On the identity of the Namakosiramiidae Ho & Perkins 1977 (Crustacea, Copepoda), including a review of harpacticoid associates of Echinodermata

Abstract

The female of the ectoparasitic copepod Namakosiramia californiensis Ho & Perkins 1977, recovered from the holothurian Stichopus parvimensis, is redescribed and refigured. It is suggested that the species should be included in the Laophontidae and tentatively placed in the subfamily Laophontinae, implying the synonymization of the family name Namakosiramiidae. Previous records of harpacticoid associates of Echinodermata are summarized. A compilation of associations between Laophontidae and marine invertebrate hosts is given.

Keywords :

• Namakosiramia
• Echinodermata
• associates
• Laophontidae