First clear case of carnivory in marine Copepoda Harpacticoida

Males and females of Ectinosoma carnivora sp. n. from Andros, Bahamas are described. The new species is closely related to E. melaniceps Boeck, 1865 and E. pectinatum Mielke, 1979. A specialized regular slit-shaped glandular pore is described and named the U-pore. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a net of filaments that may cover the whole body of E. carnivora sp. n. It consists of mucus emerging from U-pores. Video investigations show E. carnivora sp. n. and E. melaniceps to be highly mobile and to travel with great velocity in, on and outside the sediment. They exhibit a mode of feeding unreported so far for marine harpacticoid copepods. As observed in laboratory cultures these species are carnivorous and feed on fresh dead ostracods but also on fresh fish meat. When exposed to such food they change their linear movement to what is described here as a helical approach to the food source until contact is established and feeding begins. Carnivory and the ability to locate food sources quickly are believed to be more widespread within the Ectinosomatidae Sars, 1903 and probably are the reason for the great diversity of this family in many different environments.