The family Speleoithonidae, recently described by Rocha & Iliffe (1991), includes small copepods, close to Oithonidae, at present known only for anchialine waters of the Bahamas and Bermuda Islands.

Speleoithonidae is considered to be a sister group of Oithonidae. It is believed that Speleoithona evolved in its restricted habitat, developing very characteristic features, while retaining some primitive traits (Rocha and Iliffe, 1991).


  • Speleoithona bermudensis Rocha & Iliffe, 1993 [Bermuda Islands; anchialine cave]

  • Speleoithona eleutherensis Rocha & Iliffe, 1991 [ Eleuthera Islands, Bahamas; anchialine cave]

  • Speleoithona salvadorensis Rocha & Iliffe, 1991 [ San Salvador, Bahamas; anchialine cave]



  • Speleoithonidae from the Bahamas


    References

    Rocha, Carlos Eduardo F. and Thomas M. Iliffe. 1991. Speleoithonidae, a new family of Copepoda (Cyclopoida) from anchialine caves on the Bahama Islands. Sarsia, 76:167-175, 28 figures.




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