A new species of Laophontella Thompson IC & Scott A, 1903 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Tetragonicipitidae) from Korea, with notes on copepodid V stage

A new species of the benthic harpacticoid genus Laophontella Thompson IC & Scott A, 1903 (Tetragonicipitidae), collected from intertidal habitats along the coast of Korea, is described. Laophontella changi sp. nov. is clearly distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: a seven-segmented female antennule, a ventral cuticular expansion with an undulating edge on the first free abdominal somite of females, a C-shaped proximal dorsolateral expansion and auriform lateral elevation on the caudal rami of females, a markedly elongate inner seta on P 4 exp - 2, and a hoe-shaped outer spine on the P 3 endopod of males.

The copepodid V stage is also described, allowing assessment of developmental changes and the retention of morphological characters. Detailed morphological examination reveals previously overlooked characters with potential diagnostic value at both the genus and species levels.