A new genus of Cletodidae (Copepoda; Harpacticoida) from the Bohai Sea,China

Neoacrenhydrosoma zhangi gen. et sp. nov. is described from specimens recovered from muddy sediments in the shallow waters of the Bohai Sea. On the basis of the structure of the mouthparts, P5 of both sexes and the female genital field, it is suggested that the taxon is related to the Acrenhydrosoma-complex within the Cletodidae. It differs from other known genera in the structure of the exopod in P2–P4 which is two-segmented as a result of the failure to separate the proximal two segments of a three-segmented ramus; and the P5 in as much as the mucroniform process incorporates the exopod, as well as the endopodal lobe of the baseoendopod.     

Three new species of the brackish‐water copepod Halicyclops (Crustacea,Cyclopoida) from Ariake Bay,Japan

Three new species of the cyclopoid copepod Halicyclops are described from river estuaries of Ariake Bay, Japan. Halicyclops continentalis sp. nov. is most similar to H. laminifer, but differs by the shape of an angular protuberance on the genital double‐somite and a serrate hyaline frill of the fourth urosomite. Halicyclops sinensis described by Tai and Chen is widely distributed in China and is identifiable to H. continentalis, indicating that the population in Ariake Bay is probably a continental relict. Halicyclops uncus sp. nov., belonging to the thermophilus group, is distinguishable by the shape of the lateral process on the genital double‐somite, a frill of the fourth urosomite and caudal rami; it is probably endemic to Japan. Halicyclops ariakensis sp. nov. differs from the other congeners by a combination of the shape of the prosome, urosomal hyaline frills and caudal ramus length; it is considered endemic to Ariake Bay.     

Intraspecific variation in integumental pore signatures in the genus Pleuromamma (Copepoda: Calanoida)

Intraspecific variation in the pore signature of calanoid copepods is evident between individuals within a single geographical area (within-sample variation) and between different geographical area (geographical variation). Previous studies, however, have tended to consider only geographical variation, neglecting within-sample variation; thus the question remains on how representative the data are of biogeographic divergence within a species. Eight species of the metridinid genus Pleuromamma are examined and the extent of intraspecific variation in pore signatures is assessed here in terms of within-sample variation. In general, the degree of intraspecific variation increases with increasing number of the total integumental pores and is limited to 10% or less of the total. Intraspecific variation reflects not only genetic variability within a species but also genetic similarities between the species within a genus. This paper also re-examines published data on intraspecific variation in pore signatures. Samples as small as five individuals will identify >95% of potential sites of pores.     

An ecological study of Cueva de los Roques lava tube (Tenerife,Canary Islands)

Several aspects of the ecology of Cueva de los Roques were studied: the survey initiated by other speleologists was completed; the flora at the entrance to the cave was studied; and the fauna of the whole cave was analysed by sampling on two occasions three months apart, using a combination of visual searching and baited trapping. The most striking result was the difference in both physical conditions and biology between the two branches of the cave. Branch A has several entrances and thus appreciable air movements, with the result that it is inhabited only by trogloxenes and a few troglophiles. In contrast, branch B is a blind tube with constant high humidity and stable temperature, here there is a community of troglobites. We have found a total of 27 species of invertebrates; these include nine troglobites, of which seven are already known from other lava tubes on Tenerife. This suggests the occurrence of dispersal through a network of cracks in the subsoil, as in other volcanic and karst regions.     

Description of a new species of Indomolgus (Copepoda: Lichomolgidae) associated with corals in the Bay of Bengal,South India

Indomolgus humesi (Poecilostomatoida: Lichomolgidae) is the fifth member of the genus Indomolgus Humes and Ho, 1966. I. humesi was collected from corals while the other four members are associated with sea anemones. It is perhaps significant that all the known species of Indomolgus were collected from the tropical parts of the Indian Ocean, namely Madagascar and India.

I. humesi is closest to I. diversus Humes and Ho but can be easily distinguished by the relatively broad caudal rami of the male. The armature of the second segment of the endopod of leg 4 is I-2, which is different from that of all the other known species.     

The rediscovery of Danielssenia intermedia Wells 1965 (Copepoda,Harpacticoida): a missing link between the ‘danielsseniid’ genera and Paranannopus Lang 1936 (Paranannopidae)

Danielssenia intermedia Wells 1965, originally described from a single male specimen from the Fladen ground in the North Sea, is redescribed on the basis of new material of both sexes from off Cullercoats, also in the North Sea. Although D, intermedia has many similarities to the genera Danielssenia Boeck and Psammis Sars, it must be placed in a new genus Fladenia based on distinctive features of the female antennule, the mandible, maxilliped, first and fifth legs and the sexual dimorphism of both rami of legs 2–4. The characteristics of Fladenia are such that it serves to link the other genera of the danielsseniid complex with Paranannopus Lang. The proposal that all these genera should be placed in the family Paranannopidae Por is reinforced by close similarities in the structure of the female genital field.     

Chondracanthid copepods (Poecilostomatoida) parasitic on Japanese deep-sea fishes,with a key to the genera of the Chondracanthidae

Four species of chondracanthid copepods are reported from grenadier fishes (Macrouridae) taken in the deep waters off Japan. They are Chondracanthus neali Leigh-Sharpe, 1930 from the oral cavity floor of Malacocephalus nippoensis Gilbert et Hubbs; Chondracanthodes deflexus Wilson, 1932 from the gill cover of Coryphaenoides armatus (Hector); Jusheyhoea ryukyuensis sp. nov. from the oral cavity wall of Coelorhynchus anatirostris Jordan et Gilbert, C. gilberti Jordan et Hubbs and C. productus Gilbert et Hubbs; and Chelonichondria okamurai gen. et sp. nov. from the gill cover of Coryphaenoides nasutus Günther. A key to the 42 genera of the Chondracanthidae is provided.     

厦门郊区和新疆塔城鼠类原虫的调查研究

共调查2目、6科、12种358只鼠形动物,其中有24目科11种84只鼠形动物感染各类寄生原虫,平均感染率23％。各类原虫经形态学鉴定有8种,其中巴贝斯焦虫、肝簇虫、田鼠革汉体和鼠附红血球体4种系我国新记录。