A new genus and species of the family Ectinosomatidae (Crustacea: Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from the groundwaters of India

Abstract

Rangabradya n. gen. and Rangabradya indica n. sp. from the subterranean freshwaters of India are described. The new genus belongs to a group of genera in the family Ectinosomatidae Sars, 1904 possessing fusiform body shape and it is very similar to the genus Halectinosoma Lang, 1944. The new genus has the exopodite and basiendopodite of the fifth leg completely fused, without surface seta, as well as a characteristic appearance of the antennula, antenna and maxilla. The position of the genus Rangabradya n.gen. within the family Ectinosomatidae is discussed.