A new species of Tigriopus (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Harpacticidae) from Thailand with the description of its naupliar development

Both genders of Tigriopus thailandensis sp. nov. are described from a laboratory stock raised from individuals collected from the seaweed Enteromorpha clathrata in Thailand (Bangsaen Beach, Chonburi Province). Tigriopus thailandensis sp. nov. shares with its closest relative T. japonicus Mori, 1932 two setae on the third exopodal segment of leg 4 while other congeners bear 3 inner setae. However, allobasis and exopod of antenna in both genders are much more slender and elongate than in T. japonicus. All six naupliar stages of T. thailandensis are described from the offspring of isolated females. In comparison with nauplii of T. japonicus, T. thailandensis nauplii are characterized by the following: a smaller body size throughout the naupliar phase; first antennular segment without seta, second antennular segment with only one small seta plus two longer setae; third antennular segment with additional spinules from naupliar stage II onwards; antenna bears three small spinules on the terminal exopodal segment; one additional seta on the anterior surface of the antennary basis, tubular endopod of antenna with one tiny seta midlength at naupliar stage III that increases in size; mandibular basis with several spinules on anterior surface; mandibular coxa with one spinulose seta that is smooth in T. japonicus. © 2011 Springer-Verlag and AWI.