Title: Metacyclops (Copepoda, Cyclopidae) from Ayyalon Cave, Israel
Abstract: A new species of Cyclopidae (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) is described from Ayyalon Cave, Israel, as Metacyclops longimaxillis n. sp. The description is based on specimens collected in a small, brackish, warm and sulfidic water pool, recently described from this cave that belongs to the Yarqon-Tanninim aquifer. The new taxon is distinguished by specific morphological traits, but in particular by the remarkable maxillae, the large size of which may be related to the specific environmental conditions in which these crustaceans are living. Its closest similar congener is M. stammeri Kiefer, 1938, with which it mainly shares the terminal seta and spine on endopodal segment 2 of P4 in both male and female, the armature of two setae and the strong exopodal seta on the basipodite of the antenna, the spine formula of the exopodites of the swimming legs (3.4.4.3), the general shape and setation of the furca with the inner median seta enlarged at its base; the 11-segmented female antennule, and the segmentation pattern of the antennule. They principally differ by their body size, the shape of the seminal receptacle, the setation of the antenna, the structure of the male antennule, the ornamentation of the intercoxal plates of the swimming legs, and the structure of the male P6. Some information and a description of the only other cyclopid found at this site, attributed to Metacyclops subdolus Kiefer, 1938, is given in addition. Une espece nouvelle de Cyclopidae (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) est decrite de la grotte d'Ayyalon, Israel, Metacyclops longimaxillis n. sp., a partir de specimens collectes dans une petite mare d'eau saline chaude, riche en sulfites, recemment decouverte dans cette grotte appartenant au reseau aquifere Yarqon-Tanninim. La nouvelle espece se distingue par des caracteres morphologiques specifiques, mais surtout par sa maxille, remarquable, dont la grande taille pourrait etre en rapport avec les conditions environnementales particulieres dans lesquelles vivent ces crustaces. L'espece la plus proche est M. stammeri Kiefer, 1938 avec laquelle elle partage la soie et l'epine terminales de l'endopodite 2 de P4, presentes dans les deux sexes, l'armature du basipodite de l'antenne composee de deux soies et d'une forte soie exopodale, la formule des epines des exopodites des pattes natatoires (3.4.4.3), la forme generale de la furca, avec la soie furcale interne elargie a sa base, le modele de segmentation de l'antennule a 11 segments de la femelle. Elles different principalement par leur taille, la forme du receptacle seminal, la structure de l'antennule mâle, l'ornementation des plaques intercoxales des pattes natatoires et la structure de la P6 mâle. Une nouvelle description ainsi que des informations complementaires sont egalement donnees sur l'autre espece de cyclopide present dans le site, Metacyclops subdolus Kiefer, 1938.
Publication Year: 2010
Publication Date: 2010-01-01
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 12
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