Copepoda associated with scleractinian corals on the Great Barrier Reef, northeastern Australia, with a key to the genera of the Lichomolgidae

Abstract

Nine new species and three new genera, Parandrianellus, Scyphuliger, and James-cookina, are associated with various species of hard corals in the vicinity of Lizard Island, Big Broadhurst Reef, and Bowl Reef on the Great Barrier Reef. These copepods include the lichomolgids Parandrianellus annulatus from Hydnophora rigida, Scyphuliger concavipes from Acropora hyacinthus and Acropora sarmentosa, Scyphuliger manifestus from Acropora hyacinthus and Acropora squarrosa, James-cookina redacta from Echinopora horrida, Panjakus eumeces from Hydnophora rigida, Anchimolgus abbreviatus and Anchimolgus tanaus from Acrhelia horrescens, Anchimolgus exsertus from Echinopora horrida, and Odontomolgus bulbalis from Merulina ampliata. Schedomolgus tenuatus Humes, 1990, recorded from Acropora hyacinthus and Acropora humilis, is transferred to the genus Scyphuliger. Schedomolgus lobophorus (Humes and Ho, 1968) is recorded from Acropora hyacinthus, Acropora humilis, Acropora sarmentosa, and Acropora intermedia; Amarda goniastreae Humes, 1985, from Favia stelligera; and Amardopsis merulinae Humes, 1974, from Merulina ampliata and Leptoria phrygia. The harpacticoid Alteuthellopsis corallina Humes, 1981, is reported from Merulina ampliata and Stylophora pistillata. A list of those copepods previously known to be associated with hard corals in the area and a key to the 81 genera of the Lichomolgidae are provided.

Keywords :

• Copepoda
• Poecilostomatoida
• Lichomolgidae
• Harpacticoida
• associates
• Scleractinia
• Jamescookina
• Parandrianellus
• Scyphuliger