Colobomatus-Icopaius (Copepoda, Philichthyidae), a New Species Parasitic on Lethrinus-Chrysostomus (Pisces, Lethrinidae), From the Great-Barrier-Reef

Abstract

Colobomatus icopaius, sp. nov., was collected from the cephalic canal system associated with the preopercular bones of the sweetlip, Lethrinus chrysostomus Richardson, caught off Heron I. on the Great Barrier Reef. The female differs from those of all other described species in having a chitinised cephalic transverse process, a spinose oral pad, and bifid thoracic lobes, features which are suggested to function in maintaining the female in its feeding position.