ELTHUSA-SAMARISCII (SHIINO, 1951) (ISOPODA, CYMOTHOIDAE) PARASITIZINGSAMARIS-CRISTATUS GRAY, 1831, OFF THE KERALA COAST, INDIA

The cymothoid isopod Elthusa samariscii (Shiino, 1951) is redescribed from the crested flounder, Samaris cristatus Gray, 1831, off the Keral a coast, India. The narrowed pleonite 1 distinguishes E. samariscii fr om most other species of Elthusa. Additional distinguishing characters are the rounded anterior margin of the head, rounded pleotelson, shor t pereopodal dactylus (subequal in length to propodus), posterior pere opods without carina on basis and the uropod rami subequal in length, with bluntly rounded apices, not reaching the posterior margin of the pleotelson. Previously recorded from Japan, this is the first report o f this parasite from Indian waters.