Maristella, a new bioluminescent ostracod genus in the Myodocopida (Cypridinidae)

One new species from Belize and six described species from Panama of bioluminescent ostracods (Myodocopida: Cypridinidae) are compared and placed in the new genus, Maristellagen. nov.. Maristella belongs to a diverse Caribbean clade of bioluminescent ostracods in which males perform species-specific luminescent courtship displays. Other genera of the clade include Enewton, Photeros, Konickeria and, nominally, Vargula.Maristella is likely the most species-rich genus in the clade. Maristella chicoi sp. nov., from Belize, is described as the type species. Species from Panama reassigned to Maristella are Vargula ignitula, V. lucidella, V. micamacula, V. noropsela, V. psammobia, V. scintilla. New information is presented on the sixth and eighth limbs of the species from Panama, providing additional characters for distinguishing taxa. Maristella is the only genus that contains species with lateral or diagonal luminescent courtship displays. Maristella chicoi has male displays oriented horizontal to the substrate and showing high levels of entrainment. The displays run in near-parallel bifurcations resulting in spectacular fan-like radiations of light pulse trains. The description of Maristella advances the taxonomy of the highly diverse Caribbean clade that has become a model system for studying the evolution of bioluminescence and the role of luminescent displays in speciation.