NEW SUPERFAMILY OF CALANOIDA (COPEPODA) FROM AN ANCHIALINE CAVE IN THE BAHAMAS

A new calanoid copepod, Fosshagenia ferrarii, new genus, new species, was found in plankton samples collected in an anchialine cave of Caico s Islands, Bahamas. A combination of features found in this species se parates it as the type of a new superfamily. The new taxon can be dist inguished by a combination of several relevant taxonomic characteristi cs, such as the fusion of antennular segments 8 and 9, the right anten nule modified in the male, less than 3 endopodal segments on the first legs, the presence of a uniramous female fifth leg, a male fifth leg forming a complex grasping organ, reduced mouthparts, and the presence of only 1 seta on the middle endopodal segment of legs 3 and 4. The n ew taxon appears to be more closely related to fresh- and brackish-wat er forms (Centropagoidea) than to any other hitherto known; anchialine copepod group. The type species can be distinguished by the presence of lateral processes on the genital double-somite of the female and on the first urosomal somite of the male. It is the smallest of the know n anchialine calanoid species. This small species, a predator in the w ater column, diverges from other anchialine copepods which are bottom- dwellers.