Attheyella (Canthosella) thailandica sp. nov. (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae) from caves in Thailand

Abstract

During this sampling campaign, the canthocamptid Attheyella (Canthosella) thailandicasp. nov. was collected from various caves in Thailand. The new species is widely distributed in the country and favours habitats, such as phytotelmata and wet soil. Attheyella (Canthosella) thailandicasp. nov. is the second member of the genus to be found in Thailand, after Attheyella (Canthosella) vietnamicaBorutzky (1967), which is most similar to it. Amongst Asian species, both A. (C.) thailandicasp. nov. and A. (C.) vietnamica have identical setal formulae, with a greater number of armatures on the distal endopods of legs 2–4. However, A. (C.) thailandicasp. nov. markedly differs from A. (C.) vietnamica in the insertion point of the dorsal seta and the presence of inner spinules on the caudal ramus. Additionally, the leg 4 endopod is two-segmented in A. (C.) thailandicasp. nov., but one-segmented in A. (C.) vietnamica.