2 NEW GENERA OF CYCLOPINID COPEPODS (CRUSTACEA) FROM ANCHIHALINE CAVES ON WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN AND EASTERN ATLANTIC ISLANDS

Troglocyclopina balearica gen nov. sp. nov. and Muceddina multispinosa gen nov. sp. nov. are described from the flooded coastal karst of the Balearic Islands, and from caves on Sardinia, the Balearics, and Lanz arote (Canaries), respectively. Both taxa seem to prefer anchihaline h abitats with water salinities in excess of 18 parts per thousand, alth ough Troglocyclopina has also been found in more reduced salinity case lakes located some distance from the coast. These new taxa are the fi rst cyclopinids to be reported from caves, all previous citations of c yclopinids from hypogean environments relate only to the marine inters titial. The small clutch-size exhibited by Troglocyclopina balearica ( two eggs per sac) and the absence of the exopodal seta on the antenna of Muceddina multispinosa are interpreted as troglomorphic features, i n addition to tile absence of the nauplius eye and the lack of body pi gmentation in body taxa. The derivation of both taxa from shallow-wate r, hyperbenthic marine ancestors is proposed. (C) 1996 The Linnean Soc iety of London