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

Kerry A Hadfield; Nico J Smit

doi:10.3897/zookeys.667.11414

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

Zookeys. 2017 Apr 10:(667):21-37. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.667.11414. eCollection 2017.

Authors

Kerry A Hadfield¹, Nico J Smit¹

Affiliation

¹ Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.

Abstract

The cymothoid genus, Pleopodias Richardson, 1910, is revised and a new species from South Africa is recorded. Pleopodias nielbruceisp. 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 nielbruceisp. n. differs from these known species in both morphological characters as well as geographical distribution. A key to the Pleopodias species is provided.

Keywords: External parasite; Indian Ocean; Pleopodias diaphus; Pleopodias elongatus; Pleopodias nielbrucei; Pleopodias superatus; Pleopodias vigilans; South Africa.