The male ofCymbasoma quintanarooense(Suárez-Morales) (Copepoda, Monstrilloida) from the Caribbean with an identification key for the known males ofCymbasoma

Abstract

Abstract The male of the monstrilloid copepod Cymbasoma quintanarooense Suarez-Morales, 1994 is described from several adult specimens collected in a reef lagoon on the southeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the westernmost part of the Caribbean Basin. It is difficult to link male and female adult monstrilloids unless they are found as larvae in the same host. Males were assigned to Cymbasoma quintanarooense due to characteristic cephalic and genital protuberances that are also found in the female. The male closely resembles those of other species of Cymbasoma, but can be distinguished by a combination of characters including the structure of the genital lappets, the morphological details of the anal and preanal somites and the antennules, but mainly by the peculiar, bifid cephalic protuberance. A degree of intra-specific variation is recognized in the P2 setation pattern. A key for the identification of males of the 14 known species of Cymbasoma in which they have been recognized is presented. Comme...