Papuadocus blodiwai gen. nov., sp. nov. (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Maeridae), a new bathyal species associated with sunken wood in the Bismarck Sea (Papua New Guinea).

A new species belonging to a new genus of Maeridae, Papuadocus blodiwai gen. nov., sp. nov., is described from bathyal bottoms of the Bismarck Sea (Papua New Guinea). This genus/species can be distinguished from most other known maerids by right and left maxillas 1 with asymmetrical palps and by gnathopod 2 not sexually dimorphic. Its closest relative is the genus Bathyceradocus also characterized by asymmetrical maxillas 1, but differing by the presence of gill on coxae 7. These observations lead to the conclusion that the diagnosis of the family Maeridae has to be amended to receive both Bathyceradocus and Papuadocus genera. All the collected specimens lived in association with sunken wood, at 500-580 m depth.