2 ELECTROPHORETIC MORPHS OF THE ECTOPARASITE COPEPOD CHONDRACANTHUS-PSETTI KROYER, 1863 (COPEPODA, CHONDRACANTHIDAE) IN THE SMALL-EYED FLATFISH PARALICHTHYS-MICROPS (PISCES, PARALICHTHYIDAE)

The genetic variation of the copepod Chondracanthus psetti, ectoparasi te of the small-eyed flatfish Paralichthys microps was, investigated b y horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Nine enzymatic systems with t hirteen loci were tested, Four had equal electrophoretic mobility, and nine had differences significant enough to be considered diagnostic l oci to separate copepods into two different groups. Based on this gene tic differentiation, we report that two species are included within th e copepod C. psetti. The importance of differential microhabitat utili zation in the speciation process of both morphs of C. psetti found is discussed.