Parastenocaris brevipes Kessler, 1913

KARPOWICZ, Maciej, 2016, New data to the knowledge on the Harpacticoida (Crustacea, Copepoda) fauna in Poland, Fragmenta Faunistica 59 (2), pp. 87-98 : 89

Parastenocaris brevipes Kessler, 1913

( Figs 1–3 )

L o c a t i o n, e c o l o g y. Parastenocaris brevipes was usually found in peatbogs surrounding dystrophic lakes in Wigry National Park, i.e. Suchar II, Suchar Wielki. The species has so far been known only from the Masurian Lakeland in Poland ( Drzycimski 1985).

G e ne r a l d i s t r i b u t i o n a nd b i o l o g y. Whole Europe. Geographic distribution of P. brevipes is likely influenced by the distribution of sphagnous peat bogs, the preferred habitat of the species ( Borutzky 1952).

D i s t i n g u i s h i n g f e a t u r e s. Length without caudal setae 0.4–0.5 mm. Body vermiform, all somites with almost equal width ( Fig. 1 ). Caudal rami narrow ( Fig. 3 ), nearly as long as anal somite ( Fig. 1 ). Antennule seven-segmented, long second segment with three parallel setae ( Fig. 2 ). Swimming legs very short with slender joints ( Borutzky 1952).

Figures

Figs 1–3. Parastenocaris brevipes: 1 – dorsal view, female; 2 – antennules, female; 3 – caudal rami, female. Figs 4–7. Nitokra hibernica: 4 – dorsal view, female; 5 – antennules, female; 6 – caudal rami, female; 7 – fifth leg, female. Figs 8–9. Moraria brevipes: 8 – dorsal view, male; 9 – caudal rami, male. Figs 10–11. Attheyella (Brehmiella) trispinosa: 10 – endopodit and exopodit of first leg, female;11 – female and male form a tandem. Figs 12–13. Elaphoidella gracilis: 12 – habitus, dorsal view, female; 13 – caudal rami, female.