Latigammaropsis photisimilis

Latigammaropsis photisimilis (Ruffo, 1969) (Figs. 1B, 4–5) Material examined. 4 males, 4.0–5.0 mm (LFSC.ZRC-223), Veraval (20°54'35"N 70°21'09"E), 16 January 2024, coll. D.R. Thacker. Distribution and habitat. Gariimaropsis photisimilis Ruffo, 1969 was so far only known from Cundabilu Island, Red Sea. Here in this study, we have reported this species from Veraval, Gujarat, India. It was found beneath the rubbles on intertidal region of the coast. Description. Based on male, 4.5 mm. Head. Head lateral cephalic lobes extended, anteroventral margin strongly recessed. Eyes large, rounded, situated entirely in cephalic lobes. Antenna 1 longer than antenna 2, peduncular article 2 1.3 x as long as article 1; article 3 0.7 x as long as article 1; accessory flagellum with 3 long and 1 rudimentary article. Antenna 2 peduncular article 5 1.1 x as long as article 4. Maxilla 1 inner plate with 7 long setae; outer plate with 9 apical dentate setae; palp 2 articulated. Maxilla 2 outer plate apically setose; inner plate half apical margin and entire lateral margin setose, oblique setal row present. Maxilliped inner plate with apical and inner margin setose; outer plate with 3 long plumose setae and several robust setae; palp 4 articulate; article 4 with 1strong apical claw. Labium inner lobes distinct. Pereon. Gnathopod 1 coxa subrectangular with anteroventral margin moderately developed; basis narrower proximally, 1 long setae on posterior margin, ischium small, subrectangular; carpus 0.8 x as long as propodus, anterior margin with 1 long setae, anteroventral corner with 1 tuft of 2 setae, posterior margin densely setose; propodus anterior margin with 3 tufts of setae, posterior margin with 2 tufts of setae; palm transverse; dactylus as long as palm. Gnathopod 2 coxa rectangular, broader than long; basis 0.6 x as long as propodus; carpus reduced, cup-shaped; propodus large, subrectangular, 1.8 x as long as broad, palm with distal deep U-shaped excavation. Pereopod 3 basis 3 x as long as broad; merus 0.46 x as long as basis; merus 0.58 x as long as propodus; dactylus 0.4 x as long as propodus. Pereopod 4 almost similar to pereopod 3. Pereopod 5 coxa longer than broad; basis somewhat oval with a triangular excavation on the posterodistal corner; merus 1.2 x as long as carpus; propodus 2.2 x as long as carpus, posterior margin with 3 long robust setae, anterior margin with 1 single seta, dactylus 0.32 x as long as propodus. Pleon. Uropod 1 peduncle as long as inner ramus, inter-ramus spur 0.8 x as long as outer ramus; rami unequal; inner ramus 1.18 x as long as outer ramus. Uropod 2 peduncle subequal to inner ramus; inner ramus 0.86 x as long as outer ramus. Uropod 3 peduncle 1.37 x as long as outer ramus; outer ramus stouter and 1.4 x as long as inner ramus, with 5 distal robust setae; inner ramus narrows distally with 1 distal seta. Telson subtriangular, rounded proximal margin, apically pointed with 1 robust seta and 3 simple setae on both sides. Remarks. The specimen examined here agrees with the descriptions and illustrations of L. photisimilis given by Ruffo (1969).