Photeros mcelroyi
Photeros mcelroyi is a bioluminescent species of cypridinid ostracod found in Discovery Bay, Jamaica. At night, male P. mcelroyi ostracodes produce an elaborate species-specific display in order to attract females. These displays occur as a series of rapid flashes in an upward direction, over isolated coral patches in the east fore-reef.
Male
Valve shape: Oval, PostD margin sloped, as much or more than AntD margin, males with low rather pointed projecting keel extending almost to mid height of valve.
*Valve size: Moderate size for genus, male L = 1.78-1.92 mm [1.85 ± 0.04, N = 8], Ht=5 1.10- 1.20 mm [1.16 ± 0.03, N = 8], L:Ht = 1.55-1.73 [1.60 ± 0.06, N = 8].
Infold: *Rostral row with 10-15 setae plus 0 Ant and 1 seta Post to row; AntV row with 20- 23 [1 or 2 along incisur, 3 males] setae plus 0 setae Ant and 0 (possibly 9 in 1 valve of 1 specimen) Post to row; LT V infold with 2-3 and PostV infold with 1 or 2 setae (N = 4).
Male light organ: L [lol] = 0.32-0.40 mm [0.35 ± 0.03, N = 8], width [low] 0.14-0.22 mm [0.17 ± 0.04, N=8].
Upper lip: *Paired lateral field near mouth with about 50 nozzles (1 male).
First antenna: Total small suckers on b- and c-setae = 16-21 [includes 3-5 on proximal c-seta, N = 3].
Second antenna: 4-7 tooth-like spines on seta of 2nd exopodial article [5.4 ± 0.9, N = 4].
Mandible: *No D setae of 2nd article extend to 3rd article, distal V Sclerotized Finger more slender than in males of other species; terminal article with moderately and evenly curved claws, D claw distinctly shorter than V claws, VMed claw about 136-152% (144 ± 6%, N = 4) L that of D claw; tip of d-seta unlike that of b- and c-setae, attenuated to pointed thread-like tip with subterminal papilla; d-seta L about 85-87% that of D claw [N = 4]; c-seta extends to about 43-44% L that of VMed claw) [N = 2].
First maxilla (fourth limb): *1st article with only 1 - and 2 ß-setae. 2nd article: a-setae all with thread- like tips; L of d1-seta = 75-82% that of d3-seta; b3-seta ringed, less claw-like; number of setal and claw teeth.
Second maxilla (fifth limb): L of posterior-most seta of endite III about 2.3-2.6 3 x L of smallest seta (*2nd Post seta = unringed, distally pectinate, without proximal long hairs; N = 3]; inner corner of 5th article with group of small spines [N = 4].
Male eighth (copulatory) limb:
Outer lobe: *hood with medium-sized stout, rather rounded, or triangular lobe-like central peak, and thin weak rather rounded or triangular flap-like tip; 3 (1 limb of 1 specimen with 2, N = 4 specimens) ringed, bare thumb setae at base of hood next to prominent long stout thumb-like sclerotized thumb; 2 more proximal ringed, bare setae.
*Inner lobe: distal cleft area with small bare triangular tooth [on finger branch] and much, much longer, curved bare claw [on setal branch, claw = about 1.9-2.3% that of valve L] 6-8 ringed, bare setae.
Central lobe: stout, Post, with 3 stout slightly ringed, spinous setae.
*=diagnostic character
Moderate size for genus, male L = 1.78-1.92 mm [1.85 ± 0.04, N = 8], Ht=5 1.10- 1.20 mm [1.16 ± 0.03, N = 8], L:Ht = 1.55-1.73 [1.60 ± 0.06, N = 8].