Search

The knowledge about the deep-sea Kinorhyncha community has increased considerably in recent years. However, the records of kinorhynchs inhabiting hadal depths are still extremely limited. In the present study, we describe a new species of Echinoderes discovered from the South Orkney Trench, Southern Ocean. Echinoderes australis sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of middorsal acicular spines on segments 4-8 and lateroventral ones on segments 6-9, and tubes in lateroventral position on segment 5, in lateral accessory position on segment 8, and in laterodorsal position on segment 10. Additionally, the new species has conspicuous papillary flaps on segments 8-9. Among its morphological characteristics, the increase in length of the middorsal spine of segment 8 and lateroventral spines of segment 9 in relation to those of the previous segments are striking features, showing a whip-like appearance. E. australis sp. nov. Becomes the third hadal species of the phylum. In addition, we provide morphological information on the two other species found in the trench. Finally, we study in detail the diversity and distribution patterns of the Kinorhyncha of the South Orkney Trench, addressing aspects such as species richness, abundance, number of adults versus juveniles and the effect of bathymetry on the community composition. Zoobank urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:60C568A3-C443-428D-878F-89BAACBE6E31. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clade Scalidophora is an animal taxon composed of three distinct phyla: Kinorhyncha, Priapulida and Loricifera. These animals are currently studied by a very small but highly active number of experts, and the overall knowledge about the group remains low due to challenges in handling and describing them, as well as the relatively recent discovery of the third phyla. In this contribution, we analyse the study of Scalidophora and its constituent phyla using bibliometric tools, with the aim of understanding the state of research in the group and identifying and predicting trends in its study. Our results indicate (1) a trend towards taxonomy in Scalidophora research, likely due to the generally low knowledge of the clade; (2) a significant growth in recent years in both general scientific production and the number of species of these animals; (3) high collaboration patterns, especially among European countries and countries such as Japan and the United States; (4) a clear imbalance in productivity and knowledge between regions of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres; and (5) a substantial positive impact of the Scalidophora Workshops and the associated Special Issues on scientific production and collaborations within the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six of the eight species of the genus Setaphyes have been described from Europe. In the present contribution, the European Setaphyes species are revised and two of them, S. dentatus (Reinhard, 1881) and S. kielensis (Zelinka, 1928), are redescribed following the current approaches of Kinorhyncha taxonomy. For this purpose, material from 17 localities throughout the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean and Black Seas was investigated. The redescriptions of two of the most common pycnophyid species in Europe include detailed information on intraspecific variation among populations. Setaphyes dentatus is characterized by the presence of middorsal elevations on segments 2–6, and middorsal processes on segments 1, 7–9, unpaired paradorsal setae on segments 2–9; laterodorsal setae on segments 3, 5 and 7; ventromedial setae on segments 4–5, 7–8 in males and 3–5, 7–9 in females; anterior cuticular, reticulate ridges on the tergal plate of segment 1 and conspicuous patch of laterodorsal and ventrolateral longitudinal, cuticular ridges on segment 10. Setaphyes kielensis is characterized by middorsal elevations on segments 1–9; paired paradorsal setae on segments 2–9 (unpaired on segment 8); laterodorsal setae on segments 2–9; ventromedial setae on segments 3–9. Furthermore, morphometric features of the European Setaphyes are analysed. Specifically, the morphometric analyses revealed sex-specific variability in the LTS/TL proportion, with females of all the European species of Setaphyes showing smaller LTS/TL. Thus, the LTS/TL ratio unveils a conspicuous sexual dimorphism in the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomic studies of the phylum Kinorhyncha follow a standardised structure, which is extremely useful in many aspects, such as making it easier to read and compare the different species descriptions. Nevertheless, the morphological measurements methods, essential for formal description of species, may differ according to the authors. In the present contribution, we propose a standardised method of taking and representing the measurements, with the aim of obtaining comparable and repeatable morphometric results. Additionally, we propose an online repository to make the measurements accessible to all researchers in the same format, facilitating future comparisons and studies. Finally, a glossary that compiles and defines all the measurements that may be included in Kinorhyncha descriptions is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Dracoderidae genus, Dracophyes gen. nov., and a new species Dracophyes cepedai sp. nov. from the Peru Basin are described. The new genus is characterized by the presence of acicular spines showing conspicuous intracuticular structures on segments 1–9 (either anchor for the dorsal or groove-like for the lateral series), alternating laterally displaced dorsal spines, becoming more lateral towards the posterior segments, males with two pairs of minute, poorly sclerotized penile spines, and its conspicuous obovate trunk shape. The new genus accommodates three species: Dracophyes toyoshioae comb. nov., Dracophyes chaac comb. nov. and D. cepedai sp. nov. The latter was collected in abyssal depths in the Peru Basin (East Pacific Ocean) and is recognised by having dorsal acicular spines on segments 1 to 9, alternating laterally displaced from the middorsal line, ventral acicular spines in ventrolateral position on segment 1, lateroventral position on segments 2–4 and 6–9, and in lateral accessory position on segment 5, tubes in lateroventral position on segment 5 and in lateral accessory position on segments 2 and 8, type 2 glandular cell outlets in lateroventral position on segment 10 and extremely long lateral terminal spines. Moreover, with the erection of the new genus, emended diagnoses for the family Dracoderidae and the former single genus within the family, Dracoderes , are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kinorhyncha community inhabiting a mangrove forest impacted by domestic sewage discharges in the past has been explored in Mayotte Archipelago (southwestern Indian Ocean). Two new species of Echinoderes , which putatively belong to the Echinoderes coulli -group, are described: E. cyaneafictus sp. nov. And E. parthenope sp. nov. Echinoderes cyaneafictus sp. nov. has short, poorly sclerotized, weakly articulated spines in middorsal position on segment 4 and sublateral position on segments 6–7, plus tubes in lateroventral position on segment 5, lateral accessory position on segment 8 and laterodorsal position on segment 10. Echinoderes parthenope sp. nov. has the same kind of spines in middorsal position on segment 4, lateroventral position on segment 6, sublateral position on segment 7 and lateral accessory position on segment 8, plus tubes in lateroventral position on segments 5 and 8 and laterodorsal position on segment 10 (only males). Both species are characterized by having an enlarged sieve plate (nephridiopore) consisting of an anterior, convex area with numerous pores and a posterior, concave region with a single pore, which characterises the species group. This combination of characters, together with their intertidal environment affected by strong salinity fluctuations, led us to assign both species to the E. coulli -group tentatively. Apart from these characters, the new species possess a unique combination of morphological features that unambiguously differentiates them from their congeners. The studied kinorhynch community seems not to be negatively affected by the domestic sewage emissions from the nearby town Malamani. We did not find evidence for significant differences in density or richness between the area more impacted by this pollution and the more pristine area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]