First use of molecular evidence to match sexes in the Monstrilloida (Crustacea: Copepoda), and taxonomic implications of the newly recognized and described, partlyMaemonstrilla-like females ofMonstrillopsis longilobataLee, Kim & Chang, 2016

Abstract

Two forms of the monstrilloid copepod, one represented by males, the other by females, were dominant among the monstrilloids collected while sampling zooplankton with a light trap in southern coastal waters of Korea. Morphological examination revealed that the males are conspecific with the previously reported and rather specialized Korean speciesMonstrillopsis longilobataLee, Kim & Chang, 2016, hitherto known only from males that have extremely long genital lappets. The females also show several diagnostic features ofMonstrillopsis, such as prominent eyes, bilobed fifth legs with the inner lobe unarmed and reduced, and four urosomal somites. In addition, though, these females are extraordinary among all Monstrilloida in that their ovigerous spines are directed ventrally, not posteriorly as in most species or anteriorly as in those assigned toMaemonstrilla. Genetic divergence analyses based on partial mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I, complete Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1)–5.8S–ITS2, and partial 28S rRNA revealed little or no genetic divergence between the present males and females, thus demonstrating that they are mutually conspecific. The present report (1) provides the first morphological description of femaleM. longilobatawith the proposal of a revised nomenclature for antennular setal armament; (2) presents the molecular evidence for conspecificity of the males and females; and (3) lists several morphological characteristics that are sexually dimorphic in this species, and thus likely also in other monstrilloids. Matters bearing on the validity of the generaHaemocera,Monstrillopsis, andMaemonstrillaare discussed.