The genera Catoessa, Elthusa, Enispa, Ichthyoxenus, Idusa, Livoneca and Norileca n.gen. (Isopoda, Cymothoidae), crustacean parasites of marine fishes, with descriptions of eastern Australian species

Abstract

The genera are recorded for Australia. Full diagnoses are given for Enispa, Livoneca and Norileca n.gen., and provisional diagnoses for the others. Idusa Schiodte and Meinert is rediagnosed to allow separation from Catoessa. All the species described would previously have been placed in Livoneca. Examination of the type material of L. redmanii shows that all other species in the genus except L. bowmani are not congeners and are reassigned where possible to other genera. The genus Livoneca is found to belong to the Anilocrinae. Discussion is given of the genera treated and the problems present in attempting to diagnose subfamilies within the Cymothoidae. Keys are given to the Australian gill attaching genera and the Australian species of the genera Elthusa and Norileca.