AMPELISCA ABDITA, A NEW AMPHIPOD CRUSTACEAN FROM EASTERN NORTH AMERICA

Abstract

Ampelisca abdita is described. It occurs in coastal waters of eastern North America north to central Maine. A. abdita is almost indistinguishable from A. vadorum but differs in substratum preferences and in size at reproduction. Although the same lines of allometric growth apply to both species, developmental rates of setation of some parts are out of synchrony. A. abdita and A. vadorum are closest in morphology to the eastern Atlantic species A. rubella and A. serraticaudata. Morphological relations with other species are discussed.