A new species of Pandaridae (Copepoda), from the whale shark Rhincodon typus (Smith)

The copepod Pandarus rhincodonicus sp. nov. (Copepoda: Pandaridae), collect ed from whale sharks, Rhincodon typus (Smith, 1828) (Orectolobiformes: Rhin codontidae), swimming off the North West Cape of Western Australia, is desc ribed. Pandarus rhincodonicus is closely related to Pandarus cranchii Leach , 1819. However, P. rhincodonicus differs from P. cranchii in: the armature of the posterior margin of the cephalon; the plates of segment 2 extend al most to the limit of segment 4; the shape of the caudal rami and shape of t he dorsal abdominal plate; and the distribution and numbers of spines and s etae on thoracic appendages. It is suggested that P. rhincodonicus is a com mensal.