Four new species of &lt;i&gt;Pycnophyes&lt;/i&gt; (Kinorhyncha: Homalorhagida) from Korea and the East China Sea

Nuria Sánchez,Won Gi Min,Martin Vinther Sørensen,Hyun Soo Rho,Dongsung Kim

doi:10.3989/scimar.03769.15a

Abstract

Four new species of Pycnophyes are described from Korean waters and the East China Sea. Pycnophyes pardosi n. sp. is distinguished from other congeners by the presence of a single paradorsal seta on segments 2-8 and a pair on segment 9, combined with the presence of longitudinal cuticular thickenings on the dorsal and ventral sides of segment 10. Pycnophyes chalgap n. sp. is easily distinguished by the shape of its midsternal plate with the rounded posterior margin, extending beyond and overlapping half of the following segment. Pycnophyes cristatus n. sp. is recognized by its lack of ventromedial setae on segments 3-6 combined with the presence of pointed middorsal processes that turn progressively longer towards the posterior segments from segment 6. The process on segment 10 is conspicuously long, extending beyond the posterior margin of segment 11. Pycnophyes smaug n. sp. is distinguished by its general scarcity of setae which, with the exception of those in lateroventral positions, only appear in laterodorsal positions on segments 2 and 9 and in ventromedial position on segment 9. The description of four additional species brings the total number of valid kinorhynch species around the Korean Peninsula up to 26.

Highlights

IntroductionSamples from various localities in the triangle between Malaysia, Micronesia and Korea have been
Since 2008 a collaborative team anchored in the Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology and the Natural History Museum of Denmark has explored the taxonomy and biodiversity of East Asian kinorhynchs
SUMMARY: Four new species of Pycnophyes are described from Korean waters and the East China Sea

Summary

Introduction

Samples from various localities in the triangle between Malaysia, Micronesia and Korea have been. Examined during the study, with the most intensive sampling in the area stretching from the Korean East Sea, through the Korea Strait to the central part of the East China Sea. The study has already resulted in the description of 13 new species (Sørensen and Rho 2009, Sørensen et al 2010a, 2010b, 2010c, 2012a, 2012b, in press, Lundbye et al 2011) and more descriptions are currently under preparation. The collecting campaigns revealed several new species of homalorhagid Pycnophyes and some of them will be addressed and described in the present contribution. Many species bear middorsal processes or elevations along the trunk segments and males usually differ from females by the presence of a pair of ventral tubes on segment 2 and penile spines on segment 11 (Zelinka 1928, Higgins 1983)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion