Copterus tyloloricatus (Ciliophora, Suctorea), a new suctorian genus and species

Abstract

We present the description of the new suctorian genus Copterus gen. n. with type species Copterus tyloloricatus sp. n. from the family Acinetidae, inhabiting the prosomes and urosomes of calanoid copepods from the northern North Pacific Ocean. The new taxon is characterized by (i) an ellipsoidal to triangular, asymmetric, dorsoventrally flattened cell body, which lies horizontally on the lorica surface; (ii) an unflattened lorica; and (iii) the presence of three to five radially arranged bundles of tentacles positioned at the edge of the body or on actinophores.