Table 2. Comparison of geographical distribution and characters distinguishing Nipponomysis neolingvura sp. nov. and similar species of the genus Nipponnomysis

Characteristic	Nipponomysis fusca (Ii, 1936)1)	Nipponomysis sandoi (Ii, 1964)2)	Nipponomysis lingvura (Murano, 1977)3)	Nipponomysis calcarata (Takahashi & Murano, 1986)4)	Nipponomysis neolingvura sp. nov5)
Rostral plate	Sharply pointed	Widely triangular	Widely triangular	Widely triangular	Widely triangular
4th male pleopod: relative length of 2nd and 3rd segments	Equal	2nd slightly longer than 3rd	Equal	2nd slightly shorter than 3rd	2nd slightly longer than 3rd
4th male pleopod: ratio of 1st segment of exopod to endopod	1.7 : 1	3.2 : 1	1.5 : 1	2.7 : 1	1.9 : 1
Seta at distal end of 1st segment of 4th male pleopodal exopod	Extends beyond distal end of 2nd segment	Very short, not reaching distal end of 2nd segment	Very short, not reaching distal end of 2nd segment	Very short, not reaching distal end of 2nd segment	Extends beyond distal end of 2nd segment
Spines arrangement of telson	With spines along all lateral margins; large spines near apex suddenly increase in size	With spines along all lateral margins; large spines near apex suddenly increase in size	No spines near middle of lateral margins; large spines near apex gradually increase in size	With spines along all lateral margins; large spines near apex suddenly increase in size	With spines along all lateral margins; large spines near apex gradually increase in size
Number of spines near statocyst of uropod	8 or 9	9	16–22	7–9	17
Telson length to its basal width (spines not included)	1.6 : 1	1.6 : 1	1.8 : 1	1.6 : 1	1.6 : 1
Geographical distribution	Japan, Korea	Japan	Japan	Japan	Korea

All comparisons were based on figures or descriptions from previous literatures.
Ii (1936, 1964), Takahashi & Murano (1986).
Takahashi & Murano (1986).
Murano (1977).
Takahashi & Murano (1986).
the present study.