Prehendocyclops, a new genus of the subfamily Halicyclopinae (Copepoda, Cyclopoida, Cyclopidae) from cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Prehendocyclops, a new genus of Halicyclopinae, is described from cenotes o f the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Within the subfamily, the new genus resemb les Halicyclops, Colpocyclops, and Smirnoviella in body shape as well as st ructure of the antennule and legs 1 to 5. In addition, Prehendocyclops shar es with the latter two genera modifications in the antenna and mouth parts, which are here interpreted as structures used to hold onto some external p art of a host. The possible host for the genus remains unknown. Prehendocyc lops is characterized mainly in having an antennal prehensile device formed by a stout curved spine on the third segment, and the three proximalmost a ppendages of the terminal segment modified into stout, heavily serrate spin es; the distalmost spine of these is claw-shaped. In addition, on the praec oxal arthrite of the maxillule the two outermost apical spines are curved t owards a strong, straight, pointed spine inserted on the inner surface of t he arthrite. The three species of Prehendocyclops described here (P. monche nkoi, P. boxshalli, and P abbreviatus) can be separated from each other by a combination of characters found in the integumental pore pattern of the b ody surface and legs 1-4, the number of tergal integumental windows, the sh ape of the seminal receptacle, and the armament of the caudal ramus, antenn a, mouth parts, and legs 1, 4, and 5 of both sexes, as well as legs 5 and 6 of males.