A re-assessment of Hexapleomera Dudich, 1931 (Crustacea: Tanaidacea: Tanaidae), with designation of three new species

The tanaid genus Hexapleomera has long been considered to be monotypic, comprising a cosmopolitan species predominantly commensal on turtles, or, more rarely, manatees. Recent discovery of material of a distinct species of Hexapleomera living on the hulls of yachts in south-west England encouraged re-assessment of the literature on this taxon, and re-examination of free-living benthic material from the eastern Mediterranean. As a result, five species are recognized within the genus Hexapleomera; two new species are described, Pancoloides moverlyi is moved to Hexapleomera, and H. robusta sensu Edgar is elevated to specific rank and re-named.