Redescription of the fish-parasitic isopod Cymothoa ianuarii Schioedte & Meinert, 1884 and further records of C.lexcisa Perty, 1833 and C. oestrum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Isopoda: Cymothoida: Cymothoidae) from Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Cymothoa ianuariiSchioedte & Meinert, 1884 is rediscovered almost 136 years after its original description and redescribed from specimens collected in the state of São Paulo. This species is mainly characterized by adult females with cephalon with conspicuous eyes and not deeply immersed in pereonite 1, pereonites 5-6 much wider than 4, pleotelson twice as wide as long and pleopods 1-5 decreasing in size; Cymothoa excisaPerty, 1833 and C. oestrum (Linnaeus, 1758) are recorded from the state of Bahia. Illustrations and an updated distribution map for these species in Brazil are provided.

Keywords

• Distribution
• Parasitic crustaceans
• Taxonomy
• Fishes
• Cymothoid