REPORT ON ASCIDICOLE COPEPODA COLLECTED DURING THE MELANESIA EXPEDITION OF THE OSAKA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, OSAKA, JAPAN

Abstract

This paper reports on a collection of ascidicole copepods obtained from the ascidians presented by Dr. R.L.A. CATALA, of the Aquarium of Noumea, New Caledonia, to the Melanesia Expedition of the Osaka Museum. The specimens were kindly sent to me by Dr. Takasi TOKIOKA of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory, Sirahama, Japan. Dr. TOKIOKA furnished the identifications of the asci dian hosts; indeed, the copepod specimens were mainly observed and set aside by him in the course of the study of the collection of ascidians. He has published the result of his research on this material (TOKIOKA, 1961). The actual series of specimens of copepods is small, but it is of the greatest interest. The three species belonging to the family Notodelphyidae are all undescribed forms. One of these represents a genus new to science, and one which is particularly remarkable in structural peculiarities in a family already noted for the range of bizarre modifications of body form. These results strongly suggest that a great expansion of our knowledge of this interesting group of copepods awaits the extension of exploration and study of the ascidians of the tropical Indopacific region. I wish to express sincere thanks to Dr. Takasi TOKIOKA for sending me this material and for many kindnesses in connection with the completion of the study.