Gnathia jimmybuffetti

Gnathia jimmybuffetti
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Isopoda
Family: Gnathiidae
Genus: Gnathia
Species:
G. jimmybuffetti
Binomial name
Gnathia jimmybuffetti
Erasmus, Hadfield, Sikkel, and Smit, 2023

Gnathia jimmybuffetti is a species of isopod native to the Florida Keys.[1] It was described by a team of researchers from the University of Miami and North-West University in 2023.[2] This makes it the first new species of gnathiid to be discovered in Florida over the past 100 years.[3]

Etymology

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Gnathia jimmybuffetti is named after American singer Jimmy Buffett.[1][4] Isopods are a type of crustacean, a subphylum referenced in the title of Buffett's 1973 album A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean.

Description

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Gnathia jimmybuffetti measures roughly three-millimeters in length.[2] It possesses a slightly produced frontal margin, making it distinguishable from other species in the region.[3]

Ecology

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Diet

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Gnathia jimmybuffetti is a parasitic isopod that feeds on mostly fishes. It feeds mostly on french grunts, Haemulon flavolineatum, bluestriped grunt, and Haemulon sciurus.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Marine, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of; Atmospheric; Science, Earth. "Scientists discover new isopod species in the Florida Keys". phys.org. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  2. ^ a b "Scientists discover new isopod species in the Florida Keys". EurekAlert!. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  3. ^ a b c Erasmus, Anja; Hadfield, Kerry A; Sikkel, Paul C; Smit, Nico J (2023-07-01). "Morphological Description and Molecular Characterization of Gnathia Jimmybuffetti Sp. Nov. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Gnathiidae): the First New Gnathiid in 100 Years from the Floridian Ecoregion". Bulletin of Marine Science. 99 (3): 353–375. doi:10.5343/bms.2023.0040.
  4. ^ Herald, HOWARD COHEN Miami (2023-08-09). "Newly found sea creature named for music legend Buffett". The Independent Tribune. Retrieved 2023-09-03.