Two new genera and four new species of Asterocheridae (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida) associated with sponges (Porifera) from the Korean East Sea.

Abstract

Two new genera and four new species of siphonostomatoid copepods of the family Asterocheridae associated with sponges are described from the Korean East Sea (Sea of Japan). These new copepods are distinguishable from related genera and species by their diagnostic morphological characters as follows: Amalomyzon elongatum n. gen. n. sp. bears an elongated body, two-segmented rami of legs 2, a uniramous leg 3 with two-segmented exopod, and a rudimentary leg 4 represented by a lobe. Dokdocheres rotundus n. gen. n. sp. has an 18-segmented female antennule, a two-segmented endopod of antenna, and unusual setations of swimming legs, including three spines plus four setae on the third exopodal segment of legs 2-4. Asterocheres banderaae n. sp. has no inner coxal seta on leg 1 or 4, but has two strong, sexually dimorphic inner spines on the second endopodal segment of male leg 3. Scottocheres nesobius n. sp. bears elongate female caudal rami about six times longer than wide, a 17-segmented female antennule, and two spines plus four setae on the third exopodal segment of leg 1.