A NEW PHREATIC SPECIES OF THE GENUS PARVULOBATHYNELLA (MALACOSTRACA: BATHYNELLACEA) FROM SOUTHEASTERN INDIA, ALONG WITH AN UPDATED KEY TO THE SPECIES

Up until now, the genus Parvulobathynella Schminke, 1973, had eight species in the world. Of these, three species each are known from South America and Africa, and two from peninsular India. Parvulobathynella macrodentata n. sp. is described herein from the phreatic zone of southeastern India. Interestingly, the new species has striking mandibular affinity with the Brazilian Odontobathynella amazonica Delamare Deboutteville and Serban, 1979. So the mandibular criteria of Parvulobathynella are suitably amended to accommodate the new species and the interrelationships of Parvulobathynella and Odontobathynella, briefly discussed. The paper also provides an updated key to the world species of Parvulobathynella in addition to some ecological notes on the new species.