Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum Crustacea
Class Copepoda
Order Calanoida
Family Epacteriscidae

Bofuriella vorata Fosshagen, Boxshall & Iliffe, 2001

	Bofuriella vorata: after Fosshagen et al., 2001

Taxonomic Characterization: The structure of the urosome, the arrangement of the caudal setae, the powerfully developed maxilliped with its massive claw-like spines and the male fifth leg serve as distinguishing characteristics. Caudal seta II is spinous, seta V is subequal on each side and seta VI on the left side is broadened at the base with a small unilateral tuft of setules. The female urosome is 4-segmented with the anal somite being only slightly shorter than the preceding somite and the genital double-somite being produced ventrally, broadest in the middle with the genital aperture located posteroventrally. The male urosome is 5-segmented and the genital somite is shorter than the second urosomite and the anal somite is two thirds the length of the preceding somite. The male fifth leg possesses a left basis that is produced into a process at the inner distal corner and the right basis is produced proximally into a long, club-shaped structure. The maxilliped is more powerfully developed than any other epacteriscid.

Disposition of Specimens: All specimens were deposited in the Museum of Natural History, London: female holotype BM(NH) 1998.2242; paratypes BM(NH) 1998.2243-44.

Ecological Classification: Stygobitic

Size: Body length of females 1.65 and 1.71 mm; male 1.53 mm.

Number of Species in Genus: One

Species Range: This species was originally described from Oven Rock Cave in the Great Guana Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas. A new record of one copepodid stage V has been made at Sanctuary Blue Hole on South Andros Island (Fosshagen & Iliffe, 2004).

Closest Related Species: B. vorata is closest to Bomburiella gigas, also from the Bahamas. Characters of the antennule are shared between the two and not found in other epacteriscids.

Habitat: Anchialine limestone caves

Ecology: Specimens were collected at depths of 0-18 m using a plankton net and suction bottle. The species was found in occurrence with Oinella longiseta and B. gigas. The morphology of its mouthparts suggest that it is a raptorial feeder.  Sanctuary specimen was collected between 35-50 m depth.

Life History: 2 females, 1 male and 1 male copepodid V were collected from Oven Rock. An additional copepodid V stage specimen came from Sanctuary Blue Hole.

Conservation Status: Restricted to two anchialine caves - one in the Exuma Cays and another on South Andros Island.

Reference:

Link:

Contributors: Audun Fosshagen, University of Bergen, Norway; Geoff Boxshall, Museum of Natural History, London