New species of Echinoderes (Kinorhyncha: Cyclorhagida) from Spitsbergen,with additional information about known Arctic species

The kinorhynch fauna in two Arctic fjords at Spitsbergen was explored and eight species of Echinoderes were recorded, of which three are new to science and described herein. Echinoderes daenerysae sp. nov. is recognized by middorsal spines on segments 6 and 8 only, lateroventral spines on segments 6–9, laterodorsal and ventrolateral tubes on segment 2, lateroventral tubes on segment 5, lateral accessory tubes on segment 8, laterodorsal tubes on segment 9 and small laterodorsal tubes on segment 10. Echinoderes rhaegali sp. nov. has middorsal spines on segments 4, 6 and 8, lateroventral spines on segments 6–9, sublateral and ventrolateral tubes on segment 2, lateroventral tubes on segment 5, lateral accessory tubes on segment 8 and laterodorsal tubes on segment 10 in males. Echinoderes drogoni sp. nov. has middorsal spines on segments 4–8, lateroventral spines on segments 6–9, lateral accessory tubes on segment 5, glandular cell outlets type 2 in subdorsal, laterodorsal, sublateral and ventromedial positions on segments 2, in midlateral positions on segment 5, in sublateral positions on segment 8 and in subdorsal positions on segment 10; segment 11 has divided tergal plates. Moreover, types of other Arctic Echinoderes, including E. angustus, E. aquilonius, E. eximus, E. peterseni, E. svetlanae and E. tubilak, were re-examined and new information on glandular cell outlets type 2 is provided. Our results suggest that Arctic Echinoderes species have a circum-Artic distribution. Morphological analysis indicates that the occurrence of tubes may show intraspecific variation.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CBE29FE8-9233-4E3C-9757-FF9576B06C74     

First account on kinorhynchs from Portugal,with the description of two new species: Echinoderes lusitanicus sp. nov. and E. reicherti sp. nov.

The first exploration of the kinorhynch meiofauna in Portuguese marine waters has revealed the existence of two undescribed species of the cyclorhagid genus Echinoderes. In the present contribution we describe Echinoderes lusitanicus sp. nov. and Echinoderes reicherti sp. nov., both collected from subtidal regions of the coast of Algarve in the southernmost region of Portugal. Echinoderes lusitanicus sp. nov. is recognized by the presence of tubes on segment 2 in subdorsal and ventrolateral positions, on segment 5 in lateroventral positions, on segment 8 in lateral accessory positions, and on segment 10 in laterodorsal positions. Spines are present in middorsal position on segments 4 to 8, and in lateroventral positions on segments 8 and 9. The females have minute lateral terminal accessory spines. The second species, E. reicherti sp. nov., is characterized by tubes on segment 2 in subdorsal and ventrolateral positions, on segment 5 in lateroventral positions, and segment 8 in sublateral positions. In addition, the species possesses acicular spines in the middorsal position on segment 4, and in lateroventral positions on segments 6 to 9. Morphological aspects such as tube/spine pattern of the trunk or sexually dimorphic traits are discussed and compared with other Echinoderes species showing close resemblance.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:79C25EEE-9064-46F8-95E2-EE493DC82185     

Meristoderes gen. nov., a new kinorhynch genus, with the description of two new species and their implications for echinoderid phylogeny (Kinorhyncha: Cyclorhagida, Echinoderidae)

A new kinorhynch genus, Meristoderes gen. nov., and two new species from Spain and the Solomon Islands, respectively, are described. The new genus is distinguished from all other genera by the first segment consisting of a closed cuticular ring, and the second segment having partial tergosternal junctions, and a superficial midventral fold. This is a new cuticular configuration that may shed light into the phylogenetic relationships of echinoderid kinorhynchs. Meristoderes macracanthus gen. et sp. nov. from the Mediterranean coast of Spain is recognised by the presence of middorsal spines on segments 4, 6 and 8, ventrolateral tubules on segment 2, lateroventral tubules on segment 5, lateroventral spines on segments 6-9, lateral accessory tubules on segment 8, one pair of laterodorsal tubules on segment 10. Meristoderes galatheae sp. nov. from the Solomon Islands is recognized by having a middorsal spine on segment 4 only, ventrolateral tubules on segment 2, lateroventral tubules on segment 5, lateroventral spines on segments 6-9, lateral accessory tubules on segment 8 and subdorsal tubules on segment 10. Both species have a pattern of paraventral perforation site clusters on segments 3-9, with conspicuously long bracteate hairs from the posteriormost perforations sites on the segments 3-7 and 3-6, respectively.The new genus Meristoderes gen. nov. is included into the family Echinoderidae Bütschli, 1876 and appears closely related with the genera Cephalorhyncha Adrianov, 1999 and Echinoderes Claparède, 1863. The new information it provides is discussed to clarify the internal phylogeny of Echinoderidae. The terminology for cuticular characters in the overlapping area between consecutive segments is also standardized.     

Fissuroderes, a new genus of Kinorhyncha (Cyclorhagida) from the deep sea and continental shelf of New Zealand and from the continental shelf of Costa Rica

Specimens of Kinorhyncha collected by RV Sonne from the continental shelf off the coast of Costa Rica and from the deep sea East of New Zealand as well as by RV Kaharoa in the Firth of Thames are identified as five new species of a new genus Fissuroderes gen. nov. which is distinguished from all other kinorhynch genera by a ring-like cuticle in the first trunk segment and a cuticle with midventral and lateral articulations resulting in two sternal plates and one tergal plate in segments 2-10. Fissuroderes higginsi sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other species of Fissuroderes by a laterodorsal spine in segment 2 and the lack of a lateroventral spine in segment 8. Fissuroderes rangi sp. nov. is recognized from all other species by the lack of a ventrolateral spine in segment 2, the lack of a lateroventral spine in segment 5, an extremely elongate spinose tergal extension of segment 11 and a prominent midventral spinose process of the sternal plates in segment 11. Fissuroderes papai sp. nov. is identified by the short spinose process of the sternal plate of segment 11. Only Fissuroderes thermoi sp. nov. possesses bilobed sternal plates in segment 11 and a short conical tergal extension. Fissuroderes novaezealandia sp. nov. differs from F. higginsi sp. nov. in the lack of a laterodorsal spine in segment 2, the lack of an accessory spine in a lateral position in segment 8, the lack of a sublateral spine in segment 10, the existence of a lateroventral spine in segment 8 and in the lack of a subdorsal type 2-gland cell outlet in segment 2. The former species differs from F. papai sp. nov. in the lack of a lateroventral spine in segment 8, the lack of longitudinal indentations in the posterior part of the trunk cuticle of each segment and in the existence of an elongate spinose tergal extension of segment 11 and of many fine hairs on the surface of the cuticle. Fissuroderes is included into the Echinoderidae which is suggested to enclose also the genera Echinoderes and Cephalorhyncha. Echinoderes nybakkeni Higgins, 1988 is now combined as Cephalorhyncha nybakkeni (Higgins, 1988) comb. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tubulideres seminoli</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zelinkaderes brightae</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Kinorhyncha,Cyclorhagida) from Florida

One new kinorhynch genus and species and one new species from the genus Zelinkaderes are described from sandy sediment off Fort Pierce, Florida. The new genus and species, Tubulideres seminoli gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of the first trunk segment consisting of a closed ring, the second segment of a bent tergal plate with a midventral articulation and the following nine segments consisting of a tergal and two sternal plates. Cuspidate spines are not present, but flexible tubules are located on several segments, and in particular concentrated on the ventral side of the second segment. Middorsal spines are present on all trunk segments and are alternatingly offset to a position slightly lateral to the middorsal line. Zelinkaderes brightae nov. sp. is characterized by its spine formula in having middorsal spines on trunk segments 4, 6 and 8–11, lateroventral acicular spines on segment 2, lateral accessory cuspidate spines on segments 2 and 8, ventrolateral cuspidate spines on segments 4–6 and 9, lateroventral acicular spines present on segments 8 and 9, and midterminal, lateral terminal and lateral terminal accessory spines on segment 11. The spine formula of Z. brightae nov. sp. places it in a position in between Z. submersus and a clade consisting of Z. klepali and Z. floridensis. The new findings on Z. brightae nov. sp. have led us to propose an emended diagnosis for the genus.     

Kinorhyncha from the stomach of the shrimp Pleoticus muelleri (Bate, 1888) from Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina

Six kinorhynchs were found in the stomachs of the Argentine red shrimp, Pleoticus mulleri (Bate, 1888) from the Argentine coast of Patagonia. Three new species are described: Condyloderes storchi n. sp., Pycnophyes argentinensis n. sp. and P. neuhausi n. sp. A fourth species, Kinorhynchus anomalus Lang, 1953 was previously known only from the coast of Chile. This is the third known record of kinorhynchs documented as a food source. Condyloderes storchi, n. sp. is the fourth new species in this genus. It is distinguished by its paradorsal cuspidate spines on segments 7 and 9, lateral accessory and ventrolateral spines on segments 3, 6, 7, 10 and 11. P. argentinensis, n. sp. has nearly equal sternal width for segments 3–11 (about 7% of the trunk length), episternal plates with three distinct areas along the anterior margin, mid-sternal plate with even margin, mid-dorsal spinose protrusions along the terminal borders of segments 11 and 12, and lateral terminal spines 176 μm long, about 21% of trunk length. P. neuhausi, n. sp.has a prominent posterior elongation of the tergal plate of segment 3, uneven lateral margins of the mid-sternal plate, a maximum sternal width at segment 3, no mid-dorsal spinose processes and mid-ventral thickenings on segments 10–12.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Condyloderes kurilensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Kinorhyncha: Cyclorhagida)—a new deep water species from the abyssal plain near the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench

A new species of centroderid kinorhynchs, Condyloderes kurilensis sp. nov., collected from muddy sediment at the abyssal plain near the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, North-West Pacific, is described and illustrated using light and electron microscopy. Previously, members of the genus Condyloderes were found only in nearly shallow water enviroments—C. multispinosus (North Sea), C. paradoxus (Bengal Bay), C. setoensis (Tanabe Bay, Japan), C. storchi (Argentina coast), and C. megastigma (Korea Strait). The new species is characterized by the presence of lateroventral cuspidate spines only on trunk segment 8 in both sexes, paired ventromedial appendages (tubules) on trunk segments 7 and 8 in females only, and dorsolateral spines on trunk segment 10 in males only. Condyloderes kurilensis sp. nov. constitutes the sixth species of the genus Condyloderes described so far and the only second abyssal species of the Kinorhyncha described from the North-West Pacific. A key to the six species of the genus Condyloderes is proposed.     

Deep-sea Kinorhyncha: two new species from the Guinea Basin,with evaluation of an unusual male feature

Two new species of homalorhagid kinorhynchs from the deep-sea Guinea Basin are described. Pycnophyes nubilis sp. nov. is easily recognized by the presence of paradorsal setae on segment 1; middorsal processes on segments 1–10, progressively increasing in length towards the posterior segments; and middorsal process on segment 10 extending over the last trunk segment. Pycnophyes farinellii sp. nov. is distinguished by middorsal elevations on segments 2–9 and laterodorsal and ventromedial setae on segments 2 and 9 only. Moreover, males of the latter species lack ventromedial tubes on segment 2—a very uncommon feature among the genus. The systematic significance of this character is discussed in detail.     

A new species of shrimp of the genus Anachlorocurtis Hayashi, 1975 from the Red Sea,with range extension of A. commensalis Hayashi, 1975 (Crustacea,Decapoda, Pandalidae)

A new species of pandalid shrimp Anachlorocurtis occidentalis sp. n., associated with antipatharian corals, is described and illustrated from the north-eastern Red Sea. This new species is closely related to Anachlorocurtis commensalis Hayashi, 1975, the only other species in the genus, and can be distinguished by the more slender body and appendages; the carapace with 3 large, and one small, subtriangular lobes in the middorsal line; a flattened dorsal outline of the third abdominal segment; the sixth abdominal segment twice as long as fifth one; propodi of the ambulatory pereiopods bearing only a single posterior spinule; and harbouring 3–5 pairs of dorsolateral spines on the telson. A revised generic diagnosis is provided here to accommodate the present new species. The genetic divergence of mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) between Anachlorocurtis occidentalis sp. n., and A. commensalis is 15.2–15.4%. Molecular analysis also confirmed a sister position of the genus Anachlorocurtis to Miropandalus. The present records of A. commensalis from Taiwan constitute an extension of the known range of the species.     

Demodex microti n. sp. (Acari: Demodecidae) in Microtus arvalis (Pallas) (Rodentia, Cricetidae) with a checklist of the demodecid mites of cricetids

Demodex microti n. sp. (Acari, Demodecidae) is described from the skin of the genital area of the common vole Microtus arvalis (Pallas) in Poland based on the morphology of the adult and immature stages. The new species appears most similar to D. cricetuli Hurley & Desch, 1994 from the gray dwarf hamster, Cricetulus migratorius (Pallas), but differs in the following features: the supracoxal spines are conical and located at the edge of the gnathosoma, the spines of the terminal segment of palp are three, single-tined, the opisthosomal organ is narrow and elongated in males and bubble-shaped in females, the vulva is located below the incision of the fourth pair of epimeral plates, eggs are oval. The differences also relate to body size and proportions, D. microti n. sp. being smaller and slender. The new species occurred in all of the rodents examined. A checklist of demodecid mites in cricetids world-wide is also provided.     

Kinorhynchs from the Andaman Islands

Echinoderes andamanensis sp. nov. is described from the Andaman Islands (Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean). Unlike most members of this genus, this new species lacks middorsal spines. It is further distinguished by the presence of lateral spines on segments 4, 10 and 11 in the female and 4, 10–12 in the inale. Collected with E. andamanensis were specimens of E. ehlersi previously known only from a single specimen collected in 1885 in Zanzibar. The Andaman Island females have shorter spines than the males. Additional species include Catena gerlachi , previously known only from Walcair, India. A single juvenile exuvium of Pynophyes sp. was also found. The taxonomic relationships of the species and other members of the genus are discussed.     

Third contribution on Rovno amber silken fungus beetles: a new Eocene species of Cryptophagus (Coleoptera, Clavicornia, Cryptophagidae)

Cryptophagus alexagrestis Lyubarsky & Perkovsky, sp. n. is described based on a fossil inclusion in Late Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine). The new species is similar to the extant Cryptophagus skalitzkyi Reitter and Cryptophagus dilutus Reitter, differing from the latter by having a very transverse, short and dilated 10th antennal segment, and from the former by the very elongate segments of the flagellum.     

First record of harpacticoid copepods from Lake Tahoe,United States: two new species of Attheyella (Harpacticoida,Canthocamptidae)

Benthic harpacticoids were collected for the first time at Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada, United States. Two species were identified as members of the genus Attheyella Brady, 1880. The genus Attheyella comprises about 150 species within six subgenera, but only twelve species have previously been reported from North American freshwater habitats. The two new species of Attheyella described here have a 3-segmented endopod on P1 and 2-segmented P2–P4 endopods, the distal segment of exopod of P2–P4 has three outer spines, and the P5 has five setae on the exopod and six setae on the baseoendopod. Attheyella (Attheyella) tahoensis sp. n. most closely resembles Attheyella (Attheyella) idahoensis (Marsh, 1903) from Idaho, Montana, and Alaska (United States) and Attheyella (Attheyella) namkungi Kim, Soh & Lee, 2005 from Gosu Cave in South Korea. They differ mainly by the number of setae on the distal endopodal segment of P2–P4. In addition, intraspecific variation has been observed on the caudal rami. Attheyella (Neomrazekiella) tessiae sp. n. is characterized by the extension of P5 baseoendopod, 2-segmented endopod of female P2–P3, and naked third seta of male P5 exopod. The two new species are likely endemic to Lake Tahoe, an isolated alpine lake within the Great Basin watershed in the western United States.     

A new species of Amphictene (Annelida,Pectinariidae) from the Gulf of Mexico,with a redescription of Amphictene guatemalensis (Nilsson, 1928)

The genus Amphictene is reported for the first time from Mexico. Previous records for America are restricted to Brazil (Amphictene catharinensis) (Grube, 1870), and Guatemala (Amphictene guatemalensis) (Nilsson, 1928). In this paper we describe a new species, Amphictene helenae sp. n., characterized by the presence of three pairs of tentacular cirri, while other species have only two pairs. The new species is closely similar to Amphictene catharinensis, and can be distinguished by the presence of a circular group of glandular papillae inserted between the lines of glandular cirri present from the second segment. Amphictene guatemalensis is redescribed based on type material; it differs from the new species in the presence of two pairs of tentacular cirri on segments 1 and 2, six pairs of glandular cirri on the third segment, and four glandular lobes fused in pairs on the fourth segment.     

Descriptions of Two New Species of Chronogaster Cobb, 1913 from India

Two new species of Chronogaster in India were described and illustrated, based on light and scanning electron microscopy. Chronogaster neotypica n. sp. collected from a sewage slurry was characterized by a medium-sized body, a ventral tail mucro without additional spines, absence of longitudinal incisures in lateral fields, and by the presence of crystalloids in the body. Diagnostic for C. spinicauda n. sp. collected from soil around roots of mango were a medium-sized body, a tail mucro with 10 spines, and absence of lateral lines and crystalloids. Males were not found.     

The Protonephridia of the Arctic Kinorhynch Echinoderes aquilonius (Cyclorhagida,Echinoderidae)

The cyclorhagid kinorhynch Echinoderes aquilonius Higgins & Kristensen, 1988 possesses a single pair of protonephridia located in segments 10 and 11. The protonephridia consist of: (1) three terminal cells T-1, T-2. T-3, each with two cilia; (2) a single non-ciliated canal cell; (3) a nephridiopore cell with many microvilli and a cuticular sieve plate. The protonephridia of Echinoderes are presumed to develop from the ectoderm near the area of the sieve plate on the eleventh segment, and are suspended in the dorso-lateral pseudocoelomic cavity where they are surrounded by a basal lamina. One of the terminal cells (T-1) secondarily penetrates the basal lamina of the tenth segment and a part of the cell attaches to the cuticle. The kinorhynch protonephridia are compared with the excretory organs of other Bilateria. expecially the ‘aschelminths’, and apomorphic characters of the kinorhynch protonephridia are defined.     

Two new species of the genus Anisomysis (Anisomysis) (Crustacea,Mysida, Mysidae) from coral reef waters in Thailand

Two new species of Anisomysis Hansen, 1910 (Mysida, Mysidae), Anisomysis (Anisomysis) spinaintus sp. n. and Anisomysis (Anisomysis) phuketensis sp. n., from coral-reef waters in Thailand are described. Anisomysis (Anisomysis) spinaintus, collected in the Chaolao Beach, Chanthaburi Province, is distinguished from the closely allied species Anisomysis (Anisomysis) incisa Tattersall, 1936, and Anisomysis (Anisomysis) hawaiiensis Murano, 1995, by the presence of 6–9 spines on the apical cleft of telson, which are absent in the latter two allied species. The new species can also be distinguished from Anisomysis (Anisomysis) aikawai Ii, 1964, by the presence of a deep telson cleft and a large number of spines on the lateral margin of telson. Anisomysis (Anisomysis) phuketensis sp. n., collected in Ko Lon, Phuket, is distinguished from the allied species Anisomysis (Anisomysis) robustispina Panampunnayil, 1984, by having a short telson and a pair of long spines on the apical part of the telson. Keys to the subgenera and species of Anisomysis, including the two new species, are presented.     

Description and phylogeny of Namalycastis jaya sp. n. (Polychaeta,Nereididae, Namanereidinae) from the southwest coast of India

Namalycastis jaya sp. n. (Polychaeta: Nereididae: Namanereidinae)is described from the southern coast of Kerala in southwest India. One important characteristic feature of the species is the lack of notochaetae in all parapodia, a characteristic that it shares with at least two other species, Namalycastis elobeyensis Glasby, 1999and Namalycastis hawaiiensis Johnson, 1903. It differs from Namalycastis elobeyensis by virtue of its smaller antennae, unequal eye size, bilobed acicular neuropodial ligule and multi-incised pygidium rim. Moreover, it differs from Namalycastis hawaiiensis by having fewer teeth on the serrated blades of the sub-neuroacicular falciger in chaetiger 10, and by possessing finely serrated falcigers in posterior segments. Beyond morphological analyses, molecular phylogenetics was used for the first time for Namalycastis to support population monophyly and recognition of the new species.The analysis, using both mitochondrial and nuclear data, corroborated the morphological analysis in suggesting that our specimens represent an as yet undescribed species, Namalycastis jaya sp. n., which forms a monophyletic group among the sampled nereidid taxa. Finally, a taxonomic key for Namalycastis species recorded from the Indian region is provided.