REPORT ON SOME COPEPODA COLLECTED DURING THE MELANESIA EXPEDITION OF THE OSAKA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Abstract

The present report is based on a small sample of copepods, mainly Harpacticoida, obtained together with ascidians at Noumea, New Caledonia, during the Melanesia Expedition of the Osaka Museum, Japan. The specimens were kindly placed at my disposal by Dr. Takasi TOKIOKA of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory, Sirahama, Japan; they were mainly obtained from the bottom of collecting bottles with ascidians studied by Dr. TOKIOKA. Though there is no definite information concerning the conditions under which the species of copepods actually lived there is evidence to suggest that the majority is bottom living. There are some accidentally introduced pelagic species whilst there is reason to suggest that at least one of the species (Paramplnascella pacifica nov. spec.) is actually associated with ascidians. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Takasi TOKIOKA, who kindly placed this small but interesting collection at my disposal. Though the number of species is small the percentage of new forms is fairly high and the inspection of this more or less incidentally collected sample of copepods once more proves the very incomplete knowledge of the Pacific harpacticoid copepods.