Four new species of Kinorhyncha from the Gulf of California, eastern Pacific Ocean

Publication date: Available online 6 June 2019Source: Zoologischer AnzeigerAuthor(s): Cepeda Diego, Álvarez-Castillo Lucía, Hermoso-Salazar Margarita, Sánchez Nuria, Gómez Samuel, Pardos FernandoAbstractSeveral meiofaunal samples from the central and lower Gulf of California were studied. Four new species of kinorhynchs, Cristaphyes fortis sp. nov., Higginsium mazatlanensis sp. nov., Cephalorhyncha teresae sp. nov. and Echinoderes xalkutaat sp. nov., are described herein. Cristaphyes fortis sp. nov. may be distinguished from its most similar congeners by its more strongly developed pachycycli and ball-and-socket joints and the presence of unpaired paradorsal setae on segments 2, 4 and 6, two pairs of ventrolateral setae on segment 5, one pair of ventrolateral setae on segments 2–4, 6–7 and 10, and one pair of ventromedial setae on segments 8–9. Higginsium mazatlanensis sp. nov. is easily distinguished from its congeners by the combined presence of subdorsal setae only on segment 1 and lateroventral setae only on even segments. Cephalorhyncha teresae sp. nov. is unique within the genus by the presence of acicular spines in middorsal position on segments 4, 6 and 8, in sublateral position on segment 7 and in lateroventral position on segments 8 and 9, as well as tubes in subdorsal position on segment 2, and in lateroventral position on segment 5. Moreover, this species has primary pectinate fringes of segments 2–7 bearing a tuft of elongated spinous projections in m...

Source: A Journal of Comparative Zoology - June 6, 2019 Category: Zoology Source Type: research