First representatives of the genus Fierscyclops Karanovic, 2004 (Copepoda, Cyclopidae) from South East Asia

We describe two new species of the genus Fierscyclops Karanovic, 2004, F. tanaosriensis n. sp. and F. solaris n. sp. from western Thailand, which are also the first records of this genus in Southeast (SE) Asia (and also Asia). The two new species share several characters such as: i) presence of lateral sensillum on the caudal ramus in both females and males; ii) one-segmented swimming leg 5 (P5) inserted on the lateral corner of the thoracic somite 5; iii) free segment of P5 with two elements (spine and seta), apical inner spine is robust, insertion distance between the apical spine and apical seta is relatively large; iv) swimming legs 1-4 (P1-P4) rami are two-segmented; v) distal segment of endopod (Endp2) of P4 has two apical spines; vi) spine and seta formula of distal segment of exopod (Exp2) of P1-P4 are 3.4.4.3 and 5.5.5.5, respectively; vii) coxobasis and Endp2 of the antenna have two and 10 setae, respectively. The two new species differ from the Australian type-species of the genus F. fiersi (De Laurentiis, Pesce & Humphreys, 2001) in: i) setation of the antenna; ii) longer inner apical spine on P5; iii) relatively longer genital double-somite in female; iv) relatively shorter caudal rami; v) presence of lateral sensillum on the caudal ramus in both females and males. The Thai species differ from one another in: i) ornamentation of the body integument; ii) shape of the posterior margin of the thoracic somite 2; iii) spinule ornamentation of the syncoxa of the maxilliped; iv) shape of the medial expansion of P2-P4 basis in females

A conservation roadmap for the subterranean biome

The 15th UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (COP15) will be held in Kunming, China in October 2021. Historically, CBDs and other multilateral treaties have either alluded to or entirely overlooked the subterranean biome. A multilateral effort to robustly examine, monitor, and incorporate the subterranean biome into future conservation targets will enable the CBD to further improve the ecological effectiveness of protected areas by including groundwater resources, subterranean ecosystem services, and the profoundly endemic subsurface biodiversity. To this end, we proffer a conservation roadmap that embodies five conceptual areas: (1) science gaps and data management needs; (2) anthropogenic stressors; (3) socioeconomic analysis and conflict resolution; (4) environmental education; and (5) national policies and multilateral agreements.Peer reviewe

A new species of Cletocamptus Schmankevitsch, 1875 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae) from Rayong Province, Eastern Thailand

Cletocamptus thailandensis sp. nov. was discovered in a water body at the base of a small mountain near the Phang Rat River Delta in Rayong Province, Eastern Thailand. The new species resembles C. goenchim Gómez, Ingole, Sawant & Singh, 2013 and C. koreanus Chang, 2013, but it can be distinguished from these two species based on the armament of the endopodal lobe of the male P5, ornamentations of the abdominal segments, the caudal ramus, the male P3Endp-3, and the relative length of the aesthetasc on the fourth segment of the female antennule. According to the combinations of certain female characteristics, including the number of setae on the P3Endp-2, the relative length of the caudal ramus, the relative length of the inner apical seta on the P3Endp-2, the shape of the P5, and the number of setae on the P3Exp-2, five groups of the Cletocamptus species can be defined

A new species of Rangabradya (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Ectinosomatidae) from a cave in Satun Province, southern Thailand

A representative of the family Ectinosomatidae was discovered in a temporary pool in a cave in the Satun Province, southern Thailand. Based on the characteristics of the antennary exopod, armature of the female fifth leg, and configuration of the male sixth leg, a new species of the genus Rangabradya was identified, representing the first record of the genus in the continental waters of Thailand and in Southeast Asia. The new species can be distinguished from Rangabradya indica by the configurations of the fifth and the sixth legs in both sexes, the body ornamentation of the urosomite, and the armature of the mouthparts. These structures show a more primitive state in the new species. Accordingly, a new subgeneric rank in the genus Rangabradya, Siamorangabradya subgen. nov, was established to accommodate the Thai species and Rangabradya (Siamorangabradya) wongkamhaengae subgen. et sp. nov. was described. Also, the key to all 23 genera of the family was updated

Two new species of Metacyclops Kiefer, 1927 (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) from Thailand and an up-to-date key to the species recorded in Asia

Metacyclops sakaeratensis sp. nov. and M. brancelji sp. nov. are described as being present in the mountainous areas of Northeastern and Southern Thailand, respectively. Two new species resemble M. woni in both sexes, but they are easily distinguished from their Cambodian relative by having: 1) transverse suture on the dorsal surface of the genital double-somite, 2) serrated hyaline frill on the posterior margin of third pedigerous somite, 3) different length / width ratio of caudal ramus, and 4) a row of spinule on caudal surface of intercoxal sclerite of the third swimming legs. The significant differences between M. sakaeratensis sp. nov. and M. brancelji sp. nov. are present in both sexes, including the body size, integumental ornamentation of the body surface, length / width ratio of caudal ramus, armature of the fifth swimming leg, and the male sixth swimming leg. In addition, an up-to-date key to the female of all fifteen species of Metacyclops recorded in Asia is provided

Two New Species of <i>Elaphoidella</i> (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from Subterranean Waters in Northeast Thailand, with a Record of a Gynandromorphic Specimen and an Up-to-Date Key to <i>Elaphoidella</i> Species from Southeast Asia

Two new species of copepods of the genus Elaphoidella Chappuis, 1929 were discovered in a cave and a spring in northeastern Thailand. The first species, E. phuphamanensis sp. nov., belongs to species-group VII sensu Lang. It is most similar to E. turgisetosa Petkovski, 1980 in the armament of the male third exopod of the fourth swimming leg and the shape and armament of the fifth swimming leg in both sexes. However, it is easily distinguished from other congeners by the segmentation of the first swimming leg, the endopod of the fourth swimming leg, and the armature of the third exopod of swimming legs 2–4 in both sexes. The second species, E. propecabezasi sp. nov., is located in species-group I sensu Lang, where the male does not have a transformed seta on the third exopod of the fourth swimming leg and the female fifth swimming leg has four baseoendopodal robust setae, unequal in length. It is most similar to E. cabezasi Petkovski, 1982 and E. paraaffinis Watiroyram, Sanoamuang and Brancelj, 2017 in having the same armature formula as endopods 1–2 of female swimming legs 1–4. However, the ornamentation of the anal operculum, the shape of the caudal ramus, and the armature of the fifth swimming leg in both sexes distinguish them from each other. A rare gynandromorphic specimen of E. propecabezasi sp. nov. was recorded, and a revised key to Elaphoidella species in Southeast Asia is provided

A new species of Boholina (Crustacea, Copepoda, Calanoida) and a first record for stygobiotic calanoid fauna from a cave in Thailand

Volume: 904Start Page: 1-2

A new species of Boholina (Crustacea, Copepoda, Calanoida) and a first record for stygobiotic calanoid fauna from a cave in Thailand

A new species of Calanoida belonging to the genus Boholina Fosshagen & Iliffe, 1989 was found in a freshwater pool within a cave of the Satun province, South Thailand. It is the first record of the genus and of a stygobiotic representative of calanoid fauna in this country. The new species is most similar to B. crassicephala Fosshagen & Iliffe, 1989, based on position of genital pores, structures of P4 and P5 in both sexes, relative length of subapical spine vestige on the male right P5, and shape of the male left P5 endopods. However, this new species is distinguished from its known congeners by: (1) relatively longer distal outer spines on the male right P5 exopods, (2) smaller endopods of the male left P5 and (3) elongated apical spines on the distal exopodal segment of the female P4 and P5. Furthermore, the distinctive characteristic of the Thai Boholina is the presence of inner minute seta on the distal segment of the male right P5 exopod. Detailed descriptions of the new species and a key to all six known species of the genus Boholina is provided

A new genus and two new species of cave-dwelling cyclopoids (Crustacea, Copepoda) from the epikarst zone of Thailand and up-to-date keys to genera and subgenera of the Bryocyclops and Microcyclops groups

Two obligate cave-dwelling species of cyclopoid copepods (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) were discovered inside caves in central Thailand. Siamcyclops cavernicolus gen. et sp. nov. was recognised as a member of a new genus. It resembles Bryocyclops jankowskajae Monchenko, 1972 from Uzbekistan (part of the former USSR). It differs from it by (1) lack of pointed triangular prominences on the intercoxal sclerite of the fourth swimming leg, (2) mandibular palp with three setae, (3) spine and setal formulae of swimming legs 3.3.3.2 and 5.5.5.5, respectively, and (4) specific shape of spermatophore. Metacyclops thailandicus sp. nov. resembles M. cushae Reid, 1991 from Louisiana (USA). It differs from it by (1) distal segment of the endopod of the fourth swimming leg with one apical spine, (2) the fifth swimming legs with one broad segment, (3) the spine formula of the distal segment of the exopod of the swimming legs 3.4.3.3, and (4) well developed anal operculum reaching articulation with caudal rami. Detailed descriptions of the habitats of the new species and up-to-date keys to the genera and subgenera of the Bryocyclops and Microcyclops groups are provided, along with an updated list of obligate groundwater species of Copepoda in Southeast Asia