Prehendocyclops, a new genus of the subfamily Halicyclopinae (Copepoda, Cyclopoida, Cyclopidae) from cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
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abstract
Prehendocyclops, a new genus of Halicyclopinae, is described from cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Within the subfamily, the new genus resembles Halicyclops, Colpocyclops, and Smirnoviella in body shape as well as structure of the antennule and legs 1 to 5. In addition, Prehendocyclops shares with the latter two genera modifications in the antenna and mouth parts, which are here interpreted as structures used to hold onto some external part of a host. The possible host for the genus remains unknown. Prehendocyclops is characterized mainly in having an antennal prehensile device formed by a stout curved spine on the third segment, and the three proximalmost appendages of the terminal segment modified into stout, heavily serrate spines; the distalmost spine of these is claw-shaped. In addition, on the praecoxal arthrite of the maxillule the two outermost apical spines are curved towards a strong, straight, pointed spine inserted on the inner surface of the arthrite. The three species of Prehendocyclops described here (P. monchenkoi, P. boxshalli, and P. abbreviatus) can be separated from each other by a combination of characters found in the integumental pore pattern of the body surface and legs 14, the number of tergal integumental windows, the shape of the seminal receptacle, and the armament of the caudal ramus, antenna, mouth parts, and legs 1, 4, and 5 of both sexes, as well as legs 5 and 6 of males. 2000 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
