Pionomolgus-Gallicolus, Gen Et Sp-Nov (Poecilostomatoida, Lichomolgidae), a Gall-Inducing Copepod of a Scleractinian Coral From Australia

Abstract

A new genus and species of lichomolgid copepod, Pionomolgus gallicolus, is described from galls of the scleractinian coral Echinopora lamellosa (Esper) collected at Lizard Island, Australia. The new genus can be distinguished from confamilial genera by the following combination of characters: (1) extremely swollen prosome; (2) six-segmented first antenna; (3) three-segmented second antenna; (4) simple mandible with relatively slender bipectinate blade and lash; (5) bulbous second maxilla; (6) reduced leg 4 endopod. The morphology of the galls is described, and additional galls, possibly induced by the new species, are reported from several dry museum specimens. This paper represents the second record of a gallicolous poecilostome copepod from a scleractinian coral.