A review of the family Lernaeodiscidae (Cirripedia : Rhizocephala). I. Thegenus Lernaeodiscus Muller, 1862: New synonymy, hosts, range extensions, and the description of a new species

Rhizocephalan barnacles of the genus Lernaeodiscus Muller, 1862, are uncomm on external parasites of galatheid and porcellanid crabs, and most species are poorly known. Based on a thorough review of the literature and examinat ion of new material, we summarize taxonomic and biogeographic knowledge abo ut this genus. We report significant geographic range extensions and new ho sts and correct or complete several identifications of both hosts and paras ites previously reported in the literature. We present evidence that L. cre natus Boschma, 1969, is synonymous with L. porcellanae Muller, 1862, and th at Atlantic and Pacific specimens of L. porcellanae are probably different species. Lernaeodiscus tableta n. sp. is described from specimens parasitiz ing the porcellanid Aliaporcellana suluensis from Indonesia.