On the relationships of the Normanellidae and the recognition of Cletopsyllidae grad. nov. (Copepoda, Harpacticoida)

The phylogenetic relationships of the families of the Laophontoidea are re-assessed in the light of new morphological data on the Normanellidae. The taxonomic concept of the latter is restricted to the subfamily Normanellinae which on account of the morphology of antennule, antenna, mandible, P1, P2 and male P6 is regarded as the most primitive lineage within the Laophontoidea. Cladistic analysis has confirmed HUYS' (1990a) phylogenetic scheme for the remaining families.Both sexes of a new genus and species, Bathycletopsyllus hexarthra, are described from 460 m depth off La Reunion. The genus Cletopsyllus Willey is reviewed, resulting in the recognition of two new genera Retrocalcar and Isocletopsyllus which are based on differences in antennule morphology, male leg 5 armature and sexual dimorphism of swimming legs and caudal rami. Cletopsyllus tertius For, 1964 sensu FOR (1967) and C. quartus Soyer, 1966 sensu MARCUS (1976) are considered species inquirendae in Isocletopsyllus whereas Pseudocletopsyllus Vervoort is maintained as genus inquirendum within the Cletopsyllidae. The major morphological transformations and diagnostic characters of the family are reviewed and a key to genera is presented. Swimming leg sexual dimorphism has proved inappropriate for inferring the evolutionary relationships of the Cletopsyllidae which remain enigmatic at present