Research Article |
Corresponding author: Kerry A. Hadfield ( kerryh26@yahoo.com ) Academic editor: Tammy Horton
© 2017 Kerry A. Hadfield, Nico J. Smit.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Hadfield KA, Smit NJ (2017) Revision of the fish parasitic genus Pleopodias Richardson, 1910 (Isopoda, Cymothoidae), with the description of a new species and key to the genus. ZooKeys 667: 21-37. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.667.11414
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The cymothoid genus, Pleopodias Richardson, 1910, is revised and a new species from South Africa is recorded. Pleopodias nielbrucei sp. n. can be distinguished by large eyes covering majority of the cephalon (almost in contact), antennula bases wide apart, antenna extending to middle of pereonite 2, subtruncate pleotelson, pereopod 7 with numerous acute robust setae on the propodus as well as the carpus, and the uropod exopod longer than the endopod. The three known species, Pleopodias diaphus Avdeev, 1975; P. elongatus Richardson, 1910; and P. vigilans Richardson, 1911 are also redescribed. Pleopodias nielbrucei sp. n. differs from these known species in both morphological characters as well as geographical distribution. A key to the Pleopodias species is provided.
External parasite, Indian Ocean, South Africa, Pleopodias diaphus , Pleopodias elongatus , Pleopodias vigilans , Pleopodias nielbrucei , Pleopodias superatus
Depending on the genus or species, cymothoids can be located on the external surfaces or inside the branchial, buccal or body cavities of their fish host (
While examining museum material housed in the Iziko South African Museum, Cape Town, a specimen collected off the coast of South Africa identified as belonging to the genus Pleopodias was observed. Several fish parasitic cymothoid genera from southern Africa have recently been revised (
The Pleopodias species from South Africa differs from the three known species in both morphological characteristics as well as geographical distribution, Discovery of this specimen provided the opportunity to revise the genus, add a new species, and provide a key to all species of Pleopodias.
Pleopodias type material was borrowed or drawn at the respective museums. The Pleopodias specimen loaned from the Iziko South African Museum was collected from a RV Africana Cruise in 1988, off the coast of South Africa. Type material was not dissected and all isopods were processed according to the techniques in
Abbreviations.
Pleopodias Richardson, 1910: 25–26.—Barnard, 1936: 166–167.—Bruce, 1987: 87.—Trilles, 1994: 109.
Pleopodias elongatus Richardson, 1910, by monotypy.
Body elongate; cephalon slightly immersed in pereonite 1, posterior margin not trilobed; eyes large and distinct. Rostrum folded back, lying between antennula bases, not concealing basal articles. Antennula long and narrow, extending past cephalon posterior margins; antenna longer than antennula, extending to or beyond pereonite 2, articles 3–6 elongate. Pereon most narrow at pereonite 1; pleon narrower than pereon with pleonites progressively getting narrower from pleonite 1 to 5; pleotelson elongate, 1.2–1.8 times longer than wide. Pereonite 2 shortest in length, pereonite 6 longest. Uropods long and narrow, extending beyond the posterior margin of the pleotelson. Pereopod 7 longer than other pereopods with the merus, carpus and propodus on pereonite 7 elongated.
Pleopodias can be identified by the long antennae, with the antennula shorter than the antenna; body most narrow at pereonite 1; narrow pleon with the width of the pleonites decreasing from pereonite 1 to 5; pereopod 7 longer and more elongate than other pereopods; uropods extending past the posterior margin of the pleotelson; and a longer than wide pleotelson.
The original diagnosis for this genus was provided by
This key is based on the morphological characters of the gravid female:
1 | Uropod rami the same length; antennula bases close together or in contact | 2 |
– | Uropod exopod longer than endopod; antennula bases widely separated | 3 |
2 | Antennula bases contiguous; antenna extending to middle of pereonite 3; pleotelson posterior margin deeply emarginate; eye size a third of cephalon width | P. diaphus |
– | Antennula bases narrowly separated; antenna extending to posterior of pereonite 2; pleotelson posterior margin rounded; eye size a quarter of cephalon width | P. elongatus |
3 | Antenna extending to posterior of pereonite 2; pleotelson posterior margin rounded, with caudomedial point; eye 0.4 times width of cephalon; pereopod 7 without robust setae | P. vigilans |
– | Antenna extending to middle of pereonite 2; pleotelson posterior margin subtruncate; eye 0.5 times width of cephalon; pereopod 7 with acute robust setae on propodus and carpus | P. nielbrucei sp. n. |
Pleopodias diaphus Avdeev, 1975: 254–256, figs 1–11.—Bruce & Harrison-Nelson, 1988: 600.—Trilles, 1994: 109.—Yamauchi, 2009: 477–479, figs 7–8.
Pleopodias superatus Williams & Williams, 1986: 656, figs 62–68.
Female holotype of Pleopodias superatus (26.5 mm TL, 10.4 mm W), caught in a shrimp net off Honshu Island, Japan, 11 April 1969 (
Holotype. Non-ovigerous female, collected from the East-China Sea (Sea of Japan), from the body of Diaphus coeruleus (TINRO AGK 74190). Paratypes. Non-ovigerous females, same information as holotype (TINRO APK 74191–74195). Not examined.
Pleopodias diaphus Avdeev, 1975 (
Female holotype of Pleopodias superatus. Length 26.5 mm, width 10.4 mm.
Body oval, 2.4 times as long as greatest width, dorsal surfaces smooth and polished in appearance, widest at pereonite 5, most narrow at pereonite 1, lateral margins subparallel. Cephalon 0.8 times longer than wide, visible from dorsal view, subtriangular. Frontal margin truncate, thickened and ventrally folded. Eyes oval with distinct margins; one eye 0.3 times width of cephalon, 0.4 times length of cephalon. Pereonite 1 smooth, anterior border slightly indented, anterolateral angle narrowly rounded, extending to middle of the eye. Posterior margins of pereonites 1–4 smooth and straight, 5–7 slightly curved laterally, posterior margin of pereonite 7 produced medially. Coxae 2–3 narrow, with posteroventral angles rounded; 4–7 small and narrow, not extending past pereonite margin. Pereonites 1–5 increasing in length and width; 6–7 decreasing in length and width. Pereonite 7 partially overlapping pleonite 1. Pleonites posterior margin smooth, mostly concave. Pleonite 1 widest, visible in dorsal view. Pleonite 2 not overlapped by pereonite 7; posterolateral angles of pleonite 2 narrowly rounded. Pleonites 3–5 progressively getting smaller; pleonite 5 not overlapped by lateral margins of pleonite 4, posterior margin slightly concave. Pleotelson 1.8 times as long as anterior width, dorsal surface slightly depressed, lateral margins straight, posterior margin with medial notch.
Antennula thinner and shorter than antenna, contiguous bases, consisting of 8 articles; peduncle articles 1 and 2 distinct and articulated; articles 2–3 expanded; extending to pereonite 2. Antenna consisting of 12 articles; extending to middle of pereonite 3. Pereopod 1 basis 1.6 times as long as greatest width; ischium 0.7 times as long as basis; merus proximal margin without bulbous protrusion; carpus with straight proximal margin; propodus 1.2 times as long as wide; dactylus slender, 1.5 times as long as propodus, 2.4 times as long as basal width. Pereopod 7 longer than other pereopods, basis 2.2 times as long as greatest width; ischium 0.8 times as long as basis, without protrusions; merus proximal margin without bulbous protrusion, 1.2 times as long as wide, 0.5 times as long as ischium; carpus 0.9 times as long as wide, 0.4 times as long as ischium, without bulbous protrusion; propodus with numerous acute robust setae, 2.6 times as long as wide, 0.8 times as long as ischium; dactylus slender, 0.8 times as long as propodus, 3.3 times as long as basal width. Uropod longer than the pleotelson, rami subequal. Endopod apically rounded. Exopod apically narrowly rounded.
Sea of Japan (
Anterior to the dorsal fin of Diaphus coeruleus (Blue lantern fish) (
Pleopodias diaphus has an ovate shape, contiguous antennula bases, and an emarginated pleotelson posterior margin. The uropod rami are approximately the same length and the eyes are large (each eye approximately a third of the cephalon width).
It was originally described from Japan, with several drawings and a brief description in Russian. In
As the type material for P. diaphus could not be obtained the redescription provided here is based on the holotype of P. superatus housed at
Pleopods and mouthparts of specimens identified as P. diaphus were drawn and described by
Pleopodias elongatus Richardson, 1910: 26–27, fig. 25.—Nierstrasz, 1931: 133.—Avdeev, 1975: 89, fig. 3.—Bruce, 1987: 89, fig. 3.
Holotype. Ovigerous female (20 mm), off Matocot Point, Philippine Islands, 8 June 1908, 170 fathoms (= 311 m depth), station 5268, coll. U .S. Bureau of Fisheries Albatross Philippine Expedition 1907-08 (
Female holotype. Length 20 mm, width 7.5 mm.
Body elongate, 2.7 times as long as greatest width, dorsal surfaces smooth and polished in appearance, widest at pereonite 4 and pereonite 5, most narrow at pereonite 1, lateral margins subparallel. Cephalon 0.7 times longer than wide, visible from dorsal view, subtriangular. Frontal margin thickened, ventrally folded and truncate. Eyes oval with distinct margins, one eye 0.25 times width of cephalon; 0.4 times length of cephalon. Pereonite 1 smooth, anterior border straight, anterolateral angle acute, anteriorly produced, extending to one third of the eye. Posterior margins of pereonites smooth and slightly curved laterally. Coxae 2–4 narrow, with posteroventral angles rounded; 5–7 small and narrow, not extending past pereonite margin, with posteroventral angles curved. Pereonites 1–4 increasing in length and width; 5–7 decreasing in length and width. Pleonites posterior margin smooth, mostly concave. Pleonite 1 widest, visible in dorsal view. Pleonite 1 and 2 not overlapped by pereonite 7; posterolateral angles of pleonite 2 rounded. Pleonites 3–5 progressively getting smaller; pleonite 5 not overlapped by lateral margins of pleonite 4, posterior margin straight. Pleotelson 1.6 times as long as anterior width, dorsal surface slightly depressed, lateral margins weakly convex, posterior margin rounded and damaged.
Antennula thinner than antenna, length longer than antenna, bases narrowly separated, consisting of 8 articles; peduncle articles 1 and 2 distinct and articulated; articles 2–3 expanded; extending to middle of pereonite 1. Antenna consisting of 11 articles; extending to middle of pereonite 2. Pereopod 1 basis 1.6 times as long as greatest width; ischium 0.7 times as long as basis; merus proximal margin without bulbous protrusion; carpus with straight proximal margin; propodus 1.4 times as long as wide; dactylus moderately slender, 1.3 times as long as propodus, 2.4 times as long as basal width. Pereopod 7 longer than other pereopods, basis 2.3 times as long as greatest width; ischium 0.8 times as long as basis, without protrusions; merus proximal margin without bulbous protrusion, 1.3 times as long as wide, 0.4 times as long as ischium; carpus 1.3 times as long as wide, 0.4 times as long as ischium, with slight bulbous protrusion; propodus 3.3 times as long as wide, 0.8 times as long as ischium; dactylus slender, 0.9 times as long as propodus, 3.7 times as long as basal width. Uropod longer than the pleotelson, rami subequal. Endopod apically slightly pointed. Exopod apically narrowly rounded.
Not known.
Philippine Islands (
Pleopodias elongatus can be distinguished by the small eyes (each eye a quarter of the cephalon width), antennula bases narrowly separated, antenna extending to the middle of pereonite 2, rounded pleotelson, and uropod rami approximately the same length.
The only other species recorded from the Pacific is P. diaphus (from Japan). Pleopodias elongatus differs from P. diaphus in having antennula bases narrowly separated (P. diaphus bases in contact), shorter antenna (P. diaphus antenna extend to posterior of pereonite 3), absence of robust setae on propodus of pereopod 7 (P. diaphus has numerous acute robust setae), a rounded pleotelson (P. diaphus pleotelson subquadrate with a deeply emarginated medial notch), and smaller eyes (P. diaphus eyes cover a third of the cephalon width).
Pleopodias vigilans Richardson, 1911: 525–526.
Holotype. Female (28 mm TL, 11 mm W), 9 July 1883, collected from the Talisman, St. DR71 (dredge), 640 m depth, coast of Sudan,
Female holotype. Length 28 mm, width 11 mm.
Body elongate, 2.9 times as long as greatest width, dorsal surfaces slightly bumpy, widest at pereonite 4, most narrow at pereonite 1. Cephalon 0.6 times longer than wide, visible from dorsal view, subtriangular. Frontal margin thickened, ventrally folded and truncate. Eyes not clearly defined; one eye 0.4 times width of cephalon, 0.6 times length of cephalon. Pereonite 1 smooth, anterior border slightly irregular, anterolateral angle narrowly rounded. Posterior margins of pereonites smooth and straight. Coxae 2–3 wide, with posteroventral angles rounded; 4–7 small and narrow, extending past pereonite margin. Pereonites 1–4 increasing in length and width; 5–7 decreasing in length and width. Pleonites posterior margin not smooth, mostly concave. Pleonite 1 widest, slightly visible in dorsal view. Pleonite 2 not overlapped by pereonite 7; posterolateral angles of pleonite 2 rounded. Pleonites 3–5 progressively getting smaller; pleonite 5 with posterolateral angles rounded, posterior margin produced medially. Pleotelson 1.2 times as long as anterior width, dorsal surface slightly depressed, lateral margins posteriorly narrow, posterior margin converging to rounded caudomedial point.
Antennula thinner and shorter than antenna, bases widely separated, consisting of 8 articles; peduncle articles 1 and 2 distinct and articulated; extending past the posterior margin of cephalon. Antenna consisting of 11 articles, extending to posterior of pereonite 2. Pereopod 1 basis 1.6 times as long as greatest width; ischium 0.7 times as long as basis; merus proximal margin without bulbous protrusion; carpus with straight proximal margin; propodus 1.5 times as long as wide; dactylus slender, 1.8 times as long as propodus. Pereopod 7 longer than other pereopods, basis 2.4 times as long as greatest width; ischium 0.6 times as long as basis, without protrusions; merus proximal margin without bulbous protrusion, 1.3 times as long as wide, 0.6 times as long as ischium; carpus 1.1 times as long as wide, 0.4 times as long as ischium, without bulbous protrusion; propodus 2.3 times as long as wide, 0.9 times as long as ischium; dactylus slender, 1.1 times as long as propodus, 3.7 times as long as basal width. Uropod longer than the pleotelson; peduncle 0.4 times longer than rami, peduncle lateral margin without setae, apices broadly rounded. Endopod apically rounded, 3.5 times as long as greatest width. Exopod extending beyond posterior of endopod, 5 times as long as greatest width, apically rounded.
Sudan (
Not known.
Pleopodias vigilans can be identified by the antennula bases being widely separated, large eyes occupying majority of the cephalon, antenna extending to posterior of pereonite 2, uropodal exopod longer than endopod, and rounded pleotelson with a caudomedial point.
Only one specimen of this species has ever been collected. Due to the age and condition of the specimen, it was not possible to see some of the characters usually associated with Pleopodias (i.e. robust setae on pereopod 7 etc.).
No figures of the specimen were provided in the original description, and as no other collections have been made since, no drawings of the specimen have ever been produced. This redescription provides the first illustrated figures of P. vigilans and will help future identifications of this species. Fresh collections of this species could prove valuable in adding to this information, along with information on the mouthparts and pleopods of this species.
Holotype. Female (30mm TL; 9mm W), RV Africana Cruise 060 (34°46.6'S 18°02.5'E), Station A7033-060-14-03M, South Africa, 14 March 1988, 702m depth (
Female holotype. Length 30 mm, width 9 mm.
Body narrow, 3.3 times as long as greatest width, dorsal surfaces smooth and polished in appearance, widest at pereonite 5, most narrow at pereonite 1, lateral margins subparallel. Cephalon 0.7 times longer than wide, visible from dorsal view, subtriangular. Frontal margin thickened, ventrally folded and truncate. Eyes oval with distinct margins, one eye almost 0.5 times width of cephalon; 0.6 times length of cephalon. Pereonite 1 smooth, anterior border slightly indented, anterolateral angle narrowly rounded, extend to one third of the eye. Posterior margins of pereonites smooth and slightly curved laterally. Coxae 2–3 wide, with posteroventral angles rounded; 4–7 small and narrow, not extending past pereonite margin. Pereonites 1–5 increasing in length and width; 6–7 decreasing in length and width. Pleonites posterior margin smooth, mostly concave. Pleonite 1 widest, visible in dorsal view. Pleonite 2 not overlapped by pereonite 7; posterolateral angles of pleonite 2 narrowly rounded. Pleonites 3–5 similar in form to pleonite 2; pleonite 5 not overlapped by lateral margins of pleonite 4, posterior margin produced medially. Pleotelson 1.2 times as long as anterior width, dorsal surface slightly depressed, lateral margins straight, posterior margin subtruncate.
Antennula thinner and shorter than antenna, bases widely separated, consisting of 8 articles; peduncle articles 1 and 2 distinct and articulated; extending to anterior of pereonite 1. Antenna consisting of 11 articles, extending to middle of pereonite 2. Pereopod 1 basis 1.4 times as long as greatest width; ischium 0.7 times as long as basis; merus with simple setae, proximal margin without bulbous protrusion; carpus with rounded proximal margin; propodus 1.5 times as long as wide; dactylus moderately slender, 1.7 times as long as propodus, 3.3 times as long as basal width. Pereopod 2 propodus 1.4 times as long as wide; merus with simple setae; dactylus 1.7 times as long as propodus. Pereopod 6 basis twice as long as greatest width, ischium 0.6 times as long as basis, propodus 1.7 times as long as wide, dactylus 1.8 times as long as propodus. Pereopod 7 longer than other pereopods, basis 2.3 times as long as greatest width; ischium 0.8 times as long as basis, without protrusions; merus proximal margin without bulbous protrusion, 1.2 times as long as wide, 0.6 times as long as ischium; carpus with numerous acute robust setae, 1.4 times as long as wide, 0.5 times as long as ischium, without bulbous protrusion; propodus with numerous acute robust setae, 2.8 times as long as wide, as long as ischium; dactylus slender, as long as propodus, 3.5 times as long as basal width. Uropod longer than the pleotelson, peduncle 0.4 times longer than rami, peduncle lateral margin without setae. Endopod apically slightly pointed, 5 times as long as greatest width, terminating without setae. Exopod extending beyond posterior of endopod, apically narrowly rounded, terminating without setae.
Male paratype. Length 20 mm, width 5 mm.
Male similar to female but smaller. Body rectangular, body 3.5 times as long as wide. Antennula bases separated, consisting of 8 articles, extending to posterior margin of cephalon. Antenna consisting of 12 articles, extending to middle of pereonite 2. Eyes slightly separated, one eye almost 0.5 times width of cephalon; 0.7 times length of cephalon.
Named in honour of Dr Niel Bruce, in recognition of his significant contribution to the taxonomy of isopods, specifically that of fish parasitic cymothoids.
Off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa.
Not known.
Pleopodias nielbrucei sp. n. can be identified by the narrow body, large eyes covering majority of the cephalon (almost in contact), antennula bases wide apart, antenna extending to middle of pereonite 2, subtruncate pleotelson, pereopod 7 with numerous acute robust setae on the propodus as well as the carpus, and the uropodal exopod longer than the endopod.
This is the first named Pleopodias species from the southern hemisphere (not including the unknown Pleopodias sp. mentioned below). It differs from the other three known species in having larger eyes and a more elongate body, as well as a shorter and more quadrate pleotelson and antennula bases which are further apart than the other species. Pleopodias nielbrucei sp. n. also has a less graduated pleon (the pleonites do not decrease in width from pleonite 1 to 5 as prominently as P. diaphus and P. elongatus).
Pleopodias elongatus Barnard, 1936: 167–168, fig. 7f–g. (not P. elongatus Richardson, 1910).
Pleopodias sp. Bruce, 1987: 87, figs 1–2.—Trilles, 1994: 109.
Ovigerous female (14.5 mm TL), 232 km north of Port Hedland, Western Australia, 10 Oct 1982, 298-300 m depth, coll: L. Marsh & S. Slack-Smith on FRV Soela (WAM 607-80). Also noted: Specimen is crushed within the tube. Not examined.
Ovigerous female (15.5 mm TL), 370–419 fathoms, north of Andaman Islands (14°13'N; 93°40'E). Not examined.
Andaman Islands and Australia (
Not known.
The project was funded through a Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) Marine Research Grant as well as a Claude Leon Foundation postdoctoral fellowship for KA Hadfield. Anatoliy Levanets, North-West University, is thanked for his translation of the