Chondracanthid copepods parasitic on platycephalid fishes of Australia, with discussion of known species occurring on flatheads

Abstract

Two species of chondracanthid copepods Acanthochondria platycephali Heegaard, 1940 and Pterochondria alatalongicollis Heegaard, 1940 are described. The latter was described by Heegaard as Acanthochondria platycephali f. alata-longicollis. However, it is placed in a new genus, based on the studies of type specimen and new material. A discussion on the other species of Acanthocondria parasitic on the flathead is given. It is suggested that A. bulbosus Heegaard, 1943, is synonymous with A. tchangi Y¨, 1935, and A. diastema Kabata, 1965, with Pterochondria alatalongicollis.