Niphargus hegmatanensis sp. nov. (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Niphargidae), a new species from subterranean freshwaters of western Iran

A new subterranean amphipod (N. hegmatanensis sp. nov.) belonging to the genus Niphargus Schiodte, 1849 is described and illustrated. It was collected from Boghati spring in Hamedan Province, Iran. Materials are examined based on the morphological and molecular analyses. Molecular data derived from the nuclear gene 28S rDNA recovered relationships new species. N. hegmatanensis sp. nov. is placed within Iranian Glade and phylogenetically has most similarity to N. alisadri. A relatively equal length of distal to proximal article in uropod III, equal size of rami in uropod I, trapezoid shape of propodi in both gnathopods and the short palpus that does not reach the tip of the outer lobe in maxilla I, are the major characteristics which serve to distinguish the new species from its congeners.