On the genus Candonopsis (Crustacea: Ostracoda: Candoninae) in Australia, with a key to the world recent species

Abstract

In the present paper Candonopsis murchisoni n. sp., C. dani n. sp., C. williami n. sp., C. kimberleyi n. sp., and C. westaustraliensis n. sp., are described, while C. tenuis (Brady, 1886) is redescribed. All species have been collected in the subterranean waters of Western Australia. The new species are easily distinguishable from the existing world species in details of the carapace, walking leg, cleaning leg, furca and hemipenis. Because of new features found, revised diagnosis and a key to the world species are provided. Some species, previously described in the genus Candonopsis Vavra, 1891, are considered as incertae sedis, while others are removed from this genus, which now contains 25 species. Finally, the authors propose the elevation of the subgenera Caribecandona Broodbakker, 1983 and Cubacandona Broodbakker, 1983 to the generic level.