Lernaeosolea Wilson, 1944 (Chondracanthidae, Copepoda): Morphological Discoveries And New Ocean And Host Records

The parasitic copepod genus Lernaeosolea Wilson, 1944 (Chondracanthidae, Copepoda) is reported for the first time from the Pacific Ocean and the shortjaw eelpout, Lycenchelys jordani (Zoarcidae, Perciformes) based on specimens collected off British Columbia, Canada, and identified as Lernaeosolea cf. lycodis. Microscopic examination of the copepods revealed features previously unknown for Lernaeosolea adult females: namely, a simple mouth anteriorly delimited by a labrum, maxillules, maxillae, maxillipeds, and one pair of vestigial swimming legs. A new diagnosis for Lernaeosolea is provided.