Carcinonemertes regicides n.sp. (Nemertea), a symbiotic egg predator from the red king crab, Paralithodes camtschatica (Decapoda: Anomura), in Alaska

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Shields, Jeffrey D., Wickham, Daniel E., Kuris, Armand M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1989
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Red king crab; Alaska
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z89-134; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z89-134

A symbiotic nemertean worm, Carcinonemertes regicides n.sp., found on red king crabs, Paralithodes camtschatica, is described and compared with other members of the genus Carcinonemertes. The family Carcinonemertidae Humes, 1942 is emended to include this species and to include known but as yet undescribed members. The following familial characters are considered diagnostic: (i) symbiotic relationship with a decapod crustacean, (ii) short proboscis, (iii) absence of cerebral organs, (iv) presence of Takakura's duct, and (v) a hoplonemertean larva. The new species of Carcinonemertes has a relatively large basis and stylet, a large anterior proboscis chamber, and a newly described flame cell pattern of 2[(1 + 1 + 1 + 1)]. In addition, at maturity it is the smallest member of the genus (typical adult size is 2.0 mm in length), and female worms bear ovarian pores before oviposition. The above characters distinguish this species from others in the genus.