Geddesia, Harris, 2014

Harris, Vernon A., 2014, Porcellidiidae of Australia (Harpacticoida, Copepoda). III. Synopsis of Genera and Species, Records of the Australian Museum 66 (2), pp. 167-196 : 177

Genus Geddesia gen. nov.

Porcellidium .— Geddes, 1968: 11.

Type species. Geddesia quadrata sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Male antennule unique, no denticle or comb on segment 3, two serrate denticles and two spherical structures on segment 4; female cephalosome truncated anteriorly, male deeply concave anteriorly; hyaline border to lateral edge; no dorsal organ with cuticular honeycomb; no ridge plates or setules on labrum; female caudal ramus pentagonal, medial corner 90°, posterior border between T2 and T4 straight, T3 absent; maxillule endopod with six setae; coxae of maxillipeds touch in mid-line; female P5 exopod without ventral expansion, not truncated posteriorly, dorsal and apical setae not pinnate.

Species composition. Geddesia trisetosa ( Geddes, 1968) comb. nov.; Geddesia quadrata sp. nov.

Etymology. The genus is named after Dr D. C. Geddes.

Remarks. The genus is defined on the unique structure of the male antennule, number of setae on maxillule endopod and absence of T3 seta on caudal ramus (compare with Mucrorostrum , Clunia and Brevifrons ).

Geddes’ Porcellidium trisetosum is included here on the assumption that its maxillule exopod has six setae (Geddes states that “…mouthparts like those of P. viride (Philippi) as described by Sars (1911)”, this implies six setae on the maxillule, Geddes (1968: 11).

The genus is known from Bahamas and Great Barrier Reef, Australia.