Redescription of Moraria (Baikalomoraria) werestschagini Borutzky 1949 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae) from Lake Baikal

• Published in: Biology bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences 2024-12, Vol.51 (7), p.2004-2023
• Main Authors: Alekseeva, T. M., Timoshkin, O. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell Biology; Ecology; Endemic species; Females; Genetic variability; Life Sciences; Littoral zone; Moraria; Mouthparts; Rare species; Scanning electron microscopy; Setae; Spines; Zoology
• ISSN: 1062-3590; 1608-3059
• DOI: 10.1134/S1062359024700523

This report is the second in a series of articles devoted to redescriptions of members of Baikalomoraria based on modern research methods. An illustrated redescription of the female and male of Moraria ( Baikalomoraria ) werestschagini Borutzky 1949, a rather rare endemic harpacticoid species from the littoral zone of Lake Baikal, is presented. Since the type material of the species was lost, it became necessary to select a neotype. For the first time, the morphology of this species has been studied in detail using scanning electron microscopy and the mouthparts and antennules have been redescribed. The description of the swimming legs has been significantly supplemented, and the structure of the genital field has been shown, including data on the morphological variability of the limbs. In addition, we have briefly described the fifth copepodite stages of the male and female. It has been revealed that the fifth copepodite stage of the female bears long apical setae on the caudal rami, while adult females are characterized by short setae more similar to spines.