A new species of Peltidium Philippi, 1839 (Crustacea,Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from the Pacific coast of Mexico

During the analysis of phytal meiobenthic samples collected from a rocky-sandy beach in the state of Nayarit, in the Mexican Pacific, several specimens of harpacticoid copepods were obtained and taxonomically examined. These specimens were found to represent an undescribed species of the peltidiid genus Peltidium Philippi, 1839. The new species, Peltidium nayarit sp. n. is described herein. It resembles Peltidium nichollsi Geddes and Peltidium lerneri Geddes from Bahamas but also the widespread Peltidium speciosum Thompson & Scott and Peltidium purpureum Philippi. The new species from the Mexican Pacific differs from its known congeners by its possession of a unique combination of characters, including a modified pectinate seta on the antennary exopod, three terminal setae on the second endopodal segment of leg 1, third exopodal segment of leg 1 with three elements, inner terminal claw twice as long as outer claw, female fifth leg with 5 exopodal setae, exopodal setae I-III stout, spinulose and seta IV being as long as seta V. This is the second species of the family known to be distributed in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and in Mexico. Pending additional data, the distribution of this species appears to be restricted to this area of the Mexican Pacific.     

A revision of the genus Monstrillopsis Sars (Crustacea: Copepoda: Monstrilloida) with description of a new species from Chile

In the course of a comparative analysis of the species included in the copepod genus Monstrillopsis Sars, a new species of the genus was discovered. The new species, Monstrillopsis chilensis n. sp., was found in a plankton sample collected in coastal waters off central Chile in the Southeastern Pacific. The adult female is similar to females of the type species M. dubia Scott and related forms but differs from its congeners by a combination of characters including: (1) a pair of small cephalic processes present between bases of antennules; (2) deep corrugations present on proximo-lateral surface of fifth pedigerous somite; (3) exopodal lobe of fifth leg not distally elongated; and (4) endopodal lobe of fifth legs short. This is the first record of the genus in the Southeastern Pacific and the second record of any monstrilloid in Chile. A comparative analysis of the species assigned to Monstrillopsis allowed a clarification of the generic characters and limits. The most important apomorphic characters in the genus are the presence of four caudal setae and modifications of the male antennule; other potentially useful characters are the pattern of antennule segmentation and the uniform presence of a reduced inner lobe of the fifth leg. The female of Monstrilla reticulata Davis should be retained in Monstrilla, but the purportedly conspecific male is probably a Monstrillopsis. Monstrillopsis ciqroi Suárez-Morales and M. angustipes Isaac should be transferred to Monstrilla. Haemocera filogranarum Malaquin is probably a species of Monstrillopsis. Monstrillopsis zernowi is tentatively retained in this genus as an aberrant form. A key for the identification of the species of this genus is included.     

A new Stygonitocrella Petkovski (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from a cave in Northern Mexico with comments on the taxonomy of the genus

The cave-dwelling harpacticoid copepod fauna of Mexico is still yet to be known. There are only a few records related to karstic caves, but most refer to epigean forms. The analysis of samples collected in a cave system in Northern Mexico yielded two female specimens of an unknown harpacticoid copepod species which is described herein. It was assigned to the genus Stygonitocrella Petkovski, 1976 mainly because of the presence of a single endopodal segment on legs 1–4; the new species, S. mexicana n. sp. differs from its congeners by a combination of characters related to the segmentation and armature of the swimming legs 1–4, the fifth leg of the female, and the strcture of the antennae. Based on the current limits of Stygonitocrella, two new subgenera are proposed to recognize different morphological patterns based on the presence or absence of an inner baseoendopodal lobe in the female fifth leg, a character not evaluated before. This lobe is absent in the new species and in other five species now contained in the subgenus Eustygonitocrella. A lobe is present in the new subgenus Fiersiella, also with six species. This is the second record of Stygonitocrella in North America, after S. (Fiersiella) sequoyahi Reid, Hunt & Stanley, 2003; it is the only North American cave-dwelling species of the genus. It is suggested that the influence of marine transgressions in Northern Mexico was related to the origin of the new species as part of a group of troglobitic forms originated from marine interstitial ancestors that colonized the freshwater caves. A key for the identification of all the known species of Stygonitocrellais also provided.     

A new marine cyclopoid copepod of the genus Neocyclops (Cyclopidae,Halicyclopinae) from Korea

A new cyclopoid species of the genus Neocyclops Gurney, 1927 is described. Type specimens were collected from a beach on south-western coast of the Korean Peninsula by rinsing intertidal coarse sandy sediments. Neocyclops hoonsooi sp. n. is most characteristic in showing the conspicuous chitinized transverse ridges originating from the medial margins of the coxae of all swimming legs. The new species is most similar to Neocyclops vicinus, described from the Brazilian coast, and Neocyclops petkovskii, from Australia. All three species share a large body size (more than 750 µm long), the presence of an exopodal seta on the antenna, two setae on the mandibular palp, the same seta/spine armature on the third endopodal segment of leg 3 (3 setae + 3 spines), and the fairly long inner distal spine on the third endopodal segment of the female leg 4. However, Neocyclops hoonsooi sp. n. differs from both species by the much shorter caudal rami (less than 1.7 times as long as wide) and the shorter dorsal caudal seta VII. Furthermore, Neocyclops hoonsooi is clearly distinguished from Neocyclops vicinus by the 10-segmented antennule (vs 12 segments in Neocyclops vicinus), and from Neocyclops petkovskii by the elongate inner distal spine on leg 5 exopod and the 3-segmented leg 5 in male (vs 4-segmented in Neocyclops petkovskii). A tabular comparison of characters separating Neocyclops hoonsooi from its closest allies and a key to Neocyclops species from the Indo-Pacific Ocean are provided. This is the first record of the genus Neocyclops from the northern Pacific.     

Oncaea frosti,a new species (Copepoda: Poecilostomatoida) from the Liberian coast and the Gulf of Mexico

A new species, Oncaea frosti, is described and compared to O. venusta Philippi and O. venella Farran. The three species are closely related and difficult to distinguish, except for the differences in size of females and males and dorsal dilation of pediger 2 of females of O. frosti.     

A new genus of Cletopsyllidae (Copepoda,Harpacticoida) from Gulf of Mexico

A new genus and new species of the family Cletopsyllidae Huys & Willems, 1989 from deep-sea sediment in the Gulf of Mexico, are reported and fully described and illustrated. The new genus Pentacletopsyllus (type species: P. montagnisp. n.) can be distinguished from the four known genera of the family by antennule segmentation, length ratio of first and second endopodal segments of P1, and armature pattern on P5 exopod. It also differs from its sister genera by the rostrum being bifid at the tip, third segment of the female antennule having a smooth posterior margin, the baseoendopod of P5 with biarticulate outer setophore bearing basal seta, and female caudal rami without lobate expansion. A revised key to species of the family Cletopsyllidae Huys & Willems, 1989 is provided.     

A new genus and two new species of Canthocamptidae (Copepoda,Harpacticoida) from caves in northern Italy

Lessinocamptus n. gen. is established toaccomodate three species from northern Italian caves.It can be ascribed to the family Canthocamptidae Sars1906 and is distinguished from the other genera by thecombined characters of: antenna exopod 1-segmented andbearing 3 setae (or 1 seta and 1 spine); mandibularpalp 2-segmented with distal article bearing 5 setae;swimming legs exopods 3-segmented; setal formula ofexopods: P1 0.0.022; P2 0.1.112; P3 0.1.212; P4 0.1.212; P1endopod 2-segmented; P2 endopod 1- or2-segmented; female P3 endopod 1- or 2-segmented, maleP3 endopod 3-segmented and modified as usual inCanthocamptinae; male P5 baseoendopod with 2 spinesand exopod with 3 spiniform setae. Three species aredescribed in detail: L. caoduroi n.sp. from thevadose zone of Lessinian caves, L. insoletus(Chappuis 1928) and L. pivai n.sp. from caveBuso della Rana near Vicenza.     

A new species of Metacyclops Kiefer, 1927 (Copepoda,Cyclopidae, Cyclopinae) from the Chihuahuan desert,northern Mexico

A new species of the freshwater cyclopoid copepod genus Metacyclops Kiefer, 1927 is described from a single pond in northern Mexico, within the binational area known as the Chihuahuan Desert. This species belongs to a group of Metacyclops species with a 3443 spine formula of swimming legs. It is morphologically similar to Metacyclops lusitanus Lindberg, 1961 but differs from this and other congeners by having a unique combination of characters, including a caudal rami length/width proportion of 3.5–3.8, a innermost terminal seta slightly longer than the outermost terminal seta, intercoxal sclerites of legs 1-4 naked, a strong apical spine of the second endopodal segment of leg 1 and one row of 6-8 small spinules at the insertion of this spine. The finding of this species represents also the first record of the genus in Mexico and the third in North America, where only two other species, Metacyclops gracilis (Lilljeborg, 1853)and Metacyclops cushae Reid, 1991 have been hitherto reported. This is also the first continental record of a species of Metacyclops from an arid environment in the Americas. This species appears to be endemic to the Chihuahuan Desert, thus emphasizing the high endemicity of this area.     

A new genus, a new species, and a new record of the family Darcythompsoniidae Lang, 1936 (Gopepoda, Harpacticoida) from the Gulf of California, Mexico

A new genus and new species of the family Darcythompsoniidae Lang (1936), and a new record of Darcythompsonia fairliensis (T. Scott, 1899), from a coastal lagoon in the south-eastern Gulf of California (Mexico), are reported and fully described and illustrated. Pabellonia olganoguerae gen. no v., sp.nov. shares features with Darcythompsonia T. Scott, 1906, such as the presence of a dimorphic second endopodal segment of the male second swimming leg, and with Kristensenia Por, 1983, the lack of sexual dimorphism in the caudal rami, anal operculum and urosomites. Thus it is considered closely related to these genera, and to represent a third component of mis lineage. Some notes on the biogeography of Darcythompsonia T. Scott, 1906, are also presented.     

Pindamoraria boraceiae, a new genus and species of freshwater Canthocamptidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from Brazil

Members of a new genus and species of harpacticoid copepod crustacean appeared in samples from semi-terrestrial (moist arboreal mosses, wet soil) and aquatic (bromeliad tanks, Sphagnum moss, rock pools, stream) habitats in a remnant of the Atlantic Forest in south-eastern Brazil. The new taxon, for which we propose the name Pindamoraria boraceiae sp. nov. , is distinguished by a unique combination of characters, in particular the segmentation and setation pattern of legs 1–4 in both sexes, the structure of leg 5 in the female, and the strongly modified claw of the maxilliped in the male. It most resembles the canthocamptid genera Moraria , Pseudomoraria , Morariopsis and Paramorariopsis . Both previous records of species of Moraria from South America refer to members of Antarctobiotus , which is not considered a member of the Moraria group: Moraria (Kuehneltiella) neotropica Löffler has previously been transferred to Antarctobiotus ; and we propose herein the transfer of Moraria kummeroworum Ebert & Noodt to Antarctobiotus as well. In the New World, the genus Moraria extends only as far south as Honduras; and Pseudomoraria , Morariopsis and Paramorariopsis are Old World genera. The new species from Brazil is therefore the only member of the Moraria group known from South America.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 139, 81–92.     

A new genus and species of Metopiinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from Mexico

A new genus of Metopiinae, Ojuelos Khalaim, gen. n., with a single species, Ojuelos juachicus Khalaim & Ruíz-Cancino, sp. n., is described from Jalisco Province in central Mexico. Ojuelos belongs to the group of three genera (Cubus Townes & Townes, Colpotrochia Holmgren and Triclistus Förster) having a high lamella separating the antennal sockets and reaching the median ocellus (this lamella possesses a dorsal groove in it, just below the median ocellus), but differs from these genera primarily by 1) face and clypeus not convex in lateral view, 2) face separated from clypeus by a shallow transverse impression, 3) mandible with lower tooth very strongly reduced, 4) flagellomeres of antenna strongly transverse, and 5) dorsal carinae of propodeum reduced. A portion of the key to the genera of Metopiinae is provided to distinguish the new genus.     

A new species of Monstrilla (Copepoda: Monstrilloida) from a coastal system of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

From plankton samples taken at Puerto Escondido, a Mexican shallow-waterembayment located in the southern portion of the eastern coastof the Baja California Peninsula, a new species of Monstrilla,M.gibbosa, is described from a single adult female specimen.Among several distinctive features on the fifth leg and genitalcomplex, and in the antennular structure and proportions, thenew species can be separated from all other previously knownmonstrilloids by the presence of two anterior ventral protuberanceson the cephalosome.     

Taxonomy of the genus Megacyclops (Crustacea,Copepoda): morphometry and the use of enzyme electrophoresis

Morphometric investigations on the populations of Megacyclops in Lake Constance showed, that in a sublittoral region from about 20 to 50 m depth an intermediate type between the two species M. viridis (littoral) and M. gigas (benthal) could be distinguished. Using enzyme electrophoresis it was evident, that these specimens belonged to M. viridis.The annual range of water temperatures in the sub-littoral region corresponds to that found in the shallow areas of the lake or in ponds during winter and early spring, when the adults of M. viridis are markedly larger than in summer and fall (seasonal variation). Nevertheless the sublittoral population represents a different local type with special characteristics in morphometric details.     

Yansacyclops ferrarii,new genus,new species (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from the Amazon Basin,Brazil

Yansacyclops ferrarii, new genus, new species (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) is described from the plankton of Rios Guamá and Acará Grande near Belém, State of Pará, Brazil.     

A new species of Metacyclops from a hyporheic habitat in North Vietnam (Crustacea,Copepoda, Cyclopidae)

A new species of Metacyclops is described from hyporheic waters and small rock depression with leaf litter in North Vietnam, the Tam Đao Mountains). Metacyclops amicitiae sp. n. can be distinguished from its congeners by the unique combination of the following characters: 12-segmented antennule, distal segment of P4 endopodite bearing a single apical spine, and the surface ornamentation of the intercoxal sclerites in P1–P4 (pilose on the distal margin of P1-P4 and spinulose on the caudal surface of P4). The latter character separates the new Metacyclops from its closest relative, Metacyclops ryukyuensis, known only from the Ryukyu Islands (Ishigaki). The genus Metacyclops with the new species described herein is also for the first time recorded from Vietnam. An identification key is provided to the south and east Asian species of the genus.     

On the taxonomy of the genus Megadiaptomus Kiefer,including the description of a new species (Copepoda,Calanoida) from India

The insecticide permethrin (a synthetic pyrethroid) was applied into enclosures (1 m diameter and 3.5 m deep) placed in a pond. The chemical was rapidly removed from the water to the sediments. Daphnia rosea and its predator, Chaoborus flavicans were seriously affected by this application and disappeared from the enclosure. Acanthodiaptomus pacificus increased as Chaoborus decreased. Two species of Cladocera which had not been observed before the treatment, established their populations after 10 days, when Chaoborus had not recovered. Whereas Tropocyclops pracinus declined when permethrin was applied at 10 µg 1^–1, the number of rotifer Keratella valga increased, suggesting a close relationship between these two species.Photosynthesis and phytoplankton were not significantly affected by permethrin, except for Ceratium hirundinella. The dominance of Dinobryon divergens continued in the treated enclosures, whereas other flagellate species, Scenedesmus and Nitzschia occurred during the second half of the experiments in the control enclosure and pond.     

The calanoid fauna (Crustacea,Copepoda) of the Cordillera Oriental of the Colombian Andes

Calanoid copepods belonging to four species and one subspecies from lakes and ponds mainly from the Cordillera Oriental (22) and Cordillera Central (1) of the Colombian Andes are recorded. Most of the water bodies studied are located in the páramo region, between 2996 and 4085 m altitude. The family Boeckellidae is recorded for the first time from Colombia. Taxonomic characteristics of Boeckella occidentalis Marsh, 1906, Boeckella gracilis (Daday,1902) and the diaptomid Prionodiaptomus colombiensis (Thiébaud, 1914) are discussed. A new diaptomid genus, Colombodiaptomus, with one species and one subspecies are established.     

A new genus and species of mite (Acari: Acaridae) from Mexico

Comerinia chuetolamina gen. & sp. nov. was collected from a cargo of dried Daphnia imported to Britain from Mexico. Females can be distinguished from all others described in the family Acaridae in that setae 14, 15 and d5 are flattened dorsoventrally over most of the basal half. This region appears blade-like, bearing numerous strong pectinations along the ventral side. Males may be recognized by a series of characters, some of which reflect a close relationship with Forcellinia Ouds., 1924 and others with Tyrophagus Ouds., 1924. The position of the new genus in a commonly used key to adults of the family Acaridae is indicated.     

The genus Thermocyclops (Crustacea: Copepoda) in Uzbekistan (Central Asia)

Five Thermocyclops species were found in Uzbekistan: T. crassus, T. dybowskii, T. rylovi, T. taihokuensis, and T. vermifer. The last species has been for the first time recorded in the region. The data on morphology, variability and distribution of these species in Uzbekistan are given. A key to determine to the five species is proposed.     

Towards a revision of the genus Halectinosoma (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Ectinosomatidae): new species from the North Atlantic and Arctic regions

This paper contributes to a revision of the genus Halectinosoma . Four new species are described, based on examination of ectinosomatid material from localities in western Europe, eastern Canada and the Arctic. Halectinosoma mandibularis sp. nov. is distinguishable from other species by the reduced setation of the mouthparts and enlarged mandibular gnathobase. Halectinosoma latisetifera sp. nov. bears an affinity with H. cooperatum but is easily distinguished by the shape of the setae on the female fifth leg. A species previously erroneously ascribed to H. finmarchicum (Scott) by several authors is described here as Halectinosoma kliei sp. nov. Halectinosoma gothiceps (Giesbrecht) is redescribed and the closely related Halectinosoma paragothiceps sp. nov. is described and distinguished from H. gothiceps . It is considered likely that some previous records of H. gothiceps are in error.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 149 , 453–475.