Glyptogidiella omanica gen. et sp. nov., an inland groundwater bogidiellid from Oman with enlarged coxal plate V (Crustacea, Amphipoda)

A new genus and species of Amphipoda is reported from inland ground waters of the Sultanate of Oman. Although Glyptogidiella omanica gen. et sp. nov. exhibits several features typical of the Bogidiellidae (i. e. combined display of distinct carpal lobe on first gnathopod, reduced pleopodal rami, and unsegmented exopodite of third uropod), its exceptionally large fifth coxal plate and short rami of third uropod do not fit in the restricted diagnosis of the family as recently presented elsewhere. In fact, the enlarged coxal plate V is a feature not reported in any other amphipod, whereas no other bogidiellid displays an expanded basis on pereopod VII. The habitus of Glyptogidiella is not typical for a dweller of a true interstitial niche, with its short antennae, large coxal plate and short and stubby rami on the third uropod. This suggests that the interstitial medium could not be the primary habitat for the species, and that the underground of wadis might contain interstices of large size and could also be in contact with karstic hollows.