A new centropagid genus (Copepoda: Calanoida) from Australian estuarine waters

Abstract

A new genus, initially monotypic, belonging to the family Centropagidae Sars, is described from estuarine waters in the south-east of Australia. It is a small calanoid, which closely resembles Centropages in the structure of the male fifth left leg, but differs from this genus in several important features including the absence of outer spines on all three segments of the exopodites of the first pair of legs. In this latter respect, as well as its small size, it resembles certain species belonging to the genus Calamoecia. It differs from this genus, however, in having 3-segmented endopodites on the first four pairs of legs. A key to the Australian genera is given.