Thymopsis nilenta

Holthuis, 1974

Diagnosis:
Second and third maxillipeds without exopods. Pleura of second abdominal somite wide and overlapping both the pleura of the first and third somites. Lower margin of rostrum with teeth.

Type:
Type locality: "Eltanin" 22 Station 1555, " S. of South Georgia 60°04'5-60°08'S, 35°59'W-36°04'W, 1976-2068 m". Holotype female in USNM, no. 141257; paratypes in USNM, RMNH.

Geographical Distribution:
Southern Atlantic. So far only known from two localities: southeast of the Falkland/Malvinas Islands (55°01 '-55°10'S 39°55' - 39°46'W) and south of South Georgia (60°04' - 60°08'S 35°59' - 36°04'W).

Habitat and Biology:
Deep sea between (1976-) 2068 and 2886 (-3040) m.

Size:
Total body length about 15 cm, carapace length (without rostrum) 5 to 6 cm.

Interest to Fisheries:
None so far. Until now only 4 specimens have been collected of this species. Its scarcity and the very great depths at which it is found, make it an unlikely candidate for a fishery, notwithstanding its relatively good size.

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