Phylogenetic revision of Echinolaophonte Nicholls (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Laophontidae T. Scott) including the establishment of two new genera and two new species

Abstract

The record of a new species of Echinolaophonte Nicholls, 1941 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Laophontidae) from Jeju Island (Korea) formed the basis for a detailed and exhaustive phylogenetic revision of the genus. Comparison of all 15 species currently assigned to Echinolaophonte (including the new Korean species) revealed that its current composition cannot be maintained. The phylogenetic relationships within Echinolaophonte were elucidated through the analysis of 135 morphological characters and the inclusion of four outgroups. As a result, four species were removed from Echinolaophonte and placed in two new genera: Parechinolaophonte gen. nov. for E. tropica Ummerkutty, 1970 and Pseudechinolaophonte gen. nov. for E. minuta Cottarelli & Forniz, 1991, E. mordoganensis Kuru, Sönmez & Karaytug, 2019 and E. veniliae Cottarelli, Forniz & Bascherini, 1992. Echinolaophonte longantennata Apostolov, 1990 had to be excluded from the analysis, due to the fragmentary and imprecise description. Accordingly, the phylogenetic relationships of the ten species remaining in Echinolaophonte are clarified. The new Korean species is described as Echinolaophonte musa sp. nov. Furthermore, the subspecies E. armiger f. briani Lang, 1965 is elevated to species rank as E. briani Lang, 1965. A detailed phylogenetic discussion is provided and a key to the species of Echinolaophonte is given.