Systematics of the genus Heterolaophonte (Crustacea, Copepoda, Harpacticoida), with redescription of H. uncinata and H. curvata

Karaytuğ, Süphan (2014): Systematics of the genus Heterolaophonte (Crustacea, Copepoda, Harpacticoida), with redescription of H. uncinata and H. curvata. Zootaxa 3780 (3): 503-533, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3780.3.

Taxonomic revision of the Nitocra affinis Gurney, 1927 species complex (Harpacticoida, Ameiridae) with descriptions of four new species and re-evaluation of its subspecies

Due to the recent increasing importance of microcharacters in copepod taxonomy, it has become evident that many species lacking detailed descriptions actually constitute to a species complex. In this study, Nitocra affinis is redescribed based on lectotype material from Lake Timsah (Egypt) which facilitated a thorough detailed comparison with specimens of N. affinis recorded from distantly related localities. The results unequivocally revealed that the specimens of N. affinis examined in this study belong to a different species. As a result, four new species, Nitocra sonmezi sp. nov. and Nitocra serdarsaki sp. nov. from the Turkish coast, Nitocra alperi sp. nov. from the Indian Ocean, and Nitocra loweae sp. nov. from Brighton, England are herein described as new to science. On the other hand, all subspecies of N. affinis, namely N. affinis rijekana Petkovski, 1954, N. affinis californica Lang, 1965, N. affinis stygia, Por. 1968, and N. affinis colombiensis Fuentes-Reinés & Suárez-Morales, 2014 are elevated to species rank. An updated key the species of the affinis group is also provided

Ciplakastacus gen. nov., a primitive genus of Leptastacidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from the Mediterranean coast of Turkey

Sak, Serdar, Karaytuğ, Süphan, Huys, Rony (2008): Ciplakastacus gen. nov., a primitive genus of Leptastacidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Journal of Natural History 42 (37-38): 2443-2459, DOI: 10.1080/00222930802277632, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0022293080227763

Monchenkocyclops mehmetadami Karaytuğ & Bozkurt & Sönmez 2018, n. sp.

<p> <i>Monchenkocyclops mehmetadami</i> n. sp.</p> <p>(Figs 1-10)</p> <p>TYPE LOCALITY. — KIrksu Creek, Kozan, Adana, Turkey. Coordinates 37°32’08.46’’N, 35°53’41.54’’E.</p> <p>TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype ♀ dissected on eight slides (ZMADYU2015 /135). Allotype ♂ also dissected on eight slides (ZMADYU2015 /136). 1 paratype ♂ and 1 paratype ♀ are dissected on one slide each; 2 ♂ and 1 ♀ preserved in alcohol (ZMADYU2015 /137); 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ on one SEM stub (ZMADYU2015 /138). 2 ♂ and 2 ♀ preserved in alcohol (MNHN). Date 13.VI.2015. Leg. Ahmet Bozkurt.</p> <p>VARIABILITY. — Two ♀ and two ♂ had no seta on exp-1 of P1.</p> <p>ETYMOLOGY. — The new species is named in honor of Prof. Dr Mehmet Adam (Başkent University, Turkey).</p> <p>DESCRIPTION OF FEMALE (HOLOTYPE)</p> <p> <i>Total body length</i></p> <p> Excluding caudal setae, 667 Μm (range: 618-779 Μm, mean = 668 Μm, <i>n</i> = 6); body width 242 Μm (range = 239-294 Μm, mean = 257 Μm, <i>n</i> = 6). Preserved specimens colorless; no live specimens observed. Pedigerous somite smooth along posterior margin (Fig. 1A). Urosomites (Figs 2B; 6A, B) with fine hyaline frills along the posterior margin on ventral and dorsal surfaces. Integumental pore/sensilla pattern of the prosomites extremely difficult to observe/confirm, but in general similar to that of <i>M. changi</i> Karanovic, Yoo & Lee, 2012 (Fig. 1A). Seminal receptacle with relatively large anterior expansion and smaller posterior expansion as figured (Fig. 6A)</p> <p>Genital double-somite (Fig. 6A, B) large, with deep lateral recesses at level of sixth legs and swollen antero-ventrally, widest in anterior third and gradually tapering posteriorly, about 1.2 times as wide as long (dorsal view), hyaline fringe deeply and irregularly serrated. Copulatory pore very small, ovoid, situated ventrally at about midlength of double-somite ventrally; copulatory duct narrow, siphon-shaped, weakly sclerotized. Seminal receptacle (Fig. 6A) with relatively large anterior expansion and much smaller posterior expansion, extending over 49% of double-somite’s length; oviducts broad and weakly sclerotized. Ovipores situated dorsolaterally at 2/5 of double-somite length, covered by reduced sixth legs. Third and fourth urosomites similar in length and without ornamentation.</p> <p> <i>Anal somite (Fig. 1C)</i></p> <p>With short medial cleft, ornamented with one pair of dorsal sensilla, two pairs of small dorsal pores, with distal spinular row ventrally, extending dorsally to either side of anal operculum. Anal sinus wide with minute transverse spinules. Anal operculum slightly convex.</p> <p> <i>Caudal rami (Figs 1C; 2C)</i></p> <p>Cylindrical, parallel, inserted close to each other, about 3.8 times longer than broad (measured in dorsal view); armed with seven setae, armature consisting of seven setae: seta I with minute spinule (Figs 1C; 6A, B, D); setae II and III plumose; seta IV and V plumose with fracture plane, seta V longest; seta VI located at inner distal corner semispinulose, about as long as seta III; seta VII plumose and triarticulate at base.</p> <p>Rostrum (Fig. 2A, E, H) not demarcated at base, ornamented with integumental pits (Fig. 2F) broadly rounded and furnished with single central sensilla frontally (arrowed in Fig. 2E, F). The difference observed between female and male rostrum (Fig. 2E, H) is due to wrinkling during the critical point drying procedure.</p> <p> <i>Antennule eleven-segmented (Fig. 3A)</i></p> <p>With spinular row on the first segment proximoventrally. Segment 5 with spiniform seta (arrowed in Fig. 3A). Segment 8 with characteristic aesthetasc (arrowed in Fig. 3A). Setal formula 8, 4, 8, 4, 2, 2, 3, 2 + aesthetasc, 2, 2 + aesthetasc, 7 + aesthetasc. Most setae sparsely pinnate or plumose as figured. One apical seta on eleventh segment fused basally to an aesthetasc.</p> <p> <i>Antenna (Fig. 3B)</i></p> <p>Five-segmented, strongly curved along caudal margin, comprising very short coxa, much longer basis and threesegmented endopod. Coxa small and without armature or ornamentation. Basis cylindrical with spinular rows on caudal and frontal surfaces as figured, and armed with two inner pinnate setae (exopodal seta absent). First endopodal segment with inner distal naked seta and spinules along outer margin. Second endopodal segment with nine setae, one of which at inner distal corner more robust; ornamented with spinules along outer margin. Third endopodal segment armed with seven setae around apex; outer margin ornamented with spinules.</p> <p> <i>Labrum (Fig. 3C)</i></p> <p>Ornamented with paired groups of long spinules on anterior surface. Free posterior margin almost straight, with sharp teeth in midsection between produced and sharply and inwardly pointed lateral corners.</p> <p> <i>Mandible (Fig. 3D, E)</i></p> <p>Composed of coxa and small palp. Cutting edge of gnathobase with several apical teeth, and dorsalmost unipinnate seta. Palp represented by three naked setae, two of which long and one short (Fig. 4B).</p> <p> <i>Maxillule (Fig. 3F)</i></p> <p>Composed of praecoxa and two-segmented palp. Praecoxal arthrite armed with four setae articulating at base (proximalmost one more robust, longest and plumose) and five spines (three of which fused to segment). Proximal segment of the palp (Fig. 3I) representing fused coxa and basis, bearing one strong spinulose seta and two pinnate setae apically, plus outer pinnate seta representing exopod. Distal segment of palp, representing endopod, armed with three unipinnate setae (Fig. 3I).</p> <p> <i>Maxilla (Fig. 3G)</i></p> <p>Five-segmented comprising praecoxa, coxa, basis and two- segmented endopod. Praecoxa partly fused to coxa on anterior surface and arthrodial membrane indicating segmental boundary; praecoxal endite with two spinulose setae. Coxa with proximal endite represented by single plumose seta; distal endite cylindrical, with strong spinulose spine and plumose seta apically. Basis drawn out into powerful curved claw (Fig. 4A) bearing coarse spinules along middle part of inner margin; accessory armature consisting of strong spinulose curved spine and naked seta. First endopodal segment with one unipinnate and one naked seta, second segment with two naked and one unipinnate setae (Fig. 4A).</p> <p> <i>Maxilliped (Figs 3H; 4C)</i></p> <p>Much smaller than maxilla and four-segmented comprising syncoxa, basis, and two-segmented endopod. Syncoxa armed with two spinulose setae representing endites. Basis armed with two long spinulose setae; ornamented with two transverse rows of spinules near outer margin posteriorly and patch of spinules anteriorly near inner margin. First endopodal segment with long spinulose seta. Second endopodal segment with three setae, two of which naked; other pinnate.</p> <p> <i>Legs 1-4</i></p> <p>With three-segmented exopod and two-segmented endopod (Fig. 5 A-E).</p> <p> <i>Praecoxa</i></p> <p>Represented by triangular sclerite at outer proximal angle; each with row of spinules on outer corner of margin. Coxa with spinular row near the proximal outer corner posteriorly. All setae on endopods and exopods slender and plumose, except apical seta on exopod of first leg, which pinnate along outer margin and plumose along inner (Fig. 5A); no modified setae observed. All spines strong and bipinnate. Segments of both rami with spinules near the bases of all spines. Intercoxal sclerite without any surface ornamentation, except on posterior surface of fourth leg. Exp-1 with posterior spinular row near distal margin.</p> <p> <i>Leg 1 (Fig. 5A)</i></p> <p>Coxa ornamented with distal row of minute spinules on anterior surface, armed with long and plumose seta on inner-distal corner; basis armed with outer plumose seta and spinulose spine on inner margin near base of endopod (arrowed and indicated by a star in Fig. 5A), with two posterior rows of shorter and stronger spinules on anterior surface (one at base of inner seta, other at base of endopod), and one cuticular pore on anterior surface close to outer margin; exopod with row of slender inner spinules on first and second segment, inner seta of exp-2 better developed than other exopodal setae; endopod armed with one inner seta on first segment, second segment with three inner setae, one apical spine, and one outer seta, ornamented with slender spinules along outer margins of both segments, single terminal pore on anterior surface of second segment; second endopodal segment with small outer notch in outer margin showing ancestral segmentation.</p> <p> <i>Legs 2-4 (Fig. 5 B-D)</i></p> <p>Coxa armed with plumose inner seta, and bearing distal row of spinules and small pore on anterior surface (with complex spinular rows in leg 4 as figured in Figure 5E); basis with naked outer seta (plumose in leg 3), with very small spiniform outgrowth at outer distal corner in leg 3, with few setules along inner margin; inner margin of all exopod segments, outer margin of all endopodal segments and outer margin of exp-2 with few setules (except leg 4), with three outer spines on exp-3; second endopodal segment with outer notch showing ancestral segmentation, and longer than first segment. Enp-1 of leg 2 and leg 4 with posterior spinular row located terminally (Table 1).</p> <p> <i>Leg 5 (Fig. 3J)</i></p> <p>Inserted laterally, relatively small, two-segmented. Proximal segment short, almost rhomboidal in shape, armed with single slender plumose outer basal seta. Exopod small and cylindrical, armed with apical long plumose seta and subapical small inner spine; Leg 6 (Fig. 6B, C) represented by one plumose seta and two short spines dorsolaterally, inner spine fused to plate, outer articulated basally.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION OF MALE (ALLOTYPE)</p> <p> <i>Smaller than female (Figs 1B; 2G)</i></p> <p> Body length excluding caudal setae, 470 Μm (range = 464- 588 Μm, mean = 505 Μm, <i>n</i> = 5); body width, 167 Μm (range = 167-173, mean = 170 Μm, <i>n</i> = 5). Urosomites without any surface ornamentation (Fig. 7A, B). Genital somite 1.6 times as wide as long in dorsal view. Abdominal somites with finely serrated hyaline fringe dorsally, less serrated ventrally (Figs 7A, B; 8B). Caudal seta I extremely small as in female, and originating below a small spinule (Fig. 8A). Fifth leg similar to that of female but smaller (Fig. 8E). Sixth leg (Fig. 8C, D) armed with one inner and two outer plumose setae.</p> <p> <i>Antennule (Figs 9 A-C; 10A-G)</i></p> <p>Indistinctly 17-segmented. Segments 8-10 partially fused anteroventrally. Sixteenth and seventeenth (apical) segments partly fused on ventral side. Geniculation located between segments 14 and 15. Armature formula as follows: 8+ 3ae; 4; 2; 2+ae; 2; 2; 2; 2; 2+1ae; 2; 2; 2; 2+1ae; 2 +1 modified plate-like element +1 cone-like element +1 ae; 1+2 modified plate-like elements+1 ae+ 1 cone like element; 4+1 ae; 8+1 ae. Segmental fusion pattern as follows I-V, VI-VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX-XX, XXI- XXIII, XXIV-XXV, XXVI-XXVIII. Segment 1 with the slender seta A (arrowed in Fig. 9B); seta G present; aesthetascs linguiform; the seta G present (arrowed in Fig. 9B). Segment 10 (= ancestral segment XV) produced on one side into sheath enclosing segment 11 ventrally; armed with two setae. Segment 12 armed with short naked seta, plus short, strong (but not highly modified) chitinized spine (arrowed in Figs 9B; 10 A-C). Segment 14 (= ancestral segments XIX-XX) armed with a minute proximal seta and one distal seta, plus one modified plate-like modified element attached to segment, and one aesthetasc embedded between the segment and the modified element (arrowed in Fig. 10D); main part of modified element lying along surface of segment and ornamented with longitudinal ridges and small central pore (arrowed in Fig. 10D). Segment 15 armed with one normal seta, two plate-like modified elements (as proximal element on segment 14) each ornamented with longitudinal ridges and a central pore (arrowed in Fig. 10E) and one aesthetasc (arrowed in Fig. 10E). Segmental boundary between 16 and 17 (apical segment) unclear and especially difficult to determine ventrally. Apical segment tapering distally; armed with 8 setae (one seta located near the terminal margin of segment 16) and one setiform aesthetasc fused basally to one seta, mostly originating on outer (posterior) surface, six setae biarticulate proximally (Figs 9C; 10F, G).</p>Published as part of <i>Karaytuğ, Süphan, Bozkurt, Ahmet & Sönmez, Serdar, 2018, A new hyporheic Monchenkocyclops Karanovic, Yoo & Lee, 2012 (Crustacea: Copepoda) from Turkey with special emphasis on antennulary homology, pp. 43-58 in Zoosystema 40 (2)</i> on pages 44-50, DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2018v40a2, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/3738065">http://zenodo.org/record/3738065</a&gt