Caudacanthus, a New Genus for Caudacanthus narcini (Pillai 1963) comb. nov. (Poecilostomatoida: Taeniacanthidae), a Parasitic Copepod of Batoid Fishes (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii) from the Indo-West Pacific
Danny Tang and Matthew D. Johnston (2005) A new genus, Caudacanthus, is established for the species previously known as Irodes narcini (Pillai 1963) based on a redescription of newly collected material from the west and east coasts of Australia. Caudacanthus narcini (Pillai 1963) comb. nov. is distinguished from other members of the Taeniacanthidae by possession of (1) spinules on the ventral surface of each abdominal somite, (2) a maxilliped with a short terminal claw pressed close to the basis, (3) inner coxal seta on legs 2 and 3, and (4) a caudal ramus with a distolateral, bifid spine bearing a flagellum. A description of male C. narcini is provided for the first time.
Keywords
Copepoda, Taeniacanthidae, Elasmobranch, Caudacanthus, Parasite.
