Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Family PORCELLIDIIDAE Boeck, 1865

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Family PORCELLIDIIDAE Boeck, 1865


Compiler and date details

June 2014 - ABRS, following recent publications by Vernon Harris (2014a,b,c)

31 May 2007 - G.K. Walker-Smith & K. Chilton-Lahey

Introduction

A series of three papers by Harris (2014a,b,c) have revised Australian Porcellidiidae. These bring the totals [in June 2014) for the Australian fauna to 15 genera and 35 species. The introductory remarks written for the 2007 treatement of this family, although now out of date, are retained here for the present, since they detail and explain historic decisions.

"The family Porcellidiidae Boeck, 1865 [in 2007] comprise[d] 41 species in the genus Porcellidium Claus, 1860 and relatively few others in five smaller genera (Harris 1994; Harris & Robertson 1994; Harris & Iwasaki 1996; Harris & Iwasaki 1997; Walker-Smith 2001; Harris 2002).

In 2001, a new species of Porcellidiidae, Porcellidium poorei was described from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia (Walker-Smith 2001). This species was found commonly on the seagrass Heterozostera tasmanica (Martens ex Ascherson) den Hartog and is the first species of Porcellidium described from Victoria. Harris (1994) and Harris and Robertson (1994) had described 18 species of Porcellidiidae from New South Wales, however, Huys et al. (1996) questioned the validity of several of these genera. In a review of the family, Walker-Smith (2001) synonymised five of the genera erected by Harris (1994) and Harris and Robertson (1994) and emended the family level diagnosis of Huys et al. (1996). The recent publication of a new genus of Porcellidiidae, Dilatatiocauda Harris, 2002, has prompted changes to the generic level key written by Walker-Smith (2001) and a rediagnosis of Porcellidium.

A series of three papers by Harris (2014a,b,c) have revised Australian Porcellidiidae. These bring the totals for the Australian fauna to 15 genera and 37 species.

Database Notes

In the past, authorship of the Porcellidiidae has been attributed to Sars, 1904 (Lang, 1948; Bodin, 1997) and Brady, 1880 (Huys and Boxshall, 1991; Huys et al., 1996). However, in Boeck's (1865) diagnosis of Porcellidina, (which he established as one of the eight “Afdelinger” within the family Harpactidae) it is clear that he intended to regard Porcellidium as the type of a new subfamily (p. 251). Today, “Afdeling”, would be regarded as a family-group name, probably of the rank of subtribe (with suffix -ina). In accordance with the Principle of Coordination applied to family-group names (ICZN Art. 36.1) Boeck (1865) should be considered as the authority of the family Porcellidiidae as authorship and date remain unchanged at every rank.

The validity of genera.-Huys et al. (1996) questioned the validity of the nine genera of Porcellidiidae erected by Harris and colleagues (see Harris, 1994; Harris and Robertson, 1994; Harris and Iwasaki, 1996b; Harris and Iwasaki, 1997; Harris, 2002). In the absence of autapomorphies to distinguish them, Walker-Smith (2001) synonymised several of these genera with Porcellidium. Harris and Robertson (1994) identified seven characters states they believed to be diagnostic at the generic level. Only one of these character states (the absence of a hyaline border on the cephalothorax) is an autapomorphy. One of the character states listed (male P5 with one terminal seta) does not seem to occur in any described Porcellidiidae. The three characters most frequently used to separate species into new genera were: the presence or absence of a ventral blade on the male antennule; the presence of two or three setae on the male P2 endopod-3; and the maxillule endopod with two or six setae. However, as these character states are shared between several genera they could not be used as evidence for creating new genera. It appeared, for the most part, that Harris and his colleagues based descriptions of new genera on a unique combination of characters rather than on autapomorphies.

Genera synonymised (by Walker-Smith, 2001) with Porcellidium.-Murramia contained two species. In the original diagnosis Harris (1994) characterised the genus by the absence of a ventral blade on the male antennule and the presence of three setae on the male P2 endopod-3. While the combination of these character states was unique, the character states themselves were not. The ventral blade was absent in Clavigofera, Kensakia Harris and Iwasaki, 1997 (syn Porcellidium), Kushia, Mucrorostrum (syn. Porcelldium) and the 'naviculum' subgroup (Harris and Robertson, 1994) of Porcellidium. The presence of three setae on the male P2 endopod-3 was also seen in Clavigofera, Mucrorostrum, Kioloaria (syn. Porcellidium) and Porcellidium ravanae. As there were no unique apomorphies uniting the species within Murramia, I considered it to be a synonym of Porcellidium.
Acutiramus Harris and Robertson, 1994 contained five species. Originally the genus was established on the basis of the rhomboid shaped caudal rami (with oblique terminal border and apical fourth seta) and fifth legs (P5) which are long and wrap beyond the caudal rami. However, the genus Kioloaria (syn. Porcellidium), also possessed these character states. Kioloaria was distinguished from Acutiramus (syn. Porcellidium) because the male P2 endopod-3 of Acutiramus had two setae and in Kioloaria it had three. These two genera could be united with shared character states being the shape of the caudal rami and the length of P5, but if this was the case Porcellidium ravanae and Kensakia would also have to be included in the group as they also have rhomboid shaped caudal rami. However, the fifth limbs (P5) of P. ravanae and Kensakia do not touch each other. Porcellidium ravanae has male P2 endopod-3 with three setae and Kensakia has male P2 endopod-3 with two setae. Although the rhomboid shaped caudal rami could be used to unite these four taxa into a single genus, I don't believe there is sufficient evidence to support this. There are no other shared character states and the setation of the caudal rami varies between these taxa. On the caudal rami of Acutiramus and Kioloaria seta 2 and 3 are present, seta 3 is missing in P. ravanae and seta 2 and 3 are missing in Kensakia. I believe Acutiramus, Kioloaria and Kensakia are synonyms of Porcellidium. Kensakia was a monotypic genus.
Mucrorostrum was a monotypic genus defined on the presence of only two setae on the maxillule endopod and three setae on the male P2 endopod-3. While this was a unique combination of character states, these states were found in other genera. The presence of only two setae on the maxillule endopod was found in Brevifrons and the presence of three setae on the male P2 endopod-3 is found in Clavigofera, Murramia and Kioloaria. The male of Mucrorostrum did exhibit the unusual feature of having a pointed rostrum and a cephalothorax that was not truncated, but I believed this to be a species level difference and thus synonymised the genus with Porcellidium.

Valid genera.-Brevifrons is a monotypic genus characterised by the absence of dorsal pits on the cephalothorax and the presence of a honeycomb-like pattern of raised ridges. The cephalothorax of the female is truncated and its ventrally directed rostrum is obscured, a character state usually associated with males. These character states are unique within the Porcellidiidae and the genus is therefore maintained. Harris (1994) also defined the genus on the presence of only two setae on the endopod of the maxillule, but this state is shared with Mucrorostrum and thus cannot be considered as a generic character state.
Tectacingulum contains two species that lack a true hyaline border to the cephalothorax. According to Harris (1994: p. 338) the “lateral border of the cephalothorax has migrated ventrally to form a new ventral border (which contains sensory setae)”, resulting in the disappearance of the true hyaline fringe. This autapomorphy supports validity of the genus.
Clavigofera containing five species, has two distinctive autapomorphies, the presence of lateral striations on the urosome, and caudal rami with evenly spaced, identical, pinnately lanceolate terminal setae. This type of seta differs from the slender pinnate setae of other species as the pinnules arise from a clear lateral expansion of the shaft. This genus is valid.
Kushia, containing three species, is defined by the presence of a wide leaf-like ventral expansion of the female P5 that lies under the lateral edge of the urosome, the insertion of the gg seta on the ventral side along the bevelled lateral edge of the caudal ramus and the presence of a conspicuous comb on the accessory lobe of the male antennule. Harris and Iwasaki, (1996b) stated that this comb is clearly visible whether the antennule dactyl is open or closed and it is attached to the base of the accessory lobe and associated d seta. It should not be confused with the proximal coupling denticle (a curved comb-like claw) of male Porcellidium ofunatense Harris and Iwasaki, 1996a, P. kiiroum Harris and Iwasaki, 1996a or P. akashimum Harris and Iwasaki, 1996a. These character states are all unique to this genus thus I seen no reason to synonymise it.
Dilatatiocauda contains seven species, which share the following character states: maxillipeds widely spaced and lacking a fimbriate edge and fimbriate process; labrum with comb plates; P3 and P4 endopod-3 with a straight, spine-like terminal seta. The shape and setation of the caudal rami is also unique to this genus (Harris, 2002)." (Walker-Smith 2007)

 

Diagnosis

Amendments to the family level diagnosis of Huys et al. (1996).
In their recent diagnosis of the family Huys et al. (1996) stated the male P2 endopod-3 has two setae, but this is not always the case. The species Porcellidium ravanae Thompson & A. Scott, 1903, P. sesquimaculata (Harris, 1994), P. magna (Harris, 1994), P. bicincta (Harris, 1994), P. yoroium (Harris & Iwasaki, 1997) and the species of Clavigofera, possess three setae (one serrulate spinose and two plumose) on the male P2 endopod-3. Dilatatiocauda tristanense (Wiborg, 1964) and D. planum (Tiemann, 1977) have four setae (one serrulate spinose and three plumose) on the male P2 endopod-3. The endopod of the maxillule has six setae in all genera except Brevifrons Harris, 1994 and P. yoroium where only two setae are found. This character state also needs to be added to the diagnosis of Porcellidiidae written by Huys et al. (1996).

A revised diagnosis is provided by Harris (2014a: 65).

 

ID Keys

See Harris (2014c:186–195).

Prior to addition by Harris (2014b,c) of further new genera, the key to the world genera of Porcellidiidae was as follows.

1.Maxillipeds widely separated in the mid-line, fimbriate edge and fimbriate process absent...................................................................................Dilatatiocauda Harris 2002
-Maxillipeds, coxal lobes meet in the mid-line, fimbriate edge and fimbriate process
present ...............................................................................................................................2
2.Cephalothorax with dorsal pits........................................................................................3
-Cephalothorax without dorsal pits, instead surface covered with honeycomb-like
pattern of raised ridges..............................................................Brevifrons Harris, 1994
3.Caudal rami with terminal setae 1-4 evenly spaced, pinnately lanceolate and
identical in size and shape; striated lateral patch on urosome
............................................................................Clavigofera Harris and Iwasaki, 1996b
-Caudal rami with terminal setae 1-4 not evenly spaced, and of different sizes and
shapes. Seta-2 and/or -3 may be missing; no striated lateral patch on urosome ......4
4.Male antennule with conspicuous comb on accessory lobe; g seta of female caudal
rami inserted ventrally.................................................Kushia Harris and Iwasaki, 1996b
- Male antennule without conspicuous comb on accessory lobe; g seta of female caudal
rami inserted laterally............................................................................................................5
5. Cephalothorax without true hyaline border. Ventral border with sensory setae present .....................................................................................................Tectacingulum Harris, 1994
-Cephalothorax with true hyaline border. Ventral border absent...............................................................................................Porcellidium Claus, 1860

 

General References

Boeck, A. 1865. Oversigt over de ved Norges Kyster jagttagne Copepoder henhörende til Calanidernes, Cyclopidernes og Harpactidernes Familier. Bulletin of the Mauritius Institute 1864: 226-282

Claus, C. 1860. Beiträge zur Kenntis der Entomostraken. Marburg Vol. 1 pp. 1-28.

Harris, V.A. 1994. New species belonging to the family Porcellidiidae (Harpacticoida: Copepoda) from Kioloa, New South Wales, Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 46: 303-340

Harris, V.A. 2002. A new genus belonging to the family Porcellidiidae (Crustacea: Copepoda: Harpacticoida) with three new species from Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 54: 1-24

Harris, V.A. 2014a. Porcellidiidae of Australia (Harpacticoida, Copepoda). I. A Reassessment of the European Species of Porcellidium. Records of the Australian Museum 66(2): 63–110

Harris, V.A. 2014b. Porcellidiidae of Australia (Harpacticoida, Copepoda). II. The importance of the male antennule in taxonomy. Records of the Australian Museum 66(2): 111–166

Harris, V.A. 2014c. Porcellidiidae of Australia (Harpacticoida, Copepoda). III. Synopsis of genera and species. Records of the Australian Museum 66(2): 167–196 [Date published 2 April 2014]

Harris, V.A. & Iwasaki, N. 1996. Two new genera belonging to the family Porcellidiidae (Crustacea, Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from Iwate Prefecture, Japan. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Tokyo 22(3): 133-152

Harris, V.A. & Robertson, H.M. 1994. New species belonging to the family Porcellidiidae (Harpacticoida: Copepoda) from the southern coast of New South Wales, Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 46: 257-301

Harris, V.A.P. & Iwasaki, N. 1997. A new species of Porcellidium and two new genera belonging to the family Porcellidiidae (Crustacea, Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from Iwate Prefecture, Japan. Bulletin of the National Science Museum, Tokyo A 23: 131-147

Huys, R., Gee, J.M., Moore, C.G. & Hamond, R. 1996. Marine and Brackish Water Harpacticoid Copepods. Shrewsbury : Field Studies Council Vol. 1 352 pp.

Huys, R., Gee, J.M., Moore, C.G. & Hamond, R. 1996. Marine and Brackish Water Harpacticoid Copepods. Shrewsbury : Field Studies Council Vol. 1 352 pp. [304-309]

Walker-Smith, G.K. 2001. Porcellidium poorei, a new species of Porcellidiidae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from seagrass in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia, and a review of the family. Journal of Crustacean Biology 21: 653-664

Walker-Smith, G.K. 2001. Porcellidium poorei, a new species of Porcellidiidae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from seagrass in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia, and a review of the family. Journal of Crustacean Biology 21: 653-664 [653-664]

Walker-Smith, G.K. 2003. The harpacticoid copepod fauna of Port Phillip Bay (Victoria, Australia) and their contribution to the diet of juvenile King George whiting (Sillaginodes punctata: Sillaginidae). PhD Thesis. The Zoology Department, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 278 pp. [127-142]

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
26-Jun-2023 COPEPODA H. Milne Edwards, 1840 13-Dec-2024 MODIFIED
19-Jun-2014 PORCELLIDIIDAE Boeck, 1865 13-Dec-2024 MODIFIED ABRS
26-Jul-2012 26-Jul-2012 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)