Revision of the fish parasitic genus Pleopodias Richardson, 1910 (Isopoda, Cymothoidae), with the description of a new species and key to the genus

By

Hadfield, Kerry A.
Smit, Nico

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2017

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

667

Pages

21-37

Subjects

External parasite , Indian Ocean , Pleopodias diaphus , Pleopodias elongatus , Pleopodias nielbrucei , Pleopodias superatus , Pleopodias vigilans , South Africa

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.667.11414

 

Abstract

The cymothoid genus, Pleopodias Richardson, 1910, is revised and a new species from South Africa is recorded. Pleopodias nielbrucei sp. n. can be distinguished by large eyes covering majority of the cephalon (almost in contact), antennula bases wide apart, antenna extending to middle of pereonite 2, subtruncate pleotelson, pereopod 7 with numerous acute robust setae on the propodus as well as the carpus, and the uropod exopod longer than the endopod. The three known species, Pleopodias diaphus Avdeev, 1975; P. elongatus Richardson, 1910; and P. vigilans Richardson, 1911 are also redescribed. Pleopodias nielbrucei sp. n. differs from these known species in both morphological characters as well as geographical distribution. A key to the Pleopodias species is provided.