Markhaseva, 1983b
Short Description:
Batheuchaeta peculiaris is an aetideid calanoid copepod known after both sexes (female 4.60 mm and male 4.15 mm in total length). Most probably abyssopelagic species. Recorded in the Kurile-Kamchatka Trench area and in the antarctic sector of the Pacific Ocean.
Taxonomic Description:
Female. Total length 4.60 mm. Cephalothorax 4 times longer than abdomen. Rostrum rudimentary, like conus with small groove at apex and base wider than in B. anomala. On the left of Th5 there is a pocket-like projection, well visible laterally, and like thickening when looking dorsally; posterior Th5 corners rounded, their edges rounded and densely haired. Genital segment strongly asymmetrical, with deep excavation in its middle left side (dorsal view). Its length equal to the length of 3 following segments together. Genital field asymmetrical, "spectacle"-like structure not well pronounced. A1 reaching posterior border of Abd3. Re2 A2 1.2 times longer than Ri. Md palp base with 3 setae and group of minute spinules near their base, Ri1 Md with 3 setae. All other oral parts typical of the genus. Mxp protopodite is 1.5 times shorter than Ri1 Mxp. Ri P1 with row of spinules arranged apically along external lobe edge. P2-P4 typical of the genus.
Male. Total length 4.15 mm. Cephalothorax 4.1 times longer than abdomen. Rostrum present, very small, looking like that of B. anomala. Posterior Th5 corners with faintly developed prominences. Anal abdominal segment very small. A1 24-segmented, reaching Abd 3. Structure of oral parts and swimming legs like that in B. anomala , but Ri2 A2 bears 13 setae (not 14 as in B. anomala ). Ri1 lacking seta, Ri2 Md with 10 setae. Left P5 Ri with not deep excavation, Re3 bilobated.
Vertical distribution:
Mostly abyssopelagic species, but probability of finding in lower bathypelagic exists (Markhaseva, 1986b).
Geographical distribution:
Pacific Ocean: the Kurile-Kamchatka Trench (Markhaseva, 1983b, 1986b); Species found in the Antarctic sector of the Pacific Ocean (Markhaseva, 1996).
Type locality: 45°49'N 153°33'E (Markhaseva, 1983b).
Material examined:
3 females and 2 males from samples: 123, 127, 148, 328. See examined samples module.
Type Material: Holotype, female total length 4.6 mm, N 1/64840, R/V "Vitjaz", 39th cruise, 45°49'N 153°33'E, 5-6 July 1966, sample 117, depth 7300, stratum of sampling 6540 m, closing ring-trawl. Type is kept in the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg.