Description of a new tribe cabralcandonini (Candonidae, Ostracoda) from Karst aquifers in central Texas, U.S.A.

Abstract

Cabralcandonini tribe n., with the type genus Cabralcandona gen. n. from an artesian well in the San Marcos, Texas (U.S.A.) and six other genera from karst aquifers in Texas, is proposed as a new tribe of the subfamily Candoninae (Candonidae) (Crustacea, Ostracoda). The new tribe and genus have morphological features that distinguish them from other members of the subfamily. The most diagnostic characteristics of the type genus are (1) two horn-like structures developed on the antero- and postero-dorsal margins of the left valve, (2) numbers of central muscle scars, (3) hexagonal or pentagonal (honeycomb-like) ornamentation on the subrectangular shaped carapace, (4) four segmented second antenna in both sexes, (5) absence of an exopod on A2, (6) shape and size of Y aesthetasc, (7) absence of e, f and g setae on cleaning leg, (8) flagellum (whip-like) uropod morphology, (9) shape of hemipenis, and (10) reduction in number of segments and setae on other limbs. Taxonomic keys for the tribes of the subfamily Candoninae including Cabralcandonini tribe n. are presented.