A new species of genus <i>Sapphirina</i> (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) from the Kuroshio Extension region in the western North Pacific Ocean

Abstract

A new species of sapphirinid copepod, Sapphirina doliolettae n. sp. was described from the Kuroshio Extension region in the western North Pacific Ocean. The new species is similar to S. nigromaculata and S. scarlata with respect to the following characteristics: 5-segmented antennule, one inner marginal process on caudal rami, and slender endopods with two apical spines on leg 4. However, it can be distinguished from these congeners by a combination of the following characteristics: the relative length of each segment of the antennule and antenna in both sexes, the width of the fourth pedigerous somite in females, the shape of the anterolateral corner of the genital somite in males and terminal process length of 3rd endopodal segment of leg 2 in males. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences of S. doliolettae showed high interspecific variabilities from other Sapphirina species, including S. nigromaculata (20.2%) and S. scarlata (21.6-21.8%).