A new asymmetrical near-bottom calanoid copepod, Paramisophria platysoma, with observations of its integumental organs, behavior and in-situ feeding habit
1990
Ohtsuka, S. (Hiroshima Univ., Fukuyama (Japan). Faculty of Applied Biological Science) | Mitsuzumi, C.
A new hyperbenthic calanoid copepod, Paramisophria platysoma collected from the littoral and sublittoral zones on the Pacific coast of Japan is described. The new species has a remarkably asymmetrical body with the left lateral side compressed. However, a SEM examination revealed that the integumental organs of the female cephalothorax are nearly symmetrically distributed. three different patterns of behavior of living copepods were observed using a VHS tape recorder system: 1) usual, continuous swimming with the compressed left lateral side parallel to the bottom, using antennae 2, mandibular palps and maxillae 1; 2) fast "jumping" possibly with flaps of swimming legs; and 3) resting with the left lateral side just on the bottom. The gut content analysis of adult females showed that they fed carnivorously on benthic harpacticoid nauplii and copepodids. Their asymmetrical bodies, peculiar swimming behavior and feeding habit dependent on benthic organisms seem to be adaptations to a hyperbenthic life in shallow waters
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