Morphology and life cycle of a new loriciferan from the Atlantic coast of Florida with an emended diagnosis and life cycle of Nanaloricidae (Loricifera)

Abstract

Abstract. A new interstitial loriciferan, Nanaloricus gwenae sp. nov., is described from coarse‐sand and shell‐hash habitats (Amphioxus sand), at 15–17 m depth, 6–7 miles off the coast of Fort Pierce, FL, USA. The new species is very closely related to the type species Nanaloricus mysticus found off the coast of Roscoff, France in nearly the same kind of sediment (Dentalium sand). All life stages (Higgins larva, postlarva, and adult) in the life cycle of the new species were found through the 10‐year investigation, leading to the conclusion that all species of Nanaloricidae have only a sexual reproductive cycle. The adult of the new species can be distinguished by the different body shape, the lorical spikes and sculpture, and the shape of the scalids. The postlarva has stronger longitudinal ridges on the lorical plates and the Higgins larva has toes with smaller mucrones than those of N. mysticus. An emended definition of the Nanaloricidae is provided based on the new formula of the number of rows and shape of the scalids on the introvert. The associated meiofauna found in the subtidal sand or shell hash is both abundant and diverse. Tardigrades, gastrotrichs, and kinorhynchs are among the most common associates. N. gwenae sp. nov. is represented by only eight specimens collected during a 10‐year period of sampling this habitat.