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First description of a gastrotrich with four scale types, including feathered biancres, a novel find for Gastrotricha
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 April 2016
Abstract
A new species of Tetranchyroderma, T. garraffonii, is described from sublittoral sediments off the coast of Florida, USA. The new species possesses mixed scale types in the form of feathered biancres – a novel discovery for the genus – as well as feathered triancres and ordinary triancres. Biancres consist of a round scale base, a pair of ancre shafts that arise individually from a v-shaped cuticular ridge on the scale, and feathered ancres. Triancres are similar in appearance but have a different ridge pattern. Ordinary triancres occurred in two forms on the lateral sides of the body: a bowl-shaped ancre and a ‘pitchfork’ shaped ancre. Other distinguishing characteristics of the new species include the presence of cephalic tentacles, a papillated fringe to the oral hood, and a single pair of lateral and dorsolateral adhesive tubes at the posterior end. Confocal microscopy verified the presence of a muscular caudal organ and partly muscular vas deferens.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 97 , Issue 2 , March 2017 , pp. 269 - 275
- Copyright
- Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2016
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