A relic amphipod of the Tethys, Sarothrogammarusyiiruae sp. nov., is described from Xinjiang, China. The new species is characterized by the absence of eyes; having the palm of the propodus without a mid-palmar spine on gnathopods I-II; a weakly concave coxal plate IV; narrow bases of pereopods V-VII; a peduncle of uropod I without a basofacial spine; uropod III longer than uropods I-II, a scale-like inner ramus, and a biarticulate outer ramus with distinct second article. Detailed morphological comparisons with related species are discussed. Genetic distances of the new and related species are provided as proof of species identification.
Keywords: Tethys; genetic distance; sarothrogammarid amphipods; taxonomy.