Abstract
In the framework of an ongoing extensive phylogenetic evaluation of the Ceratonotus group (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Cletodidae), Poropsyllus menzelae gen. et sp. nov. from the sublittoral of south-western Cyprus (eastern Mediterranean Sea) and Paratouphapleura aaroni gen. et sp. nov. from the western Weddell Sea (Antarctica) are described. Both new species fit the autapomorphies of the Ceratonotus group but cannot be assigned to any of the genera so far known. Instead, each new species presents a set of derived characters that justify their placement in new genera, Poropsyllus gen. nov. and Paratouphapleura gen. nov., respectively. Furthermore, a comparison of the species placed in Ceratonotus Sars revealed that because of exclusive morphological deviations, Ceratonotus concavus Conroy-Dalton, C. steiningeri George, C. tauroides George, and C. vareschii George should be excluded from Ceratonotus and transferred to a new monophylum, Tauroceratus gen. nov. Likewise, Polyascophorus monoceratus George, Wandeness & Santos is characterized by several apomorphies that justify its transfer from Polyascophorus to a new taxon, Pseudopolyascophorus gen. nov. The Ceratonotus group is therefore increased to 31 species assigned to 13 genera. The systematic modifications conducted and resulting phylogenetic consequences are discussed in detail.
Highlights
IntroductionThe Ceratonotus group sensu Conroy-Dalton (2001) comprises nine genera: Arthuricornua Conroy-Dalton, 2001, Ceratonotus Sars, 1909, Dendropsyllus Conroy-Dalton, 2003, Dimorphipodia Lee & Huys, 2019, Dorsiceratus Drzycimski, 1967, Echinopsyllus Sars, 1909, Polyascophorus George, 1998, Pseudechinopsyllus George, 2006, and Touphapleura Conroy-Dalton, 2001 (Sars1909; Drzycimski 1967; George 1998, 2006a; Conroy-Dalton 2001; Conroy-Dalton 2003a; Lee & Huys 2019)
While Lee & Huys (2019) focused in particular on the homologisation of the cuticular body processes, setular/spinulose tufts, and tubercles that are characteristic of the Ceratonotus group, George’s (2020) phylogenetic evaluation resulted in the transfer of the taxon from the Ancorabolidae Sars, 1909, to the Cletodidae T
The new species described here shares all autapomorphies of the Ceratonotus group listed by George (2020), but it cannot be placed in any of the known genera, as it does not share the respective generic autapomorphies
Summary
The Ceratonotus group sensu Conroy-Dalton (2001) comprises nine genera: Arthuricornua Conroy-Dalton, 2001, Ceratonotus Sars, 1909, Dendropsyllus Conroy-Dalton, 2003, Dimorphipodia Lee & Huys, 2019, Dorsiceratus Drzycimski, 1967, Echinopsyllus Sars, 1909, Polyascophorus George, 1998, Pseudechinopsyllus George, 2006, and Touphapleura Conroy-Dalton, 2001 (Sars1909; Drzycimski 1967; George 1998, 2006a; Conroy-Dalton 2001; Conroy-Dalton 2003a; Lee & Huys 2019). A first detailed systematic evaluation of the Ceratonotus group was made by Conroy-Dalton (2001), who in that context established the name, recognizing Touphapleura as the most ancestral representative. Subsequent studies focused rather on the description of new species, often resulting in the establishment of new genera European Journal of Taxonomy 774: 1–41 (2021) et al 2009; George et al 2013; Gómez & Díaz 2017; Lee & Huys 2019), but only Lee & Huys (2019) and George (2020) provided – about two decades after Conroy-Dalton’s (2001) first attempt – new insights into the systematic relationships within the Ceratonotus group itself. The respective systematic modifications, based on 27 morphological characters and justifying the establishment of the above-named new taxa, are discussed in detail
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
