Nitocrellopsis rouchi sp n., a new ameirid harpacticoid from phreatic waters in France (Copepoda : Harpacticoida : Ameiridae)

Ongoing investigation of the interstitial communities of the River Rhone re vealed the presence of a new species of Ameiridae Monard, 1927. Both sexes of Nitocrellopsis rouchi sp. n. are described herein. Re-examination of typ e-material (when available) of Nitocrellopsis ioneli (Dumont & Decraemer, 1 974), N. petkovskii (Rouch, 1987), N. hippocratis (Cottarelli & Forniz, 199 3) and N. hellenica (Cottarelli & Forniz, 1993) and other Nitocrella-relate d genera sensu Petkovski (1976), revealed differences in cephalic appendage morphology between species which are discussed together with the identific ation of some minute morphological characters observed for N. rouchi with t he aid of scanning electron microscopy. A generic diagnosis is given, toget her with type-species designation to make available the generic name. A key to species of Nitocrellopsis gen. mov. is provided.