Two new species of Limnoriidae (Isopoda) from Papua New Guinea

Limnoria kautensis and Paralimnoria asterosa are two limnoriids new to science. They were found at a depth of 8-9 m in marine conditions burrowing in rainforest logs of timber species sufficiently dense to sink when lost during log-transporting operations. L. kautensis most closely resembles L. pfejferi, from which it can be distinguished by the absence of a Y-shaped carina on pleonite 5, the bilobed nature of the lacinia mobilis of the mandible and differences in the proportions of the maxilliped, flagellum of antenna 2 and uropods. Paralimnoria asterosa differs from the only other member of its genus, P. andrewsi, in having a pronounced ring of basally-sheathed radiating setae on pleonites 4 and 5 plus the pleotelson, and in details of the pattern of carinae, tubercles and depressions on the pleon and pleotelson.