<i>Mesochra vietnamica</i> sp. nov. (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae), the first record of the genus from Vietnam, with a key to Asian species.

ABSTRACT: A new species of the genus Mesochra Boeck, 1865 was collected from mangrove habitats at the estuary of the Vu Gia-Thu Bon river system, central Vietnam. Mesochra vietnamica sp. nov. is morphologically close to M. oligochaeta Kornev & Chertoprud, 2008, but differs in i) the position of the inner seta on P1 Enp-1, ii) the length/width ratio of P1 Enp-1, iii) the number of elements on the antennary exopod, and iv) the number of setae on P2 Enp-2. The new species belongs to the group of congeners with P1 Enp-1 longer than the entire exopod. A key to the Asian species of Mesochra is provided.

SUBMITTER: Boonyanusith C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12770998 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature