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The genus Metridia Boeck, 1864 is widely distributed in the global ocean, but only 9 species of Metridia have been recorded from the China seas. Here we report the rare copepod Metridia bicornuta Davis, 1949 for the first time for the South China Sea. One specimen was collected from the southern basin of the South China Sea (13°0.21′N 113°0.21′E) at depths of 500-800 m. Females of this species differ from those of congeneric species by the following features: (i) Prosome 1.5 times as long as urosome; (ii) forehead with lateral points projecting on both sides; (iii) genital somite 1.8 times as long as the second somite; (iv) distal segment of fifth swimming leg (P5) with a small outer marginal spine and 3 subequal robust terminal setae. This finding expands the known global distribution of M. bicornuta , and increases the number of copepod species in the China seas. Résumé: Le genre Metridia Boeck, 1864 est largement réparti dans l'océan mondial, mais seulement 9 espèces de Metridia ont été rapportées des mers de Chine. Nous signalons ici la présence du copépode rare Metridia bicornuta Davis, 1949 en mer de Chine méridionale pour la première fois. Un spécimen a été collecté du bassin Sud de la Mer de Chine méridionale (13°0.21′N 113°0.21′E) à la profondeur de 500-800 m. Les femelles de cette espèce diffèrent de celles des autres espèces du genre par les caractères suivants : (i) Prosome 1,5 fois aussi long que l'urosome ; (ii) partie frontale avec des pointes latérales faisant saillie des deux côtés ; (iii) somite génital 1,8 fois aussi long que le deuxième somite ; (iv) segment distal de la cinquième patte natatoire (P5) avec une petite épine marginale externe et 3 soies terminales robustes subégales. Cette trouvaille étend la répartition mondiale connue de M. bicornuta , et augmente le nombre des espèces de copépodes des mers de Chine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of the cyclopoid copepod Halicyclops are described from river estuaries of Ariake Bay, Japan. Halicyclops continentalis sp. nov. is most similar to H. laminifer, but differs by the shape of an angular protuberance on the genital double-somite and a serrate hyaline frill of the fourth urosomite. Halicyclops sinensis described by Tai and Chen is widely distributed in China and is identifiable to H. continentalis, indicating that the population in Ariake Bay is probably a continental relict. Halicyclops uncus sp. nov., belonging to the thermophilus group, is distinguishable by the shape of the lateral process on the genital double-somite, a frill of the fourth urosomite and caudal rami; it is probably endemic to Japan. Halicyclops ariakensis sp. nov. differs from the other congeners by a combination of the shape of the prosome, urosomal hyaline frills and caudal ramus length; it is considered endemic to Ariake Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both sexes of Scottolana geei n. sp. (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Canuellidae) are described from the Bohai Sea, China. The species belongs to the longipes -group of Scottolana which includes S. longipes, S. longipes sensu Por (1964), S. longipes sensu Wells (1967), S. longipes sensu Wells and Rao (1987), S. uxoris and S. dissimilis . This lineage can be differentiated from other congeners by the presence of only two postgenital somites in the female and three in the male, the modified P4, the sexual dimorphism of the P3 endopod and caudal rami, the presence of a spinous process on the bases of P2-P4, and the characteristic caudal ramus with hook-like extension along the inner margin and spinular patch near the distal outer corner. S. geei is unique among the Harpacticoida in displaying a nine-segmented antennary exopod. It is most closely related to S. longipes sensu Wells and Rao (1987) from the Andaman Islands. Scottolana bulbifera (Chislenko, 1971) is redescribed in detail on the basis of Bohai Sea material and discrepancies with Chislenko's original description, based on specimens from the Sea of Japan, are re-evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]