Revision of the Rhizocephala Akentrogonida (Cirripedia), with a List of All the Species and a Key to the Identification of Families

Abstract

A revision of the suborder Akentrogonida Hafele (Cirripedia: Rhizocephala) is proposed, based upon characters concerning ontogeny, larval morphology, and metamorphosis. The original diagnosis of the suborder is amended to include several genera, previously considered to be incertae sedis. The family Sylonidae Boschma is reduced to a synonym of Clistosaccidae Boschma. The diagnosis of the family Chthamalophilidae Bocquet-Vedrine is amended to include the genera Boschmaella Bocquet-Vedrine and Bocquetia Pawlik. The new families erected are: Duplorbidae, new family, for the genera Duplorbis Smith, Cryptogaster Bocquet-Vedrine and Bourdon, and Arcturosaccus Rybakov and Hoeg; Mycetomorphidae, new family, for the genus Mycetomorpha Potts, and Thompsoniidae, new family, for the genus Thompsonia Hafele. The genus Pirusaccus Lützen is still considered as incertae sedis, though its possible affinity to Thompsoniidae is emphasized. A list of all species of the Rhizocephala Akentrogonida is given with notes on hosts and geographical distribution. A key allows identification of all the families of the Rhizocephala.