Freilanduntersuchungen zur Lebensweise von Pyroleptomysis rubra, einer neuen bentho-pelagischen Mysidacee aus dem Mittelmeer und dem Roten Meer

Pyroleptomysis rubra is described as a new genus and species of the tribe Leptomysini. Its most prominent distinction from the well established genus Leptomysis is the complete absence of sympod and exopod of the first pleopod of the male. It is suggested that Leptomysis peresi Bacescu, 1966, is to be placed into the new genus. P. rubra breeds throughout the year in the Gulf of Naples, but stops breeding in winter in the North Adriatic. It lives in swarms mainly over rocky substrate in 3 to 25 m depth. The swarms disperse following sunset and reaggregate at sunrise. The animals are unspecialized bentho-pelagic filter feeders with transition to epibenthic detritus feeders.