Cletodes confusum sp nov., C-pseudodissimilisoris sp nov., and Stylicletodes longicaudatus (Copepoda : Harpacticoida : Cletodidae) from a coastal lagoon in south-eastern Gulf of California (Mexico)

Abstract

The description of Cletodes confusum sp. nov. and C. pseudodissimilisoris sp. nov., and new records of Stylicletodes longicaudatus from a coastal lagoon in North-western Mexico are presented. Cletodes confusum sp. nov. proved closely related to C. tenuipes and C. endopodita. Autapomorphies for C. confusum sp. nov. are the shape of the female caudal rami, position of setae VII, I and II, female P5 morphology, and relative length of setae of female P5 exopod. Cletodes pseudodissimilisoris sp. nov. is closely related to C. pseudodissimilis Coull, 1971. These two species can be separated by subtle differences such as the dorsal ornamentation along the posterior edge of pro- and urosomites, ventral ornamentation of the fourth and fifth urosomites, ornamentation of caudal rami, position of the inner and subapical outer setae of the female P5 exopod, and relative size of the baseoendopodal setae of female P5. Cletodes pseudodissimilisoris is defined by the presence of two sets of spinule rows along the posterior edge of the female anal somite.