A New Neolepas (Cirripedia: Thoracica: Scalpellidae) from an Abyssal Hydrothermal Vent, Southeast Pacific

A new pedunculate barnacle, Neolepas rapanuii new species, has been discovered near hydrothermal vents at 23°S in the East Pacific, northwest of Easter Island, at a depth of 2,600 m. The species is distinct from Neolepas zevinae, which occurs at the same depth between 10° and 21°N off Mexico. Characters of the trophi, the capitulum and the peduncle distinguish the two species. Ova and nauplii of N. rapanuii are described, their structure being suggestive of a lecithotrophic mode of development.