; posterior median tubercle present. Frontolateral processes present. Frontal margin slightly produced, median point even. External scissura present, narrow, shallow. Mediofrontal process present, weak, rounded, without ventral notch, with fine setae. Superior frontolateral process present, single, strong, conical, with 1 pair of long simple setae. Inferior frontolateral process absent. Mesioventral margin slightly curved; granulated; anterior tip not dorsally visible. Supraocular lobe pronounced, rounded; accessory supraocular lobe not pronounced. Eyes present, 0.3 times as long as cephalosome length, bulbous, standing out from head surface, ommatidia arranged in rows.</p><p>Pereon lateral margins narrowing posteriorly from pereonite 3, with few setae; anteriorly with numerous fine granules. Pereonite 1 partially fused dorsally with cephalosome; dorsolateral margins fully obscured by cephalosome. Pereonite 2 wider than pereonite 1. Pereonite 4 without anterior constriction, median groove absent. Areae laterales present on pereonite 5; dorsal sulcus obscured by pereonite 6. Pereonite 6 with weak lobi laterales; lobuii weak, conical. Pereonite 7 not visible in dorsal view. Pleon covered in pectinate scales and epimera not dorsally visible on all pleonites. Pleonite lateral margins with 2 pairs of simple setae, with 1 pair of simple setae medially.</p><p>Pleotelson (Fig. 10 E) 1.2 as long as anterior width; lateral margins smooth, anterolateral margins weakly concave; posterolateral margin straight, with 1 pair of submarginal setae; apex with 2 setae.</p><p>Antennula (Fig. 10 C) shorter than antenna. Peduncle article 1 without tubercles; article 2 1.4 as long as article 1; article 3 2.2 as long as article 2, 3.8 as long as wide. Flagellum with 5 articles, as long as article 3; article 3 with 1 aesthetasc and 1 simple seta; article 4 with 1 aesthetasc seta; article 5 terminating with 1 aesthetasc and 2 simple setae. Antenna (Fig. 10 D) peduncle with 4 articles; article 3 3.7 as long as wide, 2 as long as article 2, with 1 penicillate seta and 3 simple setae; article 4 1.1 as long as article 3, with 4 penicillate setae. Flagellum with 7 articles, as long as article 4, 1.1 as long as article 3, terminating with 4 simple setae.</p><p>Mandible (Figs 10 E, 13 B) crescent-shaped, strongly curved distally; apex 18.1 % total length; mandibular seta present. Carina present, smooth along proximal half. Incisor elevated, standing clear of surface, distal denticulation present. Blade present, straight, dentate along 82 % of margin. Dorsal lobe absent. Basal neck short. Erisma and lamina dentata absent.</p><p>Pylopod (Fig. 11 A) article 1 1.4 as long as wide, with three distinct areolae, without distolateral lobe; posterior and lateral margins forming rounded curve; lateral margin with 32 large plumose setae; mesial margin with continuous scale-setae; 4 surface simple setae present; distal margin with 8 simple setae; article 2 1.2 as long as wide, with 18 simple setae; article 3 (Fig. 11 B) minute, with 4 setae.</p><p>Maxilliped (Fig. 11 C) 5 - articled; article 1 lateral margin with continuous marginal scale-setae laterally; article 2 lateral margin with 5 plumose setae; article 3 lateral margin with 6 plumose setae; article 4 lateral margin with 5 plumose setae; article 5 with 8 plumose setae; endite extending to mid-margin of article 3.</p><p>Pereopods 2–6 (Fig. 12) randomly covered in pectinate scales; inferior margins with prominent tubercles. Pereopod 2 (Fig. 12 A) with tubercles on basis to carpus; basis 2.2 as long as greatest width, superior margin with 4 setae, inferior margin with 4 setae; ischium 0.7 as long as basis, 2.4 as long as wide, superior margin with 3 setae, inferior margin with 4 setae; merus 0.4 as long as ischium, 0.9 as long as wide, superior margin with 3 setae, inferior margin with 2 setae; carpus 0.4 as long as ischium, 1.1 as long as wide, superior margin with 1 seta, inferior margin with 2 setae; propodus 0.6 as long as ischium, 2.7 as long as wide, superior margin with 1 simple seta and 2 robust setae; dactylus (with unguis) 0.8 as long as propodus. Pereopods 3 (Fig. 12 B) and 4 (Figs 12 C, 13 E) mostly similar to pereopod 2; pereopod 5 (Fig. 12 D) similar to pereopod 6 (Fig. 12 E). Pereopod 6 with tubercles on merus and carpus and with tubercles on superior margin of basis; basis 3 as long as greatest width, superior margin with 6 simple setae, inferior margin with 6 setae; ischium 0.7 as long as basis, 2.8 as long as greatest width, superior margin with 4 setae, inferior margin with 8 setae; merus 0.5 as long as ischium, 1.8 as long as wide, superior margin with 2 setae, inferior margin with 3 setae, without dense patch of scale-setae; carpus 0.4 as long as ischium, 1.9 as long as wide, inferior margin with 1 seta; propodus 0.7 as long as ischium, 3.8 as long as wide, superior margin with 3 setae, and 2 robust setae; dactylus (with unguis) 0.5 as long as propodus.</p><p>Penes medially united.</p><p>Uropod rami extending beyond pleotelson apex, apices broadly rounded. Endopod 2.3 as long as greatest width, dorsally with 1 seta; lateral margin weakly sinuate, lateral margin with 3 simple setae; distomesial margin weakly convex, with 6 long plumose setae. Exopod extending to pleotelson apex, 4.3 as long as greatest width; lateral margin weakly sinuate, with 7 simple setae; distomesial margin convex, with 4 long plumose setae.</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>The name lancifera is derived from the Latin lancea, meaning “ spear ” or “ lance ”, and - fera (from ferre), meaning “ bearing ” or “ carrying ”. The name refers to the spear-like shape of the mandibles that resemble weapons borne by the gnathiid.</p><p>Remarks.</p><p>Gnathia lancifera sp. nov. can be recognised by the slightly produced frontal margin; a weakly rounded mediofrontal process; two strong, conical superior frontolateral processes; rounded and pronounced supraocular lobes; crescent-shaped mandibles that are strongly curved distally and dentate; and a pereonite 5 that is divided by a triangular pereonite 6.</p><p>As with G. spongicola and G. brevicula sp. nov., G. lancifera sp. nov. shares the uncommon feature of pereonite 5 being divided by pereonite 6. However, it can be distinguished by several key characteristics: it has significantly larger, crescent-shaped mandibles; a more prominently produced frontal margin; and relatively smaller eyes in proportion to the cephalosome. Additionally, the cephalosome of G. lancifera sp. nov. is densely covered with small tubercles, in contrast to the tubercle distribution in G. spongicola and G. brevicula sp. nov., where tubercles are mainly concentrated around the eyes and the posterior median region.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/250B898DDEE2529799A6DB31F930164B	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Pensoft via Plazi	Botha, Hesmarié;Smit, Nico J.;Erasmus, Anja;Hadfield, Kerry A.	Botha, Hesmarié, Smit, Nico J., Erasmus, Anja, Hadfield, Kerry A. (2025): A redescription and two new descriptions of gnathiid isopods (Isopoda, Gnathiidae) from South African museum collections (1898 – 1976). ZooKeys 1256: 115-140, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1256.162445
124A151FFEEC5AAA989564B024216D3C.text	124A151FFEEC5AAA989564B024216D3C.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Gnathia Leach 1814	<div><p>Genus Gnathia Leach, 1814, restricted synonymy</p><p>Gnathia Leach, 1814: 386–402; Monod 1926: 326–329 (part); Cohen and Poore 1994: 343–346.</p><p>Anceus Risso, 1816: 8.</p><p>Praniza Latreille, 1817: 54.</p><p>Zuphea Risso, 1826: 104.</p><p>Gnathia (Gnathia) s. s. — Monod 1926: 329 (part).</p><p>Gnathia (Perignathia) — Monod 1926: 554–555 (not Perignathia Monod, 1922).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/124A151FFEEC5AAA989564B024216D3C	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Pensoft via Plazi	Botha, Hesmarié;Smit, Nico J.;Erasmus, Anja;Hadfield, Kerry A.	Botha, Hesmarié, Smit, Nico J., Erasmus, Anja, Hadfield, Kerry A. (2025): A redescription and two new descriptions of gnathiid isopods (Isopoda, Gnathiidae) from South African museum collections (1898 – 1976). ZooKeys 1256: 115-140, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1256.162445
F21E103184CE578B98EDADBB201DA5A3.text	F21E103184CE578B98EDADBB201DA5A3.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Gnathia spongicola Barnard 1920	<div><p>Gnathia spongicola Barnard, 1920</p><p>Figs 2, 3, 4, 5</p><p>Gnathia spongicola Barnard, 1920: 332–334, pl. XV, fig. 9.</p><p>Material examined.</p><p>Lectotype [designated here]. South Africa • 1 ♂ (4.9 mm); <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=18.0281&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-33.0558" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 18.0281/lat -33.0558)">Table Mountain</a>; 33°3.348'S, 18°1.686'E; depth 347 m; 3 April 1902; SS Pieter Fauer; trawl; hexactinellid sponges (SAMC A 099274) .</p><p>Paralectotype. South Africa • 3 ♂♂ (4.4–4.5 mm); same data as lectotype (SAM A 4147) • 8 ♂♂ (3.9–5.6 mm); <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=18.2386&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-34.5719" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 18.2386/lat -34.5719)">Cape Point</a>; 34°34.314'S, 18°14.316'E; depth 247 m; 27 February 1902; SS Pieter Fauer; trawl; hexactinellid sponges (SAM A 4148) • 1 ♂ (damaged); offshore of Lion’s Head; depth 238 m; 28 May 1900; SS Pieter Fauer; dredge sampling; hexactinellid sponges (SAM A 4149) .</p><p>Other material. South Africa • 1 ♂ (damaged); <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=22.5167&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-35.3667" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 22.5167/lat -35.3667)">Still Bay</a>; 35°22.002'S, 22°31.002'E; depth 200 m; 20 June 1972; identified by Kensley (SAM A 14603) .</p><p>Redescription of adult male.</p><p>Body (Fig. 2 A) 2.5 times as long as greatest width, widest at pereonite 2 and pereonite 3; dorsal surfaces smooth, sparsely setose. Cephalosome (Figs 2 B, 5 A) 0.5 times as long as wide, lateral margins slightly concave anteriorly, posterior margin straight; dorsal surface with sparse granules, or tubercles around eyes; dorsal sulcus wide, deep, short; translucent region absent; para-ocular ornamentation with several tubercles and setae, posterior median tubercle present. Frontolateral processes present. Frontal margin slightly produced, median point excavated. External scissura present, narrow, shallow. Mediofrontal process present, weak, bifid, without ventral notch, with fine setae. Superior frontolateral process (Fig. 5 B) present, single, strong, equally apically bifid, with 8 pairs of long simple setae. Inferior frontolateral process absent. Mesioventral margin straight; setose; anterior tip not dorsally visible. Supraocular lobe pronounced, pointed, accessory supraocular lobe not pronounced. Eyes present, round, 0.4 times as long as cephalosome length, bulbous, standing out from head surface, ommatidia arranged in rows.</p><p>Pereon lateral margins narrowing posteriorly, without setae. Pereonite 1 not fused dorsally with cephalosome; dorsolateral margins fully obscured by cephalosome. Pereonite 2 wider than pereonite 1. Pereonite 4 without anterior constriction, median groove absent. Areae laterales present on pereonite 5; dorsal sulcus obscured by pereonite 6. Pereonite 6 with weak lobi laterales; lobuii weak, globular. Pereonite 7 short, narrow, and overlapping pleonite 1. Pleon covered in pectinate scales and epimera not dorsally visible on all pleonites. Pleonite lateral margins with 3 pairs of simple setae, with 1 pair of simple setae medially.</p><p>Pleotelson (Fig. 2 F) 1.1 times as long as anterior width, covered in pectinate scales; lateral margins smooth, anterolateral margins weakly concave, with 2 pairs of submarginal setae; posterolateral margin distally weakly concave, with 1 pair of submarginal setae; mid-dorsal surface with 1 pair of sub-median setae, apex with 2 setae.</p><p>Antennula (Fig. 2 C) shorter than antenna. Peduncle article 1 without tubercles, article 2 0.8 times as long as article 1; article 3 1.9 times as long as article 2; article 3 4 times as long as wide. Flagellum as long as article 3, with 5 articles; articles 3 and 4 with 1 aesthetasc, and 1 simple seta; article 5 terminating with 1 aesthetasc, and 4 simple setae. Antenna (Fig. 2 D) peduncle with 4 articles; article 3 3.4 times as long as wide, 2.2 times as long as article 2, with 1 penicillate seta, and 5 simple setae; article 4 0.8 times as long as article 3, with 2 penicillate setae, 2.9 times as long as wide, and with 10 simple setae. Flagellum 0.9 times as long as article 4, 0.8 times as long as article 3, with 7 articles, terminating with 5 simple setae.</p><p>Mandibl e (Fig. 2 E) 1.4 times as long as width, 0.7 times as long as length of cephalosome, triangular, strongly curved distally; apex 21.3 % total length; mandibular seta present. Carina present, smooth, along proximal half. Incisor elevated, standing clear of surface, distal denticulation present. Blade present, dentate, straight, along 78.7 % of margin. Internal lobe absent. Dorsal lobe absent. Basal neck short. Erisma and lamina dentata absent.</p><p>Pylopod (Fig. 3 A) article 1 1.6 times as long as wide, with two distinct areolae, without distolateral lobe, posterior and lateral margins forming rounded curve, lateral margin with 34 large plumose setae, mesial margin with continuous scale-setae, 5 simple setae present on the surface, distal margin with 13 simple setae; article 2 1.4 times as long as wide, with 25 simple setae; article 3 minute (Fig. 3 B) and fused to article 2, with 4 setae.</p><p>Maxilliped (Figs 3 C, 5 D) 5 - articled; article 1 lateral margin with continuous marginal scale-setae; article 2 lateral margin with 5 plumose setae; article 3 lateral margin with 6 plumose setae; article 4 lateral margin with 5 plumose setae; article 5 with 8 plumose setae and 4–6 simple setae; endite extending to mid-margin of article 3.</p><p>Pereopods 2–6 (Fig. 4 A – E) randomly covered in pectinate scales; propodus distal robust seta as long as proximal robust seta; inferior margins with prominent tubercles. Pereopod 2 (Fig. 4 A) with tubercles on inferior margin of ischium to carpus; basis 2.5 times as long as greatest width, superior margin with 6 setae, inferior margin with 15 setae; ischium 0.6 times as long as basis, 1.9 times as long as wide, superior margin with 4 setae, inferior margin with 8 setae; merus 0.4 times as long as ischium, 0.9 times as long as wide, superior margin with 3 setae and bulbous protrusion; inferior margin with 5 setae; carpus 0.6 times as long as ischium, twice as long as wide, superior margin with 1 seta, inferior margin with 3 setae; propodus 0.7 times as long as ischium, 2.6 times as long as wide, superior margin with 2 simple setae and 1 penicillate seta, inferior margin with 2 simple setae, 2 short setae, and 2 robust setae; dactylus (with unguis) 0.8 times as long as propodus. Pereopods 3 (Fig. 4 B) and 4 (Figs 4 C, 5 E) similar to pereopod 2; pereopod 5 (Fig. 4 D) similar to pereopod 6 (Fig. 4 E). Pereopod 6 with tubercles on basis to carpus; basis 3.2 times as long as greatest width, superior margin with 10 simple setae and 3 penicillate setae, inferior margin with 13 setae; ischium 0.7 times as long as basis, 2.8 times as long as greatest width, superior margin with 4 setae, inferior margin with 9 setae; merus 0.5 times as long as ischium, 1.8 times as long as wide, superior margin with 3 setae, inferior margin with 6 setae, without dense patch of scale-setae; carpus 0.4 times as long as ischium, 1.9 times as long as wide, superior margin with 1 seta, inferior margin with 4 setae; propodus 0.7 as long as ischium, 4.1 times as long as wide, superior margin with 8 setae, inferior margin with 1 simple seta, and 2 robust setae; dactylus (with unguis) 0.6 times as long as propodus.</p><p>Penial process (Fig. 5 F) 0.5 times as long as basal width, slightly produced lobe.</p><p>Pleopod 2 exopod (Fig. 2 G) 2.5 times as long as wide, distally narrowly rounded, medial margin weakly oblique, with 9 plumose setae; endopod 2.2 times as long as wide, distally broadly rounded, with 8 plumose setae; appendix masculina absent; peduncle 1.8 times as wide as long, mesial margin with 2 coupling setae, lateral margin with 1 simple seta.</p><p>Uropod (Fig. 2 G) rami extending beyond pleotelson, apices broadly rounded. Peduncle with 2 dorsal setae. Endopod 3.2 times as long as greatest width, dorsally with 5 setae; lateral margin straight, with 4 simple setae; distomesial margin sinuate, with 7 long plumose setae. Exopod not extending to end of endopod, 4.2 times as long as greatest width; lateral margin straight, 7 simple setae distolaterally; distomesial margin sinuate, with 4 long plumose setae.</p><p>Remarks.</p><p>Gnathia spongicola can be identified by several key morphological features: a slightly produced frontal margin; a weak and bifid mediofrontal process; single, strong superior frontolateral processes that are equally apically bifid; pointed and pronounced supraocular lobes; mandibles that are strongly curved distally with dentated blades; and a dorsal sulcus on pereonite 5 that is obscured by the overlapping pereonite 6.</p><p>Barnard (1920) did not designate a holotype in the original description of G. spongicola but provided detailed observations on the specimens examined. These syntypes are housed at the SAM, and one male specimen from this series has been designated as the lectotype and is herein redescribed. This lectotype designation is crucial to stabilise the taxonomic identity of G. spongicola, especially in relation to specimens previously labelled as G. spongicola or G. spongicola var. minor (see species descriptions below).</p><p>Among the six Gnathia species previously recorded from the Temperate Southern African (TSA) marine realm, G. spongicola most closely resembles Gnathia disjuncta Barnard, 1920, particularly in the division of pereonite 5 by a triangular pereonite 6. However, G. spongicola can be distinguished from G. disjuncta by its broader dorsal sulcus on the anterior cephalosome (narrow in G. disjuncta), the presence of 3–5 tubercles around the eye (compared to two large tubercles along the eye margin in G. disjuncta), and more bulbous eyes (less prominent in G. disjuncta). Since the original description of G. disjuncta in 1920, the taxonomic standards for gnathiid species description have become more refined, rendering the current description outdated. A redescription of G. disjuncta is therefore recommended. However, it is worth noting that the type material for G. disjuncta is currently missing from its vial (SAM A 4152) in the SAM collection (N. J. Smit personal observation).</p><p>Outside the TSA, the division of pereonite 5 by pereonite 6 is uncommon within males of the genus Gnathia . Gnathia arabica Schotte, 1995, which exhibits partial division of pereonite 5 by pereonite 6 and prominent spines and tubercles on the pereopods, most closely resembles G. spongicola . However, it can be distinguished by differences in mandible shape, extensive pitting on the cephalosome, and the presence of an appendix masculina on pleopod 2. Although from a different genus, Elaphognathia bifurcill (Holdich &amp; Harrison, 1980) also shows division of pereonite 5 by pereonite 6, indicating that this character is not exclusive to males of the genus Gnathia (Holdich and Harrison 1980) .</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/F21E103184CE578B98EDADBB201DA5A3	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Pensoft via Plazi	Botha, Hesmarié;Smit, Nico J.;Erasmus, Anja;Hadfield, Kerry A.	Botha, Hesmarié, Smit, Nico J., Erasmus, Anja, Hadfield, Kerry A. (2025): A redescription and two new descriptions of gnathiid isopods (Isopoda, Gnathiidae) from South African museum collections (1898 – 1976). ZooKeys 1256: 115-140, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1256.162445
