Spine Of Leg Research Articles

A new species of Tharybis (Crustacea: Copepoda: Calanoida: Tharybidae) from northern Taiwan

A new species Tharybis kueishanensis sp. n. (Copepoda: Calanoida: Tharybidae) is described from the inshore surface waters of Kueishan Island off northern Taiwan, which is the first report of Tharybis from the China Seas. Its female is distinguished from the other species of Tharybis by the total body length (1.89-2.12 mm) larger than the other species, the shape of the genital double-somite, which is slightly asymmetrical with a small notch on the distal margin of the right side, and the length of the inner terminal spine of leg 5, which is about 1.5 times of the terminal spiniform projections. The male is distinguished by the presence of 3 triangular projections at the inner middle margin and the tip of the distal segment of the right leg 5.

Morphology and Phylogeny of Taeniacanthus yamagutii Shiino, 1957 (Hexanauplia: Taeniacanthidae), a Copepod Infecting the Gills of Rosy Goatfish Parupeneus rubescens (Mullidae) in the Arabian Gulf

The present study was to investigate the copepodid species infecting rosy goatfish Parupeneus rubescens, one of the most economically important fishes in the Arabian Gulf. A copepodid species identified from the examined fish specimens belongs to the Taeniacanthidae family and is labeled as Taeniacanthus yamagutii Shiino, 1957, mainly depending on its morphological, morphometric, and ultrastructural characteristics, in particular the presence of maxilliped claw with a conspicuous digitiform process at the base, the terminal process of the second maxilla stout, and a setiform element at the tip of each exopod spine of legs 2–4. In order to ensure the accurate identification and exact taxonomic characterization of this species, the 28S rRNA gene sequence was analyzed. The result revealed that the present copepodid species belong to the Taenicanthidae family and has a close relationship with Taeniacanthus yamagutii (gb∣ KR048852.1) in the same taxon. The present study demonstrated that the rosy goatfish is a host for Taeniacanthus species, which will be helpful to prevent this parasitic infection.

Lithobius (Ezembius) varioporus, a new species from eastern China (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae).

Lithobius (Ezembius) varioporussp. nov. (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae), recently discovered from Longquanguan Town, Fuping County, Baoding City, Hebei Province, China, is described. Morphologically it resembles to Lithobius (Ezembius) laevidentata Pei, Ma, Hou, Zhu & Gai, 2015 from the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by the Tömösváry’s organ, slightly smaller than the adjoining ocelli, no secondary sexual modifications on male tibia 14 and 15, posterior accessory spine of legs 14 and 15 present and the number of coxal pores varying considerably from three to eight. The main morphological characters of the known Chinese species of the subgenusEzembius Chamberlin, 1919 based on adult specimens are presented.

Caligus fajerae n. sp. (Copepoda: Caligidae) parasitic on the Pacific sierra Scomberomurus sierra Jordan & Starks (Actinopterygii: Scombridae) in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico.

A new species of parasitic copepod, Caligus fajerae n. sp. (Caligidae), is described from Scomberomorus sierra Jordan & Starks (Scombridae) caught off the northwestern coast of Mexico. The new species morphologically resembles Caligus cybii Bassett-Smith, 1898, Caligus kanagurta Pillai, 1961, Caligus pelamydis Krøyer, 1863 and Caligus robustus Bassett-Smith, 1898, all of which have been reported from scombrid hosts. Caligus fajerae n. sp. differs from these species by having spinules on the abdomen and caudal ramus, two processes on the proximal antennulary segment, fine striations on the claw of the antenna and maxilliped, a stouter and more recurved maxillulary dentiform process, shorter tines on the sternal furca, two additional patches of spinules on the distal endopodal segment of leg 2, a sclerotised lobe on the anteromedian surface of the leg 3 protopod and serrations on both margins of the first exopodal spine of leg 3. Analysis of the DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene for Caligus fajerae n. sp. and 28 congeners, including C. pelamydis and C. robustus, showed that the new species grouped with Caligus belones Krøyer, 1863 (with 20% divergence), a species known to occur predominantly on needlefishes. Caligus fajerae n. sp. is the fifth species of Caligus reported from S. sierra. An updated host-parasite list for Caligus spp. on scombrids is provided.

Maygen. n. (Araneae: Sparassidae): A Unique Lineage from Southern Africa Supported by Morphological and Molecular Features

Abstract A new genus of huntsman spiders, May gen. n. is described from southern Africa, together with four new species: M. bruno sp. n. (♂, ♀; South Africa), M. ansie sp. n. (♂; Namibia), M. rudy sp. n. (♂; Namibia) and M. norm sp. n. (♀; Namibia). Diagnostic characters proposed include not only those for the genus but also for the so-called African clade. Unique within the entire family are the reduction of the gnathocoxal serrula and the prolaterad embolus. Special claw tuft setae and metatarsi I to III with three prolateral and retrolateral spines, respectively, occur in the entire African clade. A proximal cymbial shoulder in the male palp, the fused lateral lobes of the epigyne and the prolateral proximal spine of leg I shifted to a median position is characteristic for May gen. n. A family-wide analysis of genetic distance in the nuclear 28SrDNA gene (28s), including M. bruno sp. n., supports its isolated placement and thus the genus hypothesis.

First record of the freshwater copepod Eucyclops titicacae Kiefer, 1957, new rank (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) in Colombia

The freshwater cyclopoid copepod Eucyclops titicacaeKiefer, 1957, new rank, was previously known as a subspecies of E. neumani (Pesta, 1927). Hitherto, it was recorded only from Lake Titicaca in Peru and Lake Valencia in Venezuela. This species is here recorded from Laguna Navío Quebrado, La Guajira, northern Colombia. This is the first record of E. titicacae in Colombia and the third locality in which this species has been reported from. We provide comparative data on the morphology of this copepod. The Colombian specimens have the combination of diagnostic features of E. neumani titicacae as reported in both the original description and subsequent taxonomical accounts, including: 1) spinules on caudal rami not reaching halfway the outer margin; 2) caudal rami length/width ratio= 6.0; 3) length/width ratio of third endopodal segment of fourth leg=1.66; 4) inner spine of fifth leg being shorter than the two adjacent setae. The consistent morphologic differences and the isolation of E. neumani titicacae with respect to E. neumani neumani, each related to a different biogeographic subregion in South America, support the notion that these are two separate species, E. neumani and E. titicacae. Considering this interesting addition, the number of species of Eucyclops known from Colombia increases to 8; a key for the identification of these species is also provided.

Description of Eucyclops tziscao sp. n., E. angeli sp. n., and a new record of E. festivus Lindberg, 1955 (Cyclopoida, Cyclopidae, Eucyclopinae) in Chiapas, Mexico

Two new species of the freshwater cyclopoid genera Eucyclops are described, Eucyclops tziscao sp. n. and E. angeli sp. n. Both species belong to the serrulatus-group defined by morphological features such as: the presence of distal spinules or hair-like setae (groups N1 and N2) on frontal surface of antennal basis; the fourth leg coxa with a strong inner spine that bears dense setules on inner side, yet proximally naked (large gap) on outer side; and a 12-segmented antennule with smooth hyaline membrane on the three distalmost segments. Eucyclops tziscao sp. n. is morphologically similar to E. bondi and E. conrowae but differs from these species in having a unique combination of characters, including a caudal ramus 4.05±0.25 times as long as wide, lateral seta of Enp3P4 modified as a strong, sclerotized blunt seta, coxal spine of fourth leg with inner spinule-like setules distally, and sixth leg of males bearing a strong and long inner spine 2.3 times longer than median seta. Eucyclops angeli sp. n. can be distinguished by an unique combination of morphological features: the short caudal ramus; the long spine on the sixth antennular segment of A1; the presence of one additional group of spinules (N12’) on the caudal surface of A2; the presence of long setae in females, or short spinules in males on the lateral margin of fourth prosomite; the strong ornamentation of the intercoxal sclerite of P4, specially group I modified as long denticles; the distal modified setae of Exp3P3 and Exp3P4 in females and males; and the short lateral seta of P5. Finally, we report on a new record of E. festivus in México, and add data on morphology of the species.

A new stygobiotic species of Diacyclops Kiefer, 1927 (Copepoda, Cyclopidae) from caves in New Mexico, United States

A new species of the freshwater cyclopine copepod genus Diacyclops is described from a North American cave system in SE New Mexico, U.S.A. The new species, D. nikolasarburni n. sp., differs from its congeners by its having of a unique combination of characters including: 17-segmented antennules, three-segmented rami in legs 1-4, a basic 2333 spinal formula with a highly variable pattern, naked inner margin of caudal rami, but dorsal surface with spinules, subequal terminal spines of leg 4 endopod, and inner spine of fifth leg about as long as bearing segment. This species has also a variable length/width ratio of the caudal ramus (4.6-6.0, average 5.0); the lateral caudal seta is inserted on the distal one-quarter of ramus. The 2333 spinal formula was dominant (55%) in the population but other patterns were also present. The new species belongs to Group 1 species of Diacyclops (sensu Reid & Strayer, 1994). The local population of this stygobiotic species probably resulted from radiation-stranding processes of epigean forms of widely distributed Diacyclops and is probably endemic to this cave system.

Two new species of Eucyclops Claus (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from the Chihuahuan Desert with a redescription of E. pseudoensifer Dussart

Two new species of the freshwater copepod genus Eucyclops are described from two sites in the Chihuahuan Desert (CHD), which includes parts of northern Mexico and southern United States. Eucyclops cuatrocienegas sp. nov. is distinguished by having a short inner spiniform seta on the fifth leg, relatively short caudal rami, and a partially naked spine of the fourth endopod, among other characters. The finding of E. cuatrocienegas in Cuatro Ciénegas, an area in the CHD that is known for harbouring the highest number of endemic aquatic species in North America, suggests that these habitats could yield other endemic forms. The other new species resembles the Neotropical E. pseudoensifer Dussart, 1984 but differs in having a shorter basipodal spine of the first leg, shorter outer terminal spiniform caudal seta, a different length ratio of inner/outer spines of leg 4 third endopodal segment, and a different pattern of the serra on the caudal rami. Eucyclops pseudoensifer, originally collected from a high altitude lake in the Andean system of western Venezuela, is here redescribed from female and male type specimens. The description of E. chihuahuensis sp. nov. recognizes both the subtle but consistent differences of this population and its environmental isolation in this arid region. The North American records of E. pseudoensifer should be revised in the light of these findings in order to determine the real distributional ranges of these species.

A New Species of Copepoda (Thaumatopsyllidae) Symbiotic with a Brittle Star from California, U.S.A., and Designation of a New Order Thaumatopsylloida

Abstract A new species of thaumatopsyllid copepod, Caribeopsyllus amphiodiae, is described based on adult specimens reared from nauplii inhabiting the stomach of a burrowing, amphiurid brittle star, Amphiodia urtica (Lutken), collected in California, U.S.A. It is the first member of the family to be reported from the eastern Pacific Ocean. Caribeopsyllus chawayi, its only known congener, inhabits the Caribbean Sea. All other thaumatopsyllid species occur in the eastern hemisphere. Caribeopsyllus amphiodiae is only the second thaumatopsyllid of which both sexes and sexual dimorphism have been described and for which a host species has been identified. Caribeopsyllus differs from confamilial genera by the presence of a 1-segmented leg 4 exopod. The new species is distinguished from C. chawayi by its general habitus, and by the absence of spiniform processes at the base of each exopodal spine of leg 1 and the first three exopodal spines of leg 2. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of Thaumatopsyllida...

Stolonicyclops Heggiensis, New Genus, New Species, From Georgia, U.S.A. (Copepoda: Cyclopoida: Cyclopidae)

A previously unknown genus and species of cyclopoid copepod, Stolonicyclops heggiensis, was discovered in seepage areas on Heggie's Rock, a granite monadnock in Georgia, U.S.A. The genus is characterized by leg 5 fused to the somite, with 1 dorsal seta and 2 ventral setae on a small knob; the antennule of 11 segments in the female; the swimming legs with 2-segmented rami, except leg 4 endopodite segments partly fused in the female; the spine and seta formulae of swimming legs 2,3,3,3 and 5,4,4,4, respectively; the lack of a seta on the medial (inner) corner of the coxopodite of legs 2-4; leg 4 endopodite segment 2 with 5 appendages; and the lack of sexual dimorphism in the swimming legs, except for the difference in leg 4 endopodite fusion. In several respects, S. heggiensis resembles Bryocyclops (Palaeocyclops) jankowskajae Monchenko from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. However, the lack of modified appendages of leg 3 in the male of S. heggiensis precludes assigning it to the genus Bryocyclops. The nature of leg 3 of the male and other plesiomorphic characters of S. heggiensis may indicate that its ancestor diverged earlier than Palaeocyclops from the Bryocyclops ancestral line. A population of a previously unknown genus and species of cyclopoid copepod inhabits ephemeral seepage areas between rock slopes on a granite monadnock in the state of Georgia, U.S.A. We describe the species and aspects of its habitat and biology. For description, the specimens were transferred from 70% ethanol to glycerine and then to lactic acid. Drawings were made from

Three new tardigrade species associated with barnacles from the Thai coast of Andaman sea

Three new marine heterotardigrades, Archechiniscus symbalanus, and Styraconyx craticuliformis of the family Halechiniscidae and Echiniscoides andamanensis of the family Echiniscoididae, are reported on the basis of the specimens sieved from intertidal barnacles in the Thai coast of the Andaman Sea. Archechinisos symbalanus n. sp. is related to Archehiniscus minutus Grimaldi De Zio and D'Addabbo Gallo, but discernible from it by possessing median cirrus, stylet sheath, sensory spine of leg I, prominent basal processes on all leg pairs, and S‐shaped seminal receptacles. Styraconyx craticuliformis n. sp. is similar to S. craticulus (Pollock) in bearing the grid‐like dorsal cuticle, but distinguished from it by the shape of claws and cirrophore of primary clava. Ediniscoides andamanensis n. sp. is related to Echiniscoides pollocki Hallas and Kristensen and E. sigismundi sigismundi (M. Schultze) in sharing the same patterns of sensory leg appendages and the claw configuration of 8–8–8–7, but characterized by t...

Forficatocaris Schadeni, a New Copepod (Harpacticoida) from Central Brazil, with Keys to the Species of the Genus

ABSTRACT A new species of interstitial harpacticoid copepod, Forficatocaris schadeni (Parastenocarididae) is described from a wet campo (field) in central Brazil. Males of F. schadeni differ from all previously described species in possessing a subterminal hypophysis extending well past the end of the endopod of leg 4, together with a strong lateral spine on leg 5. Females are distinguished by the small, triangular, flat outer subterminal spine of leg 5. This is the first record of this genus on a highly organic substrate. The wet campo habitat is described; it seems similar in stability to the psammic habitats of other forficatocarid species. Keys to known species of Forficatocaris are furnished.

Cyclopoid Copepods (Stellicomitidae) Parasitic on Sea Stars from Madagascar and Eniwetok Atoll

Asterocomes indica Padmanabha Rao, 1962, and Stellicomes tumidulus Humes and Cressey, 1958, are recorded from a new host, Halityle regularis, in Madagascar. Stellicomes supplicans sp. n. is described from Asterodiscus elegans, and Leicomes monozotus gen. et sp. n. from Leiaster speciosus, both in Madagascar. Astroxynus culcitae gen. et sp. n. is described from Culcita novaeguineae at Eniwetok Atoll. Stellicomes pambanensis Padmanabha Rao, 1964, is placed in Astroxynus. Stellicomitid copepods, often of minute size, live externally on various asteroid echinoderms. This paper records two new genera and three new species of these crustaceans from Madagascar and Eniwetok Atoll. MATERIALS AND METHODS The copepods were recovered by washing the living sea stars in 5% ethyl alcohol and sea water. The wash water was strained through a fine net (mesh 125 holes per inch) and the copepods picked from the residuum. They were later studied according to the method described by Humes and Gooding (1964). All measurements are given in microns and were made from specimens in lactic acid. The body lengths do not include the setae on the caudal rami. In the spine and setal formulas of legs 1 to 4 the Roman numerals indicate spines and the Arabic numerals represent setae. All figures have been drawn with the aid of a camera lucida. The letter after the explanation of each figure refers to the scale at which it was drawn. The abbreviations used are: A1 = first antenna, A2 = second antenna, MD = mandible, MX1 = first maxilla, MX2 = second maxilla, MXPD = maxilliped, P1 = leg 1, and P2 = leg 2. Asterocomes indica Padmanabha Rao, 1962 Material collected (Madagascar): From Halityle regularis Fisher (new host).-61 specimens from 8 hosts, in 59 to 38 m (trawl), southwest of Isles Mitsio, 13002.5' S, 48021.5' E to 13005.5' S, 48? 20.5' E, 19 June 1967; 2 from 1 host, in 59 to 45 m (trawl), 13002.5' S, 48021.5' E to 13000.5' S, 48? 22.5' E, 19 June 1967. Stellicomes tumidulus Humes and Cressey, 1958 Material collected (Madagascar): From Pentaceraster mammillatus (Audouin).-156 specimens from 3 hosts, in 17 m, near black buoy, north of Pte. Ambarionaomby, Nosy Komba, 5 August 1967; 33 from 7 hosts, in 20 m, in pass between Nosy Komba and Ankify, 5 July 1967; 95 from 16 hosts, Received for publication 20 May 1971. in 10 cm, Ankify (mainland of Madagascar), 10 July 1967; 252 from 1 host, in 18 m, Banc du Touareg, 13?32'05 S, 48?15'20 E, 11 July 1967; 22 from 1 host, in 35 to 30 m (trawl), west of Andilana, 13017.5' S, 48?07' E to 13?16.5' S, 48? 07.8' E, 24 August 1967. From Poraster superbus (Mobius).-25 from 4 hosts, in 59 to 38 m (trawl), southwest of Isles Mitsio, 13?02.5' S, 48021.5' E to 13?05.5' S, 48? 20.5' E, 19 June 1967; 87 from 1 host, in 18 m, Banc du Touareg, 11 July 1967; 93 from 1 host, in 18 m, Banc du Touareg, 11 July 1967. From Halityle regularis Fisher (new host).404 from 8 hosts, in 59 to 38 m (trawl), southwest of Isles Mitsio, 13?02.5' S, 48021.5' E to 13005.5' S, 48?20.5' E, 19 June 1967; 27 from 1 host, in 59 to 45 m (trawl), southwest of Isles Mitsio, 13002.5' S, 48?21.5' E to 1300.5' S, 48022.5' E, 19 June 1967; 56 from 1 host, in 30 m, near Isles Mitsio, 13?05' S, 48?22.5' E to 13005' S, 48?21.5' E, 18 August 1967. Stellicomes supplicans sp. n. (Figs. 1-20) Type material: 1,420 specimens from 2 Asterodiscus elegans Gray, diameter 10 cm, in 59 to 45 m (trawl), southwest of Isles Mitsio, Madagascar, 13?02.5' S, 48?21.5' E to 13?00.5' S, 48?22.5' E, 19 June 1967. Holotype 9, allotype, and 1,050 paratypes deposited in the United States National Museum, Washington (Nos.-holotype 137431, allotype 137432, paratypes 137433); 200 paratypes in the Zoologisch Museum, Amsterdam; the remaining paratypes in the collection of the author. Other specimens: 360 from 1 Asterodiscus elegans, diameter 10 cm, in 59 to 38 m (trawl), southwest of Isles Mitsio, 13?02.5' S, 48?21.5' E to 13?05.5' S, 48?20.5' E, 19 June 1967. Female: Body (Figs. 1-3) ovoid and swollen dorsally. Nonovigerous females with length 405 (390 to 418), greatest width 284 (264 to 297), and thickness 257 (231 to 275), based on 10 specimens. Ovigerous females slightly larger and flatter, length 441 (429 to 455), width 313 (308 to 319), and thickness about 200, based on 3 specimens. Without external segmentation. Large prosome with complex internal sclerotized framework. Urosome small.

Cyclopoid Copepods Parasitic in Holothurians in Madagascar

Three species of poecilostome copepods are reported as endoparasites of holothurians in the vicinity of Nosy Be in northwestern Madagascar. Two of these belong to a new genus, Calypsarion, for which the type species is C. (= Scambicornus) carinatum (Stock, 1968). Calypsarion leprum sp. n. occurs in Actinopyga miliaris, A. lecanora, and A. mauritiana. Calypsarion sentosum sp. n. lives in Bohadschia marmorata. Lichothuria mandibularis Stock, 1968, redescribed, inhabits Holothuria scabra, H. aff. fuscopunctata, Argiodia nobilis, and Ludwigothuria atra. Several genera of cyclopoid copepods are known as endoparasites of holothurians. Two of these genera, Allantogynus Changeux, 1958, and Cucumaricola Paterson, 1958, are only distantly related to the copepods from Madagascar which are described below. [Synaptiphilus Canu and Cuenot, 1892, although found in the esophagus of holothurians (Bocquet and Stock, 1957), lives also on the integument, and is probably not to be regarded as endoparasitic.] Five poecilostome genera which belong to the Paranthessius group of Stock (1968), and which are thus related to the new genus described below, live in holothurians. These are Synapticola Voigt, 1892, Lecanurius Kossmann, 1877; Diogenidium Edwards, 1891; Diogenella Stock, 1968; and Lichothuria Stock, 1968. Until now only one endoparasitic copepod, Lecanurius kossmannianus, described by Humes (1968) from Actinopyga lecanora (Jaeger) and A. miliaris (Quoy and Gaimard), has been reported from holothurians in Madagascar. MATERIALS AND METHODS Although copepods which live externally on the integument of holothurians may be easily obtained by rinsing the host in weakly alcoholized seawater, the recovery of endoparasitic forms is much more difficult. If the holothurians are split open along their length and the entire body and viscera rinsed, the resulting sediment contains so much mucus and debris that finding the copepods is uncertain. We have found it is best to work with freshly collected holothurians while still in the field. The oral end is slit open for about 6 cm and the host is rinsed quickly in a pail of approximately 3% ethyl alcohol in seawater, at the same time making sure that none of the fluid escaping Received for publication 27 March 1969. from the body cavity of the host is lost. This method avoids contamination with mucus, sand, and bits of tissue, and yields the greatest number of endoparasitic copepods. Differences in the technique of collection may account for the wide variation in the relative numbers of copepods recovered from the groups of hosts listed below. The copepods were studied according to the method described by Humes and Gooding (1964). All measurements were made from specimens in lactic acid, and the body lengths do not include the setae on the caudal rami. In the spine and setal formulas of legs 1 to 4 the Roman numerals indicate spines and the Arabic numerals represent setae. The lengths of the segments of the first antenna have been measured along their posterior nonsetiferous margins. All figures have been drawn with the aid of a camera lucida. The letter after the explanation of each figure refers to the scale at which it was drawn. Measurements in the following descriptions are in microns unless otherwise indicated.