A new species of Euryrhynchus position of the Euryrhynchidae Miers, with a discussion of the systematic Holthuis (Crustacea, Decapoda)

A new species of the South American freshwater genus Euryrhynchus, E. tomasi sp. nov., is described on the basis of two specimens from French Guyana. The new species differs from all its congeners by the presence of two disto-lateral spines on the merus of the second pereiopod, combined with the absence of any carpal spines. The recent elevation of the euryrhynchids to family status is supported, whilst a discussion is presented of their systematic position and affinities, emphasising the remote systematic affinity with the Typhlocarididae, previously assumed to be closely related. An appraisal of the systernatically important characters in the Euryrhynchidae highlights the need for a reappraisal of the caridean superfamily Palaemonoidea. (c) 2007 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.