STAMMERICARIS JAKOBI, 1972 REDEFINED AND A NEW GENUS OF PARASTENOCARIDIDAE (COPEPODA, HARPACTICOIDA)

This study deals with two genera proposed by Jakobi (1972a), i.e., Stammericaris and Phreaticaris. Their species are characterised by the same kind of complex endopod P4 male which is unique within Parastenocarididae and, therefore, regarded as a synapomorphy of these species. In the meantime many more species with this particular endopod P4 male have been described. They fall into two morphologically distinct subgroups. In all species of subgroup A the distal outgrowth on the outer border of the endopod P4 male is an elongate lamella with undulating margins, the P3 male has a short apophysis and the female P3 has a long endopod. In all species of subgroup B the distal outgrowth on the outer border of the endopod P4 male is a plain or feathered seta, the P3 male has a long apophysis and the P3 female has a short endopod. Subgroup B coincides with the definition of both Stammericaris and Phreaticaris. It is, therefore, suggested to synonymise Phreaticaris with Stammericaris. As none of Jakobi's genera fits the definition of subgroup A, it is regarded as a new taxon on the generic level, for which the name Cottarellicaris gen. n. is proposed. Stammericaris stammeri gallicus has nothing to do with Stammericaris stammeri, but is a separate species of the genus Cottarellicaris gen. n. Arguments are presented that Parastenocaris palmerae may belong in the vicinity of the two higher taxa dealt with here.