Costacopluma nicksabani Klompmaker, Martin, Hyžný, Bowman, Phillips & Portell, 2025, n. sp.

Costacopluma nicksabani n. sp. (Figs 17; 18; Table 1; Appendices 1A-E; 3) urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 155CD778-8DA2-4484-ADD9-08427C6AE93F Costacopluma grayi – Feldmann et al. 2014: 137, pls 1-2.— Martínez-Díaz et al. 2016: figs 5.1-5.8, 6.4. TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype. United States • 1specimen; Alabama, Lowndes County, Mussel Creek roadcut (31°58’17”N, 86°42’15”W), ALMNH loc. 3; Clayton Formation, Pine Barren Member, lower middle NP2 nannofossil zone; Paleocene (lower Danian); ALMN-H: Paleo:21453 (carapace). Paratypes. United States • 1 specimen; same as for the holotype; ALMNH: Paleo:13539 (carapace) • 1specimen; idem; ALMNH: Paleo:21454 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; ALMNH: Paleo:21455 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; ALMNH: Paleo:21456 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; ALMNH: Paleo:21457 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; ALMNH: Paleo:21458 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; ALMNH: Paleo:21459 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; MMNS IP-7940.1 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 247378 (pair of propodi and dactyli). ETYMOLOGY. — In honor of the legendary American college football coach Nick Saban, who led the University of Alabama team from 2007-2023, winning six national and nine SEC championships with the Crimson Tide. Also, Nick’s Kids Foundation has made a tremendous societal impact in Alabama and beyond. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL EXAMINED. — United States • 13specimens; Alabama, Lowndes County, Mussel Creek roadcut (31°58’17”N, 86°42’15”W), ALMNH loc. 3; Clayton Formation, Pine Barren Member, lower middle NP2 nannofossil zone; Paleocene (lower Danian); ALMNH: Paleo:5918 (carapaces/venters) • 51 specimens; idem; ALMNH: Paleo:21497 (51 carapaces/venters) • 1 specimen; idem; ALMNH: Paleo:21498 (propodus) • 1 specimen; idem; ALMNH:Paleo:21499 (carapace with meri and partial carpi) • 1 specimen; idem; ALMNH: Paleo:21500 (merus) • 1 specimen; idem; ALMNH: Paleo:21501 (carapace) • 1specimen; idem; ALMN-H: Paleo:21502 (venter) • 1 specimen; idem; ALMNH: Paleo:21503 (merus) • 26 specimens; idem; ALMNH: Paleo:21504 (carapaces/ venters) • 1 specimen; idem; MMNS IP-6478 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; MMNS IP-6479 (carapace) • 1specimen; idem; MMNS IP-6480 (venter) • 1 specimen; idem; MMNS IP-6481 (carapace) • 13 specimens; idem; MMNS IP-7257 (carapaces, incl. carapace with base cheliped incl. merus) • 1 specimen; idem; MMNS IP-7268 (carapace) • 3 specimens; idem; MMNS IP-7296 (2 carapaces, 1 propodus) • 6 specimens; idem; MMNS IP-7940.2-7 (carapaces) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235556 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235557 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235558 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235559 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235560 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235562 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235563 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235564 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235565 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235566 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235567 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235568 (carapace) • 11 specimens; idem; UF 235569 (10 carapaces and 1 venter) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235570 (fixed finger) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235571 (propodus) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 235577 (carapace with propodus) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 247377 (cheliped propodus) • 1specimen; idem; UF 254039 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303795 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303796 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303797 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303798 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303799 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303800 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303802 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303803 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303804 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303805 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303806 (venter) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303807 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303808 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303809 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303810 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303811 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303813 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303814 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303816 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303817 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303818 (carapace) • 1 specimen; idem; UF 303820 (propodus) • 1specimen; idem; UF 303821 (cheliped). TYPE HORIZON. — Pine Barren Member of the Clayton Formation, lower middle NP2 nannofossil zone, lower Danian. TYPE LOCALITY. — ALMNH loc.3: Mussel Creek roadcut (31°58’17”N, 86°42’15”W), Lowndes County, Alabama, United States. DIAGNOSIS. — Carapace relatively small (usually <15 mm maximum width), subrectangular, wider than long (l/w ratio c. 0.89), widest point posterior to mid-length. Fronto-orbital margin c. 70% of maximum width; lateral margins somewhat diverging posteriorly, fairly straight, but more convex anteriorly; posterior margin straight. Rostrum bilobed, inclined downward, slightly longer than wide, minimum width in dorsal view c. 8% of maximum carapace width. Outer orbital spine small, triangular, directed forward, about as short as spine on lower orbital margin. Dorsal carapace containing three tubercular transverse ridges of intermediate width on average, with rounded tops; anterior ridge sinuous, uninterrupted, diminishes toward but reaches lateral margins. Cardiac region raised, tubercular, with convex and flattened ridge anteriorly and raised extension axially directed posteriorly. Gentle swellings with tubercles just anterior to innermost part of posterolateral margins. Pleon of male narrow, widening somewhat to posterior; with transverse ridges on somites 3-6; telson and sternite 6 unfused; somites 3-5 fused but with sutures visible. Pleon of female with transverse ridges on somites 2-5; all somites and telson unfused; somites 1-5 much wider than long; somite 6 wider than long; telson triangular with rounded tip. MEASUREMENTS. — See Table 1. DESCRIPTION Carapace relatively small (usually <15 mm maximum width), subrectangular, wider than long (l/w ratio c. 0.89), widest point posterior to mid-length, weakly vaulted transversely, moderately vaulted longitudinally. Margins rimmed with granules. Fronto-orbital margin c. 70% of maximum width, sinuous; lateral margins somewhat diverging posteriorly, fairly straight, but more convex anteriorly; posterolateral margin slightly concave; posterior margin straight. Rostrum bilobed, inclined downward, slightly longer than wide, minimum width in dorsal view c. 8% of maximum carapace width, narrowest point about halfway rostrum, with two lobes distally carrying tubercles, tip concave in dorsal view, lateral margins rimmed and with row of granules. Orbital margin rimmed with tubercles; upper orbital margin somewhat thicker than lateral and lower orbital margins; lower orbital margin with forwardly-directed spine; outer orbital spine small, triangular, directed forward, about as short as spine on lower orbital margin. Orbital cavity subovate but with angle at outer orbital spine, faint ridge of granules dividing outer and inner parts. Eyestalks elongated. Epigastric regions consisting of small, gentle swellings. Dorsal carapace containing three tubercular transverse ridges of intermediate width on average, with rounded tops; anterior ridge sinuous, uninterrupted, diminishes toward but reaches lateral margins; median ridges directed anterolaterally, straight, not connecting axially, reaching lateral margins; posterior ridges directed posterolaterally, not connecting axially, reaching posterolateral margins, curving more laterally in outermost part. Posterior part of mesogastric region raised, tubercular, connecting with anterior ridge where it narrows, with two posterior gastric pits near base. Cardiac region raised, tubercular, with convex and flattened ridge anteriorly and raised extension axially directed posteriorly. Gentle swellings with tubercles just anterior to innermost part of posterolateral margins. Other carapace regions not discernible. Dorsal carapace grooves absent except for short groove lateral to posterior part of mesogastric region ending in ovals pits anteriorly. Cuticular surface of dorsal carapace regions between ridges, in front of anterior ridge, and posterior to cardiac region pitted. Flanks straight; about a quarter in height of maximum carapace width; with groove starting at lateral margin, resulting sometimes in a weak notch, near position where anterior ridge connects to lateral margin; groove curving forward and becoming deeper near base of flank; flank tubercular in posterior part, mostly smooth in anterior third but with some tubercles in anteriormost part. Pterygostome subtriangular and with posterior extension, with rim posteriorly and inward margin, mostly smooth. Buccal area with pit axially. Maxillipeds not preserved. Sternum suboval, widest at 5 th sternite. Sternites 1 and 2 fused, separated by groove, triangular jointly; sternite 1 triangular with sharp tip, with tubercles; sternite 2 much wider than long, with short axial groove, with tubercles, widening toward sternite 3. Sternite 3 fused to sternite 4 but marked by transverse groove, with two lobes on posterior margin on either side of tip of sternopleonal cavity for males but with deep depression axially for females, straight anteriorly, tubercular. Sternite 4 trapezoidal, tubercular, not flattened but concave, widening more laterally; with small anterolaterally oriented projection in anterolateral corner, about straight on anterior side for females and males, not extending much if anything beyond sternite 3. Sternites 5-7 with transverse, tubercular ridge widening inward. Sternites 4-6 with long episternal projections pointing posteriorly, episternal projection not preserved for sternite 7. Sternite 8 poorly preserved. Sternopleonal cavity of male deep, narrow, smooth, with sutures of 4/5, 5/6, and 6/7 extending to base of cavity but not connecting, suture 7/8 partially preserved, axial slit at level of sternite 7; sternopleonal cavity extends to upper part of sternite 4 and marked by clear rim at tip, small press button on sternite 5 on upper part of slope