Twenty years later: biodiversity of marine symbiotic Siphonostomatoida (Copepoda) off Southern Africa
In: Zootaxa. Magnolia Press: Auckland. ISSN 1175-5326; e-ISSN 1175-5334, more
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| Keywords |
Crustacea [WoRMS]; Siphonostomatoida [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Crustacea; Siphonostomatoids; parasitic; vertebrates; invertebrates; oceans |
| Abstract |
Siphonostomatoida (Copepoda) consists of 40 families of symbionts infecting vertebrates (17 families) and invertebrates (23 families) found mostly in marine habitats. In 2004, a list was compiled of all the reported families, genera and species symbiotic with marine fish in Southern African waters. Since this was done 20 years ago, it is necessary to re-evaluate the progress made in 20 years regarding our knowledge of the diversity of marine siphonostomatoids. To assess the current knowledge, the 2004 list was updated with reports published since 2004 as well as with new host and locality records including species with changes in taxonomy. Additionally, species collected but unreported as well as species previously reported but with new hosts and/or localities were also added. Currently reports include 16 families, 75 genera and 234 species. However, amongst these are reports of only two families (3 species) infecting invertebrates. Even though the report includes 71 additional species it still compares poorly with the about 2 274 accepted species, especially regarding species infecting invertebrates. Considering South Africa’s wealth in possible marine host species, examination of more hosts (especially marine teleosts and invertebrates) will definitely result in an increase in the current knowledge about the biodiversity of marine siphonostomatoids off Southern Africa. |
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