Abstract
Two new Erythropinae mysids, Pseudomma bellingshausensis and P. melandi are described from specimens sampled with a suprabenthic sled in the Bellingshausen Sea (Southern Ocean). P. bellingshausensis and P. melandi are distinguishable from its closestcongeners, P. antarcticum Zimmer, 1914, P. jasi Meland & Brattegard, 1995 and P islandicum Meland & Brattegard, 2007 by ocular plate sculpturing and telson armature. A key for the Antarctic and Subantarctic Pseudomma species is also included. Despite their high abundance in most of the marine benthic systems of the Southern Ocean, mysids are not frequently reported in studies on benthos assemblages due to inadequate sampling methodology. These swimming crustaceans often escape traditional benthos samplers because they concentrate near the bottom; therefore, a more representative sampling of mysid diversity is certainly obtained when samplings are carried out close to the sea floor. Samples collected with new types of epi- and suprabenthic sledges confirm the efficiency of such gear and their usefulness for better catching Antarctic mysid species (San Vicente 2010).
NSTL