Discovery of Brachiella lageniformis (Copepoda: Lernaeopodidae) in the Canadian Pacific and its Significance to Zoogeography of the Genus Merluccius (Pisces: Teleostei)

Abstract

Brachiella lageniformis, hitherto known only from the Atlantic coast of Argentina, was found off the east coast of Vancouver Island, on the gills of Merluccius productus. Both male and female are described and illustrated in detail. The significance of this find for Szidat's views on the origin of the genus Merluccius is discussed. A proposal is made to suppress the genus Parabrachiella and to place all its five species (P. rostrata, P. insidiosa, P. australis, P. spinicephala, and P. incurva) in the genus Brachiella.