Cletocamptus cubaensis n. sp. (Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae) from Cuba with taxonomic notes on the species

Abstract

Abstract A new species of harpacticoid copepod, Cletocamptus cubaensis n. sp., from a marine aquarium in Cuba, previously identified with the highly polymorphic Cletocamptus deitersi (Richard, 1897), is described herein. A revision of the Cuban material showed that, despite the morphological similarity to Cletocamptus deitersi, there are significant interspecific differences in several microcharacters that were not taken into account in the previous species determination, such as integumental sensilla and pores, and ornamentation of segments, mouthparts, swimming legs, prosome, and urosome. Additionally, some other differences were observed in the relative length and shape of the apophysis of the endopod of P3 in males, the armature complement of the second segment of endopod P2 in males (with four setae instead of three), the ornamentation and length of the caudal rami in both sexes, and the ornamentation of the anal operculum (with 8 spinules). Similarity to other species is discussed, along with brief comments on the morphological similarities and differences between the new species from Cuba and Cletocamptus nudus Gómez, 2005 recorded from Brazil and Colombia, C. schmidti Mielke, 2000 known from the Galapagos archipelago, and C. samariensis Fuentes-Reinés, Zoppi de Roa & Torres, 2015 from Colombia.