Allocation of Laophonte trispinosa Sewell to Xanthilaophonte gen. nov. and the description of X. carcinicola spec. nov. (Harpacticoida: Laophontidae)

Laophonte trispinosa Sewell is reported here from various localities in the Indian and the West Pacific Ocean, and is allocated to the herein erected genus Xanthilaophonte gen. nov. A second species, X. carcinicola spec. nov. is described from Indon »sia. The genus Xanthilaophonte gen. nov. is most closely related with Echinolaophonte Nicholls. Both species of this genus live in association with decapods, mainly Xanthidae, and occur on the carapax of their hosts, between the bristles. Comparison of the copepodid development clearly shows that the advanced morphology of Xanthilaophonte gen. nov. resulted from heterochrony events.