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The genus Tajikacelis n. gen. is introduced for species of Archimonocelididae (Proseriata) characterized by the lack of atrial spines in the copulatory organ and by the opening of the seminal vesicles into the prostate vesicle at its ventral side. Six new species from the Pacific Ocean are ascribed to the new genus; they may be distinguished by features of the genital systems and the morphology of their copulatory stylets. T. tajikai n. sp. (type species of the new genus) and T. macrostomoides n. sp., both from eastern Australia, have a long tubular stylet. In T. macrostomoides n. sp., the stylet is more curved, bending to 180°, and has a narrower basis compared to that of T. tajikai n. sp. In T. artoisi n. sp., from Hawai’i, and T. nematoplanoides n. sp., from South Australia, the stylet is shaped as a truncated cone, with a broad, oblique proximal opening and a very short tubular part. T. artoisi n. sp. is distinct for the much stronger thickening of the dorsal side of the stylet, and for the different shape of the proximal opening. In T. acuta n. sp. and T. truncata n. sp., from West Panama, the tubular stylet is comparatively short; the two species differ for the shape of the distal opening, produced into a sharp spike in T. acuta n. sp., and square-ended in T. truncata n. sp.. Two species previously described in the genus Archimonocelis are transferred to Tajikacelis n. gen.: T. itoi Tajika, 1981 from Japan and T. keke Martens and Curini-Galletti, 1989 from Sulawesi (Indonesia). The taxonomic position of the problematic Archimonocelis glabrodorsata Martens and Curini-Galletti, 1989 from the Caribbean is discussed. The relationships of and within the genus Tajikacelis n. gen. are discussed and compared with recent results based on DNA studies.

The taxon Koinocystididae is the third most species-rich family within Eukalyptorhynchia. However, its diversity and phylogeny have been largely neglected in former studies. We introduce three new genera and twelve new species of Koinocystididae including Simplexcystis asymmetrica gen. n. sp. n., Galapagetula cubensis sp. n., eight species of Reinhardorhynchus gen. n. and two species of Itaipusa. This raises the total number of species within Koinocystididae from 51 to 63. We also report on new distribution records for six known species: I. divae (Cuba, Panama and New Caledonia), I. karlingi (Sardinia and Lanzarote), Reinhardorhynchus riegeri comb. n. (Cuba), R. ruffinjonesi comb. n. (Cuba and Panama), Utelga heinckei (Cuba and Lanzarote), and U. pseudoheinckei (Sardinia). Simplexcystis asymmetrica gen. n. sp. n. is characterised by a male duct running eccentrically through the copulatory bulb, lack of any hard structures in the male system, lack of a bursa, and the fact that the epithelia of the female, the male, and part of the common atrium are covered by a brush border. Galapagetula cubensis sp. n. has a caudal gonopore, a divisa-type copulatory bulb with an unarmed penis papilla, and a female duct without a sphincter. The new species of Itaipusa and Reinhardorhynchus gen. n. differ from their congeners in the detailed structure of the copulatory bulb and especially the hard structures associated with it. In a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on all available 18S and 28S rDNA sequences of koinocystidids, we found support for the monophyly of the family and the genus Utelga Marcus, 1949. The genus Itaipusa is not monophyletic in that I. sinensis forms a clade with Rhinolasius dillonicus, while other species of Itaipusa that have a copulatory bulb armed with hooks form a clade together with Sekerana stolzi. As the type species of Itaipusa (I. divae) is in neither of these clades, we erected a new genus for I. sinensis (Koinogladius gen. n.) and one for species of Itaipusa having a hook-bearing copulatory bulb (Reinhardorhynchus gen. n.), respectively. Whether the remaining species of Itaipusa form a monophylum remains uncertain. The taxon Koinocystididae is the third most species-rich family within Eukalyptorhynchia. However, its diversity and phylogeny have been largely neglected in former studies. We introduce three new genera and twelve new species of Koinocystididae including Simplexcystis asymmetrica gen. n. sp. n., Galapagetula cubensis sp. n., eight species of Reinhardorhynchus gen. n. and two species of Itaipusa. This raises the total number of species within Koinocystididae from 51 to 63. We also report on new distribution records for six known species: I. divae (Cuba, Panama and New Caledonia), I. karlingi (Sardinia and Lanzarote), Reinhardorhynchus riegeri comb. n. (Cuba), R. ruffinjonesi comb. n. (Cuba and Panama), Utelga heinckei (Cuba and Lanzarote), and U. pseudoheinckei (Sardinia). Simplexcystis asymmetrica gen. n. sp. n. is characterised by a male duct running eccentrically through the copulatory bulb, lack of any hard structures in the male system, lack of a bursa, and the fact that the epithelia of the female, the male, and part of the common atrium are covered by a brush border. Galapagetula cubensis sp. n. has a caudal gonopore, a divisa-type copulatory bulb with an unarmed penis papilla, and a female duct without a sphincter. The new species of Itaipusa and Reinhardorhynchus gen. n. differ from their congeners in the detailed structure of the copulatory bulb and especially the hard structures associated with it. In a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on all available 18S and 28S rDNA sequences of koinocystidids, we found support for the monophyly of the family and the genus Utelga Marcus, 1949. The genus Itaipusa is not monophyletic in that I. sinensis forms a clade with Rhinolasius dillonicus, while other species of Itaipusa that have a copulatory bulb armed with hooks form a clade together with Sekerana stolzi. As the type species of Itaipusa (I. divae) is in neither of these clades, we erected a new genus for I. sinensis (Koinogladius gen. n.) and one for species of Itaipusa having a hook bearing copulatory bulb (Reinhardorhynchus gen. n.), respectively. Whether the remaining species of Itaipusa form a monophylum remains uncertain.

During several sampling campaigns in the regions of Galicia and Andalusia in Spain and the Algarve region in Portugal, specimens of twelve species of schizorhynch rhabdocoels were collected. Four of these are new to science: three species of Proschizorhynchus (P. algarvensis sp. nov., P. arnautsae sp. nov. and P. troglodytus sp. nov.) and one species of Schizochilus (S. coninxae sp. nov.). The new species of Proschizorhynchus can be distinguished from their congeners by the curvature and length of their stylet, as well as the cirrus sheath and the organisation of the genital system. Schizochilus coninxae sp. nov. has a distinct two-part stylet that is unique within the genus. In addition to these new species, new data are reported for the diascorhynchid Diascorhynchus caligatus and the schizorhynchids Carcharodorhynchus multidentatus, C. tenuis, C. flavidus, Proschizorhynchus pectinatus and P. reniformis. Finally, new records for C. flavidus from the Hawaiian archipelago are presented. We thank the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia and the Estación Biológica de Doñana (ICTS-RBD, Spain) for the financial and logistical support of the fieldwork in Doñana National Park. Collecting trips to the Algarve were financed by the EU FP7 ASSEMBLE grant agreement no. 227799. We would like to thank the Centro de Ciências do Mar (Centre of Marine Sciences) of the University of the Algarve, Portugal, for providing excellent working and sampling facilities, in particular Dr Ana Amaral for the kind and efficient logistic support and Dr Jorge Gonçalves for collecting the samples at the islands near Sagres. Special thanks also go to the captain of the Zodiac for his help with sampling in the Ria Formosa. The research of S.G. was supported by a PhD-grant of BOF-UHasselt. M.M. is funded by a PhD fellowship from the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen). We would like to thank Ria Vanderspikken and Natascha Steffanie for their valuable assistance in the lab. Dr Bart Tessens and Dr Niels Van Steenkiste are thanked for their involvement in collecting specimens from the Algarve, Portugal and Doñana National Park, Spain. Dave Bosmans is cordially thanked for his help with processing the images included in this work

An overview is given of all representatives of the genus Typhlopolycystis Karling, 1956: the five known species (T. coeca Karling, 1956; T. mediterranea Brunet, 1965; T. coomansi Schockaert and Karling, 1975; T. schockaerti Karling, 1978 and T. rubra Noldt and Reise, 1985) and eleven new species: T. microphthalma n. sp. from S. France, T. fonsecai n. sp. and T. maikoni n. sp. from Brazil, T. norenburgi n. sp. and T. leasiae n.sp from the Pacific coast of Panama, T. pluvialiae n. sp. from Lanzarote (Canary Islands, Spain), T. riegeri n. sp. from Tanzania, T. tahitienis n. sp. from French Polynesia, T. australiensis n. sp. from South Australia, T. sarda n. sp. from Sardinia (Italy), the S. of France and from Lanzarote, and T. errata n. sp. from Sardinia (Italy). We consider T. limicola Schilke, 1970 as a species inquirenda of which no type material exists. Finally, some comments are given on the distribution of the genus of which representatives have been found in almost all places that have been sampled world wide.

Four new species of Paraustrorhynchus (Rhabdocoela: Kalyptorhynchia: Polycystididae) are described: two from Southern China (P. shenda n. sp., P. sinensis n. sp.), one from New Caledonia (P. isoldeae n. sp.), and one from India (P. smeetsae n. sp.). All four species show a typical dark blue dorsal pigmentation pattern, which is unique to the genus. This pigment forms a broad longitudinal line in P. shenda n. sp. and P. sinensis n. sp., shows an additional transverse band at the level of the pharynx in P. smeetsae n. sp. and forms a Y-shaped pattern in P. isoldeae n. sp. The four species can also be distinguished from each other and their congeners by the detailed morphology of the hard parts of the male system, which in all cases consists of an L-shaped (P. shenda n. sp., P. isoldeae n. sp) or slightly-curved (P. smeetsae n. sp., P. sinensis n. sp.) prostate stylet type II and a prostate stylet type III, which consists of three plates: a basal plate from which two longer plates depart, each with a distal serrated rim. A phylogenetic analysis based on 18S and 28S-rDNA data indicates that Paraustrorhynchus is a monophyletic taxon within Polycystidinae, with Alcha evelinae as the sister group.

Three new species of Polycystididae are described: Brachyrhynchus triplostylis n. gen. n. sp., B. acutus n. sp. and B. oosterlyncki n. sp. They are the first species of Polycystididae to be described with a second, single-walled accessory stylet connected to a small glandular vesicle in the male system. The three species can be distinguished from each other by the detailed morphology and the relative lengths of the three stylets in the male system. The relationships of these species with other representatives of Polycystididae are discussed.

Trigonostomum vanmecheleni nov. sp. (Rhabdocoela: Dalytyphloplanida) was collected from algae taken from the channels in Venice (Italy). It can easily be distinguished from its congeners by the detailed morphology of the stylet and of the bursal appendage, which is a coiled tube. Only T. lilliei has a bursal appendage with a comparable morphology. All available material of that species was also studied, leading to the conclusion that T. prytherchi is not a synonym of T. lilliei, as was proposed in earlier literature. T. prytherchi can be distinguished by the fact that the stylet proper is proximally bent over 180°, whereas in the other two species it is bent over 90°, and by the fact that the mantle of the stylet consists of one plate only, where it comprises two plates in the other two species. T. vanmecheleni nov. sp. can be distinguished from T. lilliei by the fact that the two plates of the mantle are different in shape and by the fact that the bursal appendage splits distally into six finer ...

In this contribution a new representative of the taxon Meidiama Marcus, 1946, Meidiama uruguayensis sp. nov., from Uruguay, is described, as are six more new species, for which three new genera are proposed: Dreuxiola philippi gen. nov. sp. nov., from the French subantarctic archipelago Kerguelen; Yorknia aprostatica gen. nov. sp. nov.; Serrula byronensis gen. nov. sp. nov.; Serrula maxillaria sp. nov.; Serrula concharum sp. nov.; and Serrula acuta sp. nov., from eastern Australia and Tasmania. Arguments are presented to propose a new taxon to contain these new species, rather than include them in the Archimonocelididae Meixner, 1938 (of which Meidiama has been considered a member so far), as well as to remove the Calviriinae Martens & Curini-Galletti from the Archimonocelididae to become a separate taxon Calviriidae. Possible autapomorphies for the three families are discussed. It is also concluded that, with the present state of our knowledge, no sound indications can be given about close relationships. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155, 759–773.

This contribution reviews diversity of turbellarian species by biogeographical regions, with comments on species biology. The review draws on the database available at http://www.devbio.umesci.maine.edu/styler/turbellaria. Comparisons between regions suggest that species richness may be at least one order of magnitude higher than the currently reported number of species. In the context of the recent reconstructions of phylogeny of Platyhelminthes based on molecular data, the paper allows inferences as to the history of colonization of freshwaters by turbellarians. Specifically, four, or perhaps six, major invasions of freshwater habitats may have occurred in the Pangean period, each of which gave rise to a monophyletic freshwater taxon. In addition, several occasional invasions by representatives of marine taxa must have taken place.

Twelve new species of Polycystididae Graff, 1905 are described from the Australian east coast. Nine of them could not be placed in any of the existing genera, and therefore six new genera are erected. Alchoides n. gen. differs from all other polycystidid genera by the presence of a bundle of glands that opens into the distal part of the male atrium (accessory vesicle type V). Two species are included in the genus, A. alchoides n. sp. and A. dittmannae n. sp., which differ from each other in the shape of the stylet. Ametochus gehrkei n. gen n. sp. can be distinguished from other polycystidids by the presence of a prostate vesicle type III associated with a prostate stylet type III, combined with the presence of an accessory stylet type III, while a prostate stylet type II is lacking. Typical for Arrawarria inexpectata n. gen n. sp. is the combined presence of an armed cirrus with a prostate vesicle type II connected to a prostate stylet type II. Two species are assigned to the new genus Duplexostylus n. gen.: D. rowei n. sp. and D. winsori n. sp. These two species have two unique features: a prostate vesicle type IV directly connected to a prostate stylet type III and an asymmetrical septum that surrounds the proximal part of the male atrium. They can be distinguished from each other by differences in the detailed construction of their stylets. Two new species are placed in the new genus Stradorhynchus n. gen.: S. caecus n. sp. and S. terminalis n. sp. They have unpaired gonads and a prostate vesicle type IV connected to a prostate stylet type IV, which combination of characters makes them unique within the Polycystididae. The two species differ from each other in the shape and size of the stylet. Triaustrorhynchus armatus n. gen., n. sp. is the first species of the Polycystididae to have three types of stylet in the male atrium: a prostate stylet type II, a prostate stylet type III and an accessory stylet type III. Three new species could be placed in existing genera: Cincturorhynchus monaculeus n. sp., Paraustrorhynchus caligatus n. sp. and Polycystis australis n. sp. All three differ from their congeners in the form and dimensions of their stylets. All newly described species are discussed, giving their similarities and differences with resembling species. Austrorhynchus hawaiiensis Karling, 1977 is reported for the first time in Australia, and the Australian population is compared with populations from other regions. The presence of Gyratrix hermaphroditus Ehrenberg, 1831, one new species of Paulodora Marcus, 1948 and a new genus of Typhlopolycystidinae Evdonin, 1977 is mentioned.

The phylogeny of the Rhabdocoela, a species-rich taxon of free-living flatworms, is reconstructed based on complete 18S rDNA sequences. The analysis includes 62 rhabdocoels and 102 representatives of all major flatworm taxa. In total, 46 new sequences are used, 41 of them from rhabdocoel species, five from proseriates. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference. Clade support was evaluated with parsimony jackknifing, Bremer support indices and Bayesian posterior probabilities. The resulting cladogram corroborates that the Rhabdocoela is monophyletic, but its sister group remains uncertain. The ‘Dalyellioida’ and the ‘Typhloplanoida’, both former rhabdocoel subtaxa, are polyphyletic. Within the Rhabdocoela the monophyletic Kalyptorhynchia, characterized by a muscular proboscis, forms the sister group of all other rhabdocoels. The Schizorhynchia is a monophyletic subtaxon of the Kalyptorhynchia, with the split proboscis as a synapomorphy. Except for the Dalyelliidae and the Typhloplanidae, both freshwater taxa, none of the ‘families’ previously included in the ‘Typhloplanoida’ and the ‘Dalyellioida’ appears to be monophyletic. As a result of this analysis, three existing and four new taxon names are formally defined following the rules of the Phylocode.

The female atrial system of members of the Polycystididae has been studied at the light microscopical level and compared among the constituent taxa. Based on the criteria of position and conjunction, hypotheses of homology are put forward and compared with the assessments of homology found in earlier literature. Contradictory terminology is synonymized and adapted to fit new findings that recognize homology among structures in different taxa. Based on differences in position and structure, 2 types of female duct are recognized: female duct type I and female duct type II. The term “female bursa” is restricted to a sperm resorbing organ at the proximal end of the female duct type I and/or at the end of a common oviduct. Some species have bundles of glands at the place where the oviduct(s) enter the female duct type I, which are considered homologous among these species. Different types of seminal receptacles are recognized. The term “insemination duct” is restricted to the ducts which in some species, in addition to the oviducts, connect the ovaries with the female duct type I. A single muscular duct, the common oviduct, connects the joined oviducts with the female duct type I in species of Duplacrorhynchus and is considered homologous with the similar duct present in some other species. A uterus is always present, entering the common genital atrium through its frontal wall, or entering a female duct type II. This morphological review of the female atrial system reveals a mosaic distribution of characters if applied to previous phylogenies that are based primarily on the male reproductive system.

Thirteen species of Typhloplanoida from the Australian east coast and New Caledonia are reported, six of them new to science. Three of these new species are representatives of the Promesostomidae: Coronhelmis cuypersi new species, Coronhelmis novaecaledoniae new species, and Kymocarens kanakorum new species. Austradenopharynx reynaertsi new genus and species is a member of the Solenopharyngidae. Two species are placed within the Typhloplanidae: Kaitalugia lydieae new genus and species and K. falcata new species. Furthermore, new localities are given for Messoplana minuta, known from the Weddell Sea, Brinkmanniella palmata, occurring on the North American Pacific coast, the Swedish west coast and in the Black and Mediterranean Seas, Ceratopera axi, a cosmopolitan species, and Vauclusia conica and Pilamonila bimascula, two Australian species. For the sake of completeness, two more species of which insufficient material is available, are mentioned. A complete species list of all marine Typhloplanoid...

A morphological and taxonomic account of the genus Trigonostomum is provided. All known species are discussed and briefly re-described where necessary. Seven new species are described: T. franki from Curacao, Florida (USA), the East African Coast and New Caledonia, T. nataschae from the French sub-Antarctic island Kerguelen, T. spinigerum from New Caledonia and T. watsoni from the Australian East Coast and New Caledonia. T. tori and T. galapagoensis, both formerly enclosed in T. setigerum, are considered new species, while T. australis also belongs to the same species group. Proxenetes denhartogi is transferred to Trigonostomum. Based on a comparison of old and new material, T. marki is synonymized with T. penicillatum, while T. prytherchi and T. divae are regarded as junior synonyms of T. lilliei; T. intermedium and T. quadrifolium are considered synonyms of T. coronatum. Three species are considered species inquirendae: T. brunchorsti, T. piriforme and Marinellia lingulifera. Similarities and differences of the 17 valid species are discussed and summarized in an identification key. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 141, 271‐296.

A comparative lightmicroscopical study of the male atrial system of the Polycystididae is presented. Firstly, the different glandular structures associated with the male atrial system are compared. This has lead to the recognition of eight different types of glandular vesicles, four of which are considered prostate, the other four accessory. Secondly, the different hard structures that can be found in the male atrium are discussed and compared. These hard structures can consist of numerous hard spines (armed cirrus), but mostly the hard structure is a single- or double-walled tubiform stylet, or a plate-shaped stylet. Different types of stylets can be recognised, some of which are associated with a prostate vesicle and therefore considered prostate stylets. Using the criteria of position and conjunction, conjectures of homologies are put forward. These primary homologies are compared with homology assessments found in earlier literature.

Ten species of Macrostomorpha were found in marine environments of the Algarve (Portugal). Six of them were found in the Ria Formosa, a vast intertidal euryhaline lagoon system that dominates the most Eastern coast of the Algarve: two unidentified species of Microstomum Schmidt, 1848, Macrostomum cf. rubrocinctum Ax, 1951 and two unidentified species of Macrostomum Schmidt, 1848, Paromalostomum dubium (de Beauchamps, 1927), Paromalostomum minutum Rieger, 1971 and Cylindromacrostomum faroensis n.sp.. Comparison of this species with C. mediterraneum (Ax, 1955) and the species from Venice, considered to be C. mediterraneum by Rieger (1977), leads to the conclusion that the individuals studied by Rieger are in fact representatives of a separate species, C. riegeri n.sp.. Acanthomacrostomum spiculiferum PapiSwedmark, 1959 was found in the Atlantic, 10-15 m deep, near the western coast of the Algarve. Haplopharynx papii n. sp. occurs on the beach exposed to the Atlantic as well as in the Ria Formosa. All identified and previously known (marine) species found in the Algarve had been found before, either in the Atlantic or in the Mediterranean basin.

Seven species from the Galapagos of different subfamilies of the Polycystididae are described and discussed. Four of them are new to science, three of which belong to the subfamily Duplacrorhynchinae Schockaert & Karling 1970: Djeziraia incana n. sp. differs from the other species of the genus by its long, thin stylet; Phonorhynchoides haegheni n. sp. is unique within the genus, as the prostate stylet is much shorter than the accessory stylet; Parachrorhynchus jondelii n. sp. is characterised by the presence of a bundle of atrial glands, paired seminal vesicles, a very large sphincter at the distal end of the female duct, and a ring of hard plates at the distal end of each ovary. of the Macrorhynchinae Evdonin 1977, Macrorhynchus manusferrea n. sp. differs from the other species of the genus by the shape of the stylet and the presence of a female bursa. The subfamily Polycystidinae Schockaert & Karling 1970 is represented by Polycystis ali Schockaert 1982 and Paulodora felis (Marcus 1954). The Galapagos p...

Three new species belonging to two new genera of Typhlopolycystidinae Evdonin 1977 from the Galapagos are described: Myobulla myobulla n. gen. n. sp., M. dunata n. sp. and Sabulirhynchus axi n. gen. n. sp. The general anatomy closely resembles that of Limipolycystis Schilke 1970. However, Myobulla is characterised by the presence of a muscular knob with four hard teeth on the bursal stalk, while Sabulirhynchus has a pear-shaped seminal receptacle and lacks an accessory glandular organ. The Myobulla species differ from each other in the shape and dimensions of the stylet; S. axi has a plate-like stylet. An undescribed species of Limipolycystis is mentioned but is not described because we lack good material. The subfamily Typhlopolycystidinae is briefly discussed; diagnoses for the new taxa and an emended diagnosis for the subfamily are given. Limipolycystis swedmarki Karling 1978 is transferred to the genus Myobulla: as M. swedmar- ki (Karling 1978) n. comb. The name Lagenopolycystis n. nom. is proposed to...

The taxonomy of the genus Polycystis Kolliker, 1845 sensu Schockaert & Karling, 1975 is discussed. Character analysis reveals the monophyletic state of the three species groups these authors defined within it. As no synapomorphies for the three groups can be found, the genus is split in three genera: Polycystis Kolliker, 1845, Macrorhynchus Graff, 1882 and Paulodora Marcus, 1948. The systematic position of Macrorhynchus yaganus (Marcus, 1954) Evdonin, 1977 is also discussed, resulting in the erection of the new genus Marcusia gen. n.

Five new species of the new taxon Brunetorhynchus n. gen. are described: B. deconincki n. sp., B. microstylis n. sp. and B. complicatus n. sp. are from the Mediterranean, B. canariensis n. sp. is from the Canary Island Lanzarote, B. cannoni n. sp. is from the Australian East coast and one species from the Galapagos, formerly described as Limipolycystis spec., is transferred to the new genus as B. dubius n. sp.. As in Limipolycystis, these species have a single stylet, (accessory stylet type II), an accessory secretion vesicle (type II) and a prostate vesicle (type III) in the male atrium, although the latter vesicle is absent in some species. Unlike the species of Limipolycystis, where the seminal receptacle is a sclerotized tubule, the species of the new taxon have a pear-shaped seminal receptacle on the oviduct.

A comprehensive overview is given of the representatives of the taxon Gallorhynchus Schockaert & Brunet, 1971: the two known species G. simplex and G. mediterraneus of Schockaert & Brunet, 1971, Syltorhynchus schockaerti Noldt, 1989, which is transferred to the taxon Gallorhynchus, and four new species, G. elegans n. sp., G. faroensis n. sp., G. genista n. sp. and G. bidaformis n. sp.. G. schockaerti occurs in the North Sea; all other species were found in the western Mediterranean and in south Portugal. Collecting trips of ERS and BST to the Algarve were possible thanks to the EU FP7 ASSEMBLE grant agreement no. 227799. We also thank the Centro de Ciencias do Mar (Centre of Marine Sciences) of the University of the Algarve, Portugal, for providing excellent working and sampling facilities, in particular Dr. Ana Amaral for the kind and efficient logistic support and Dr. Jorge Goncalves for collecting the samples at the islands near Sagres. Special thanks also go to the skipper of the Zodiac for his help with sampling in the Ria Formosa. We thank Dr. Paul Martens for the material from Calvi and from Livorno. We thank Dr. Nikki Watson for correcting the language of the manuscript and Mrs. Natascha Steffanie for preparing the sectioned specimen.

Proseriata is a diverse and species-rich taxon of Neoophora (Platyhelminthes). The group is divided into two morphologically well-characterised taxa: Lithophora and Unguiphora. Previous molecular analyses, aimed at ascertaining in-group relationships of the Proseriata, were equivocal in supporting the monophyly of the Lithophora, and of one of its families, the Coelogynoporidae. Here we present a new phylogeny of the Proseriata, based on complete ssrDNA and partial (D1-D6) lsrDNA. The analysis includes 36 proseriate species. 13 new sequences from seven species are used, four of which from species of the Coelogynoporidae and one from a new species of the recently established family Calviriidae. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using Bayesian Inference (BI), maximum likelihood (ML) and maximum parsimony (MP). Clades were considered to have high nodal support if BI posterior probability and ML and MP bootstrap percentages were >90%. The resulting cladogram strongly supports the monophyly of the Lithophora. In addition, the monophyly of the Coelogynoporidae and their inclusion in the Lithophora are corroborated. Within the Lithophora, two sister clades are supported, including Coelogynoporidae+Calviriidae, and Otoplanidae+Archimonocelididae+Monocelididae respectively. In the Coelogynoporidae, there was a poor correspondence between estimates of phylogeny and the monophyly of genera, suggesting the family is in need of systematic revision. Current morphology-based systematic arrangements of Otoplanidae and Monocelididae are not supported by molecular results. The enigmatic taxon Ciliopharyngiella (formerly included in the Rhabdocoela) clusters with the Unguiphora, although with low support. One new species of Coelogynoporidae (Parainvenusta englarorum n. gen n. sp.) is described and discussed in the appendix.

An overview of the marine rhabdocoel fauna of Uruguay is given. Eight species, new to science, are described and discussed. Two of these, Acirrostylus poncedeleoni n.g. n.sp. and Polliculus cochlearis n.g. n.sp. could not be placed in any existing genera. A. poncedeleoni n.g. n.sp. can be recognized from other Cicerinidae Meixner, 1928 by the fact that there is only one ovovitellarium and by the lack of a cirrus in the male atrium. P. cochlearis n.g. n.sp. is characterized by the fact that there is only one testis and vas deferens, a unique situation within the Dalyelliidae Graff, 1905. Apart from these two species, six other new species are described: Cheliplana triductibus n.sp. and C. uruguayensis n.sp. (Karkinorhynchidae Meixner, 1928), Carcharodorhynchus viridis n.sp. (Schizorhynchidae Graff, 1905), Baicalellia forcipifera n.sp. (Provorticidae Beklemischew, 1928) and Vauclusia multistriata n.sp. and Coronhelmis mimosa n.sp. (Promesostomidae Den Hartog, 1964). All these species can be recognized from their congeners by the detailed structure of the genital organs in general, and the copulatory organ in particular. For four known species of Dalytyphloplanida Willems, 2006 new data are given: Ceratopera axi (Riedl, 1954) Den Hartog, 1964 (Trigonostomidae Graff, 1905), Lurus evelinae Marcus, 1950 (Luridae Sterrer & Rieger, 1990), Byrsophlebs caligulachaena (Ehlers & Ehlers, 1981) Karling, 1985 (Byrsophlebidae Graff, 1905) and Oneppus lacus Marcus, 1954 (Placorhynchidae Meixner, 1938). The occurrence of one new species of Polycystididae Graff, 1905 and the possible occurrence of Cheliplana fermata Brunet, 1968 and Proschizorhynchus atopus Marcus, 1950 are also mentioned.

Seven typhloplanoids from the Indian Ocean are discussed; six of them are new to science. We place four of the new species within the Trigonostomidae. Gandalfia bilunata gen. nov. sp. nov. is characterized by a tubiform stylet and two semilunar structures in the afferent duct. Mahurubia clava gen. nov. sp. nov. has a gutter-shaped stylet and a club-shaped mouthpiece on the bursa. Parapharyngiella involucrum gen. nov. sp. nov. is characterized by a stylet in the form of a question mark and a bursal mouthpiece with a club-shaped and a barrel-shaped part. Poseidoplanella halleti gen. nov. sp. nov. is characterized by an unpaired ovary, a funnel-shaped stylet connected with a plate, and a small, tubular bursal mouthpiece. Furthermore, new data are given on Ceratopera axi. The two other new species belong to the Typhloplanidae. Aegira annabellae gen. nov. sp. nov., a marine species, is characterized by a box-shaped stylet and a long, pseudocuticularized ejaculatory duct. Castrada trispina sp., a freshwater species, has a copulatory bursa with three spines. Mahurubia clava gen. nov. sp. nov. and Parapharyngiella involucrum gen. nov. sp. nov. occur at Zanzibar, Tanzania. The other five species have been found on Kerguelen.

Five typhloplanoids from the Australian East Coast are reported, three of them new to science. Two taxa are members of Promesostomidae: Vauclusia conica n.g. n.sp., characterised by a cone-shaped stylet, the presence of a female bursa and a very long, partially-swollen female duct; Brinkmanniella australiensis n.sp. has a funnel-shaped stylet with a smooth distal tip. Pilamonila bimascula n.g. n.sp. is a representative of the Solenopharyngidae, characterised by a stylet within a cirrus. The known species found are Ceratopera axi and Ptychopera scutulifer.

Ten species of Macrostomorpha were found in marine environments of the Algarve (Portugal). Six of them were found in the Ria Formosa, a vast intertidal euryhaline lagoon system that dominates the most Eastern coast of the Algarve: two unidentified species of Microstomum Schmidt, 1848, Macrostomum cf. rubrocinctum Ax, 1951 and two unidentified species of Macrostomum Schmidt, 1848 , Paromalostomum dubium (de Beauchamps, 1927), Paromalostomum minutum Rieger, 1971 and Cylindromacrostomum faroensis n.sp.. Comparison of this species with C. mediterraneum (Ax, 1955) and the species from Venice, considered to be C. mediterraneum by Rieger (1977), leads to the conclusion that the individuals studied by Rieger are in fact representatives of a separate species, C. riegeri n.sp.. Acanthomacrostomum spiculiferum Papi & Swedmark, 1959 was found in the Atlantic, 10–15 m deep, near the western coast of the Algarve. Haplopharynx papii n. sp . occurs on the beach exposed to the Atlantic as well as in the Ria Formosa. All identified and previously known (marine) species found in the Algarve had been found before, either in the Atlantic or in the Mediterranean basin.

We thank Nico M. van Straalen of the Department of Ecology and Ecotoxicology of Amsterdam (VU), Ronny Blust of the Laboratory for Biochemistry and General Biology of Antwerp (RUCA) and Carla Vreys of the Zoology Research Group of Diepenbeek (LUC) for comments on the manuscript and to Nikki Watson of the Department of Zoology of the University of New England for comments and language correction. The research was supported by project C.0094.92 of the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO, Belgium).

Five new species of the new taxon Brunetorhynchus n. gen. are described: B. deconincki n. sp., B. microstylis n. sp. and B. complicatus n. sp. are from the Mediterranean, B. canariensis n. sp. is from the Canary Island Lanzarote, B. cannoni n. sp. is from the Australian East coast and one species from the Galapagos, formerly described as Limipolycystis spec., is transferred to the new genus as B. dubius n. sp.. As in Limipolycystis , these species have a single stylet, (accessory stylet type II), an accessory secretion vesicle (type II) and a prostate vesicle (type III) in the male atrium, although the latter vesicle is absent in some species. Unlike the species of Limipolycystis, where the seminal receptacle is a sclerotized tubule, the species of the new taxon have a pear-shaped seminal receptacle on the oviduct.

We herewith propose that the genus Brachyrhynchus Artois & Schockaert, 2013, be renamed Brachyrhynchoides nom. nov. Artois & Schockaert, 2013. Immediately after publication of Brachyrhynchus Artois & Schockaert, 2013 (Rhabdocoela), we were kindly notified by a colleague that the name is preoccupied, being a junior synonym of Brachyrhynchus Dejean, 1821 (Coleoptera). Although we did check in the Index to Organism Names (ION; Thomson Reuters 2009) and the Global Names Index (http://gni.globalnames.org/) before submitting the manuscript, Brachyrhynchus did not gave any results, possibly because of an unfortunate writing mistake in the search string. Apart from Brachyrhynchus Artois & Schockaert, 2013, there are four other junior synonyms of Brachyrhynchus Dejean, 1821: Brachyrhynchus Laporte, 1833 (Hemiptera), Brachyrhynchus Fitzinger, 1843 (Reptilia), Brachyrhynchus Selys, 1842 (Aves) and Brachyrhynchus Van Beneden, 1871 (Teleostei). There seems to be an ambiguity about the publication date of Brachyrhynchus Laporte, which is given as 1832 by ION and GNI, but apparently should be 1833 according to Cassis & Gross (2002), who follow Direction 63/1956 of the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature (see Cassis & Gross, 2002: p.48). We therefore propose to replace the name Brachyrhynchus Artois & Schockaert, 2013 by Brachyrhynchoides nom. nov.

Three new species and two new genera of Typhloplanoida from the Western Indian Ocean are described. Feanora brevicirrus gen. et sp. n. is a member of the Trigonostomidae von Graff, 1905 sensu Den Hartog, 1964. It has a cirrus, paired ovovitellaria and an undifferentiated afferent duct. An excentric bursa opens in the fecundatorium and a large ovoid vesicle enters the afferent duct in its distal part. Gaziella pileola gen. et sp. n. and G. lacertosa sp.n. are two new members of the Promesostomidae Den Hartog, 1964. They have a long cirrus, ovovitellaria and a long muscular female duct with two excentrically placed sperm-receiving vesicles. Their most striking feature is the proboscis-like structure. Feanora and Gaziella are provisionally considered as genera incertae sedis within the resp. families.

Five new species of Limipolycystis Schilke, 1970 are described and their morphology is compared to that of the only spe-cies known, L. curvitubo Schilke, 1970. L. sicilicula n. sp., L. falx n. sp., L friedae n. sp., L. libra n. sp. and L. wallbergi n. sp. all largely resemble L. curvitubo as to the internal anatomy. They all have a caudally-situated testis and, at least inthose species for which good material is available, a seminal receptacle could be seen. This seminal receptacle is tubiform,connecting the bursa with the most proximal part of the oviduct, which is filled with sperm. All these species are mainlydistinguishable from each other by details in the shape of the stylet. Diagnoses are provided for all new species and the diagnosis of the genus is emended to reflect the new finds.

Three new species of Calviriidae are described, belonging to two new genera: Diskeria gigantea n.g. n.sp., D. tasmanica n.sp. and Paracalviria islandica n.g. n.sp. The species of Diskeria have a copulatory organ with two rings of needles of which the internal ring forms a structure resembling a stylet. The accessory organ has a large glandular reservoir connected by a muscular duct to a “true” stylet surrounded by needles. The two species can be discerned by the number and size of the needles in the copulatory organ and in the accessory organ. In the female system there is a large terminal bursa. Paracalviria islandica has a copulatory organ with one circle of ±60 needles and an unarmed, sucker-like accessory organ in the male atrium. The female system is very simple without a bursa. Contrary to the other members of the Calviriidae, P. islandica has an epidermis with insunk nuclei, no septum in front of the pharynx and no sphincter around the gut above the pharynx. The relationships of and within the Calviriidae are discussed and compared with the recent results based on DNA analyses. Morphological arguments are given for the monophyly of the taxon Calviriidae. Amended diagnoses for the family and the four genera within the family are provided.

LIMBURGS UNIV CTR,DEPT SBG,B-3590 DIEPENBEEK,BELGIUM.Watson, NA, UNIV NEW ENGLAND,DEPT ZOOL,ARMIDALE,NSW 2351,AUSTRALIA.

Acrorhynchides styliferus sp.n. from Norway and the British Isles and Polycystis contorta sp.n. and Typhlopolycystis coomansi sp.n. from Norway and the Mediterranean are described. Additional notes are given on the anatomy and distribution of Paracrorhynchus bergensis Karling, Polycystis groenlandica (Levinsen), P. crocea (Fabricius) and Typhlopolycystis mediterranea Brunet. The taxonomy of the species and the corresponding genera is discussed.

Recent data and opinions on meiofaunal ecology are briefly reviewed; and from scattered data, the place of turbellarians in the meiobenthic community is discussed. Turbellarian diversity, density, and biomass are higher in sandy habitats than in muddy bottoms. In sand, turbellarian diversity is of the same magnitude as that of other important meiofaunal taxa, while densities range between 7–25% of the total meiofauna. Mean individual turbellarian dry weight seems to be four times that of nematodes and in sandy habitats turbellarian biomass may be equal to or excede that of nematodes. Most turbellarian species may be considered as predators and in this respect may take the place occupied by macrofaunal species in muddy sediments. mens.

SUMMARY The genus Pseudomonocelis Meixner, 1943 is treated in a monographic way, with the provisory re-introduction of P. agilis (Schulze, 1851). A comprehensive description of all representatives of the genus is given, including two new species from the neighbourhood of Mogadiscio, Somalia, P. pardii and P. cavernicola. Both species have a muscular vagina and a large bursa lying behind the female duct. P. pardii is further characterised by the fact that the vagina ends in a muscular canal which opens anteriorly into the bursa and posteriorly receives the oviducts where the common female duct begins. It also has an extremely muscular penial organ. The most striking feature of P. cavernicola is an ovoid muscular organ between the female and the male genital pore. Possible phylogenetic relationships of and within the genus are discussed.

Paraustrorhynchus gen.n., P. pacificus sp.n. (California), Antiboreorhynchus novzelae sp.n. (New Zealand) and Gyratrix proaviformis sp.n. (Oregon) are described as new taxa. Additional notes are given on Gyratrix hermaphroditus Ehrbg. (new localities on the N. American Pacific coast), Scanorhynchus forcipatus Karling (new locality in California), Paraustrorhynchus elixus (Marcus) comb.n. and Alcha evelinae Marcus (new localities in California). The taxonomy of the genera and species is discussed. Viewpoints are presented on evolutionary trends and homologous atrial organs in the family Polycystididae.

The genital organs in adult specimens of Cirrifera aculeata have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. The male copulatory organ is of the conjuncta-duplex type provided with a spiny cirrus. The structure of the epithelia lining the different parts of the genital organs is described. The cirrus spines and the spines in the genital atrium are shown to be intracellular specializations. The structure and location of the cirrus spines in the Proseriata studied so far are discussed.

SUMMARY Three new species of Polycystididae are described. They occur in marine habitats in the neighbourhood of Mogadiscio (Somalia). Djeziraia pardii n.g. n.sp. has paired gonads, a male copulatory organ with unpaired seminal vesicle, interposed prostate bulb and a simple subcylindrical stylet (84 J.m long). The female atrial organs are composed of a terminal bursa with muscular stalk and adjacent diverticulum. D, pardii is probably related to Yaquinaia microrhynchus Schockaert & Karling, 1970. Hawadlia papii n. g. n. sp. has paired gonads. The male genital canal bears a large diverticulum functioning as a prostate vesicle; the unpaired seminal vesicle enters the male canal distal to the diverticulum. Cirrus with pseudociliation not enclosed in a cirrus sac. Terminal bursa with ovovitelloducts and accessory glands opening in its stalk. The male copulatory organ of H. papii shows similarities with that of Acrorhynchides Strand, 1928 as well as that of Paracrorhynchus Karling, 1956. Phonorhynchoides somal...

The copulatory organ in adult specimens of Archilopsis unipunctata has been studied by transmission electron microscopy.

Sand dwelling Turbellaria from the Delta of the Rivers Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt have been investigated. Thirty-eight samples taken from littoral and sublittoral stations in the Grevelingen, Eastern and Western Scheldt have been analysed.