A new family of siphonostomatoid Copepoda (Pupiformidae fam. nov.) from the Korea Strait

Two new species of Pupiformus gen. nov., P. apodus sp. nov. and P. rugosus sp. nov., belonging to the copepod order Siphonostomatoida, are described based on specimens collected from washings of benthic animals (invertebrates and fish) dredged from the Korea Strait at a depth of 116–123 m. Pupiformus gen. nov. is characterized by having a 6 - segmented, pupiform body, an unilobed maxillule, and a cephalothoracic shield divided into a dorsal tergite and two lateral pleurites, as well as by lacking legs, maxillae, and a mandibular stylet.

Pupiformus rugosus sp. nov. differs from P. apodus sp. nov. in having a smaller body (about 500 μm long, compared to about 900 μm in P. apodus sp. nov.), rugose dorsal tubercles on the cephalothorax and metasomites (vs smooth tubercles in P. apodus sp. nov.), a 5 - segmented antennule (vs 4 - segmented in P. apodus sp. nov.), two long apical setae on the mandibular palp (vs three setae in P. apodus sp. nov.), a 4 - segmented female maxilliped (vs 3 - segmented in P. apodus sp. nov.), and by lacking caudal rami (present in P. apodus sp. nov.).

Since the new genus cannot be assigned to any existing family of the Copepoda, a new family-level taxon, Pupiformidae fam. nov., is established to accommodate it.