Towards a revision of the genus Halectinosoma (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Ectinosomatidae): New species from the North Atlantic and Arctic regions

This paper contributes to a revision of the genus Halectinosoma. Four new species are described, based on examination of ectinosomatid material from localities in western Europe, eastern Canada and the Arctic. Halectinosoma mandibularis sp. nov. is distinguishable from other species by the reduced setation of the mouthparts and enlarged mandibular gnathobase. Halectinosoma latisetifera sp. nov. bears an affinity with H. cooperatum but is easily distinguished by the shape of the setae on the female fifth leg. A species previously erroneously ascribed to H. finmarchicum (Scott) by several authors is described here as Halectinosoma kliei sp. nov.Halectinosoma gothiceps (Giesbrecht) is redescribed and the closely related Halectinosoma paragothiceps sp. nov. is described and distinguished from H. gothiceps. It is considered likely that some previous records of H. gothiceps are in error. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London.