A new genus of marine chaetonotids (Gastrotricha), with a description of two new species from Greenland and Denmark

• Published in: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
• Main Authors: Todaro, M.A., Balsamo, M., Kristensen, R.M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2005
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; Greenland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0025315405012579; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0025315405012579

Two new marine species of Gastrotricha: Chaetonotidae are described from West Greenland and Denmark. Some peculiar features suggest the affiliation of the two species to a new genus, for which the name Diuronotus is proposed. The affinity of these gastrotrichs with species of Musellifer , the only genus entirely marine and hermaphroditic, and possibly the most basal one along the Chaetonotidae evolutionary line, is discussed from a morphological point of view. The span of the geographical distribution of Diuronotus is discussed in the light of a record of an additional co-generic, undescribed species from the USA. The relationships of this genus will be important in reconstructing the evolutionary pathways within Gastrotricha: Chaetonotida.