REVISION OF THE GENUS MURUNDUCARIS (COPEPODA: HARPACTICOIDA: PARASTENOCARIDIDAE), WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SPECIES FROM SOUTH AMERICA

The genus Murunducaris, previously represented by a single species (M. juneae) collected in a hillside flush marsh near Brasilia, Brazil, is revised here. The description of M. juneae is emended. Three additional species are assigned to the genus, and its geographical distribution is considerably expanded, Murunducaris noodii n. sp., from the vicinity of Arequipa (Peru), and M. loyolai n. sp., from the island of the city of Florianopolis (Santa Catarina, Brazil) are new to science. Murunducaris dactyloides (formerly Parastenocaris dactyloides), from the Tapajos River, near the city of Santarem (Para, Brazil) is redescribed and its assignment to this genus is supported by synapormorphies. The diagnosis of the genus Murunducaris is emended. The phylogenetic affinities of species of Murunducaris to other members of the family are briefly discussed.