Redefinition of the parastenocaridid genus Proserpinicaris (Copepoda: Harpacticoida), with description of three new species from Korea

Abstract

Proserpinicaris young sp. nov., Proserpinicaris wangpi sp. nov. and Proserpinicaris imjin sp. nov. are described from subterranean waters of South Korea. They are short-range endemics, allopatric in distribution and closely related to each other, and to two other Far Eastern congeners. Distinguishing features are limited to the general habitus shape, proportions of the caudal rami and degree of sexual dimorphism. The genus Proserpinicaris Jakobi, 1972, as redefined here, is Palaearctic in distribution, with the centre of diversity in southern Europe, and 20 valid members, all of which share a large hyaline spiniform structure on the male fourth leg basis as a synapomorphy. A key to species is provided. Genera Niponnicaris Jakobi, 1972 and Pannonicaris Jakobi, 1972 are established as its junior subjective synonyms, Lacustricaris Jakobi, 1972 is formally synonymized with Parastenocaris Kessler, 1913, and Parastenocaris lacustris Chappuis, 1958 is designated as incertae sedis in Fontinalicaridinae Schminke, 2010.

Keywords:

• taxonomy
• systematics
• stygofauna
• phylogeny
• zoogeography
• endemism

Acknowledgements

Ms Renate Walter, Zoologisches Museum Hamburg, is kindly acknowledged for the help in preparation of the scanning electron micrographs. Financial support to the senior author came from Brain Pool and NIBR grants (both in Korea), while the necessary facilities were provided by the Zoologisches Museum in Hamburg and Hanyang University in Seoul.