Meeting Abstract
Tanaidaceans are a poorly known group of small (averaging 2–5 mm in length) peracarid crustaceans. Most of the 1000+ species live at depths exceeding 200 m, and, in some deepwater environments, Tanaidacea are the most diverse and abundant members of the fauna present.There are currently 46 species known to occur in deep waters (>200m) in the Gulf of Mexico. The present study adds an additional four species, bringing the total to 50 species. The tanaidaceans studied here came from an environmental baseline survey. One new genus is erected and four new species of paratanaoidean tanaidaceans are described from deep waters in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico: one in the genus Collettea, one in Tanaella, one in Pseudomacrinella, and one as a new genus in the family Anarthruridae. Keys to species in the genera Collettea, Tanaella, and the genera of the Anarthruridae will be provided.
