The first endemic genus of Copepoda (Cyclopidae) in the Caspian sea

Monchenko V.I.. 1986 ¹
Zool. Zh. Moscou, 45 (3): 333-340

Illustrated description of Caspicyclops mirabilis gen. et sp. n. (Cyclopidae, Cyclopinae) found in four points of the interstitial zone in the Caspian Sea (the western coast) is presented. The new genus differs from other genera by the harpacticoid-body shape, by the furcal rami moved wide apart, by reduced number of segments and/or by their armature on the most of the appendages; the maxillular taster (1-segmented with four setae), the maxilliped (3-segmented with six setae), the coxopods P2-P4 and the basipod P1 (without inner seate). The unclear 2-segmented legs P1-P4 (the P5 too) are with 2,2,3,3 spines on exopods and with subapical (instead of apical) endopod spines. The new genus is considered as an ancient freshwater relict in the Caspian Sea basin.

1. Institute of Zoology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR - Kiev