A revision of the lichomologid complex (Copepoda: Poecilostomatoida), with the recognition of six new families

Abstract

The superfamily Lichomolgoidea of Humes and Stock (1972, 1973) is revised to take account of the numerous new genera added since 1972. The Urocopiidae is recognized as only distantly related to the other lichomologid families. Six new families, the Anchimolgidae, Kelleriidae, Octopicolidae, Macrochironidae, Synapticolidae and Thamnomolgidae, are established and the concepts of the four remaining families are significantly altered. A diagnosis is presented for each of the 10 families, together with a list of included genera and a key to genera. Emphasis in the new system is placed more on the characteristics of the mouthparts than on swimming leg segmentation patterns. One new genus, Eupolymniphilus, is established, based on Scambicornus finmarchicus. An analysis of the phylogenetic relationships between the families of the lichomolgoid complex is presented.