“Cymbicopia, new genus
Muelleriella Poulsen, 1965:57 [part].
TYPE-SPECIES.—Sarsiella hanseni Brady, 1898.
ETYMOLOGY.—The generic name "Cymbicopia" is derived from the Latin "cymba" [= cup, bowl, boat] and "copia" [ = abundance] in reference to the abundant bristles with cup-shaped tips on the carapace of the type-species.
This new genus contains the following species: C. hanseni, C. hispida (Brady, 1898), C. zealandica (Poulsen, 1965), and C. brevicosta, new species.
DIAGNOSIS OF GENUS.—Carapace with numerous bristles, some forming ridges; bristles of all types but also including those with bulblike or cuplike tips. Rostrum of female prominent on C. hispida and C. zealandica but not on other species; caudal process short on C. hanseni, but elongate on other species. Usual sexual dimorphism.
First antenna: 3rd and 4th joints with long ventral bristles on female and long dorsal bristles on male.
Second antenna: Endopodite of female with 1 or 2 small proximal bristles and long terminal bristle; distinctly 2-jointed or with 2nd joint consisting of small bulge fused to 1st joint (in latter case, endopodite could be considered 1-jointed). Endopodite of male 3-jointed, prehensile.
Mandible: Female exopodite either absent or minute.
Maxilla and 5th limbs: Usual type.
Sixth limb: 3 endites present; end joint with 7 to 14 bristles.
Seventh limb: Female limb with 8 bristles, 6 terminal, 2 proximal, and opposing terminal combs, each with 4 to 8 plain or alate teeth. Male limb of C. hispida short and without bristles or terminal combs, of C. brevicosta elongate with 4 terminal bristles and bare terminus, of C. hanseni similar to that of C. brevicosta but with 1 proximal bristle. Male of C. zealandica unknown, but 7th limb probably similar to that of C. hispida.
Furca: Claws 1 and 2 continuous with lamella, remaining claws separated from lamella by suture except for female of C. hispida on which only claw1 is continuous with lamella; C. hanseni and C. brevicosta with claws 3—7 or 4-7 decreasing in length posteriorly along lamella (C. hanseni with 4 claws, C. brevicosta with 6 or 7), C. zealandica and C. hispida with claw 4 (a main claw) longer and stouter than claw 3, and claws 5-7 or 5-8 decreasing in length posteriorly along lamella.
Eyes: Lateral eyes small with 2 groups of ommatidia.
Rod-shaped organ: 1-jointed, broadening distally, with crinkled margins.
MICROSTRUCTURE.—The carapaces of species of Cymbicopia are coated by an amorphous substance that seems to fill spaces between bristles and in some instances cover them. This substance is transparent when observed on a whole mount or a section. It may be epicuticle and is so called in the descriptions below. The substance seems to shrink during the freeze-drying process used in preparing specimens for the scanning electron microscope. The relationship of the dried epicuticle to bristles is clearly shown in Figure 383f (C. hanseni), Figure 394e,f (C. hitpida), and Figure 397d (C. brevicosla)[cited publication].
Bristles with bulbous tips are present on C.hanseni, C. hispida, and C. brevicosta. The tips of bristles on C. hispida are less bulbous than those on C. hanseni and C. brevicosta. The bulbous tips tend to collapse forming cuplike tips, especially those on C. hanseni. Some bristles on C. hispida have papillae. Unlike most bristles, the bristles with bulbous tips do not appear to emerge from pores in the shell. The jagged tear in the base of the bristle on C. hispida shown in Figure 392c [cited publication] is probably not a pore. The bristles form the ridges which ornament the species. On C. hanseni short bristles with bulbous or collapsed tips occur between ridges.
On a specimen of C. hanseni about to molt, the bristles with bulbous or collapsed tips were erect on the old carapace and lying down on the new carapace. Bristles with branching tips and also bristles with a ribbed broad base were observed on C. hanseni. Some bristles on C. hispida and C. brevicosta have tapering tips. Flat, triangular bristles occur near the base of the ridges on C. hanseni.
REMARKS.—Poulsen (1965:58) included Cymbicopia zealandica in a new genus, Muelleriella along with M. setifera Poulsen, 1965, M. similis (Scott, 1905), and M. gracilis (Scott, 1905). He also stated that possibly C. hanseni and C. hispida should be included in his new genus. I notified Dr. Poulsen that Muelleriella was preoccupied and that a new name would be required. He suggested (written comm., 1970) that I should propose the new name.
In view of Muelleriella not being a valid genus in that Poulsen did not designate a type-species, and in that I do not include either M. setifera, M. similis, or M. gracilis in my new genus Cymbicopia, I find it expedient to ignore Muelleriella at this time.
DISTRIBUTION.—Members of the genus Cymbicopia have been collected only in bays and harbors of New Zealand at depths of 15 m or less.”
(Kornicker, 1975B, p.608-609)
