The genus Argulus (Crustacea: Branchiura) in Africa: redescriptions of type-material collected by W.A. Cunnington during the Lake Tanganyika Expedition in 1913, with notes on A. giganteus Lucas and A. arcassonensis Cu�not

Abstract

Of the 11 specimens of Argulus Muller, 1785 examined during the present study, nine are recognised as valid. The two-specimens collected by W.A. Cunnington (1913) during the Expedition to Lake Tanganyika are redescribed. In these redescriptions, many species-specific features have been identified which facilitate identification when comparing with all other species of Argulus recorded from Africa. The type-material of A. giganteus Lucas, A. purpureus Thorell, A. arcassonensis Cuenot and A. otolithi Brian was examined. A. purpureus and A. otolithi were found to be synonyms of A. giganteus and A. arcassonensis, respectively. A. giganteus Ramakrishna, a homonym of A. giganteus Lucas, is recognised as a valid species but needs a new name.