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A new commensal ostracod Asterositus ohtsukai n. g., n. sp. (Paradoxostomatidae) on the sea star Sclerasterias euplecta (Fisher) (Asteriidae) and its feeding habits

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Abstract

A new commensal ostracod Asterositus ohtsukai n. g., n. sp. (Podocopida: Cytheroidea: Paradoxostomatidae) is described. This new taxon occurs on the ambulacral grooves and wreath of pedicellariae around superomarginal spines of the sea star Sclerasterias euplecta (Fisher) (Asteroidea: Forcipulatida: Asteriidae). Although the family Paradoxostomatidae Brady & Norman, 1889 contains four ectoparasitic or commensal genera, the association with asteroideans has never hitherto been reported. Morphological observations suggested that A. ohtsukai n. g., n. sp. is closely associated with the host sea star as it typically has distal hooks on the antenna and fifth to seventh limbs, and specialised mandibula and maxillula structures that are considered adaptations to a commensal life-style. In addition, this study discussed the feeding habits of A. ohtsukai n. g., n. sp. based on comparison with previous works. The extremely reduced palp and endites of maxillula of A. ohtsukai n. g., n. sp. imply that they have unique feeding habits that are not based on the feeding function of maxillula. From morphological comparisons with siphonostomatoid copepods, we suggest that A. ohtsukai n. g., n. sp. may feed on the body of host sea star by injuring them with styliform needle-like mandibular coxa and sucking the tissues, body fluid, or mucus with the suctorial disc on the oral cone.

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Acknowledgements

The authors deeply thank Dr. Susumu Ohtsuka, and captain Kazumitsu Nakaguchi and the crews of TRV “Toyoshiomaru” of Hiroshima University for their cooperation and support during the cruise. We are thankful to Dr. David J. Horne for constructive and valuable comments; Dr. Shinnosuke Yamada for advising to us on feeding habit of Paradoxostomatidae; and Dr. Christopher L. Mar for helping to identify the sea star Sclerasterias euplecta. Thanks are also due to the members of the plankton laboratory of Takehara Marine Science Station, Hiroshima University, for their valuable suggestions and continuous assistance; the Editage (http://www.editage.jp/) for the English language review.

Funding

This study was funded in part by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science for Young Scientists (No. 263700, HT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Takehara Marine Science Station, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Minato-machi 5-8-1, Takehara, Hiroshima, 725-0024, Japan

    Hayato Tanaka

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8654, Japan

    Mikihito Arai

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  1. Hayato Tanaka
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Correspondence to Hayato Tanaka.

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Tanaka, H., Arai, M. A new commensal ostracod Asterositus ohtsukai n. g., n. sp. (Paradoxostomatidae) on the sea star Sclerasterias euplecta (Fisher) (Asteriidae) and its feeding habits. Syst Parasitol 94, 263–274 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11230-016-9690-4

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