A New Species of Ostracod (Crustacea) Associated with a Feather Star: First Report of Ostracoda from Crinoidea

We describe Obesostoma crinophilum sp. nov. (Ostracoda: Podocopida: Paradoxostomatidae) obtained from the body surface of the feather star Antedon serrata A. H. Clark, 1908 (Crinoidea: Comatulida: Antedonidae). This is the first report of Ostracoda associated with Crinoidea. None of the highly specialized appendages and/or carapace that are related to a commensal lifestyle were observed in O. crinophilum sp. nov. Therefore, the relationship between O. crinophilum sp. nov. and A. serrata must be transient rather than obligatory. However, O. crinophilum sp. nov. has a more developed hook-like distal claw on the antenna in comparison with four previously known Obesostoma species. The relatively well-developed distal claw of the antenna in O. crinophilum sp. nov. should indicate its intimate association with feather stars, though the feeding habit is still unknown.