Two species (one new) of Gnathostomulida (Bursovaginoidea: Conophoralia) from Barbados

Abstract

Gnathostomulida, a minor phylum of microscopic marine worms, now contains about 100 described species of which many have circum-tropical distribution. Sterrer (1998) listed 50 species of Gnathostomulida from the (sub)tropical northwestern Atlantic, including Austrognathia hymanae Kirsteuer, 1970 which had been described on the basis of only one mature specimen. I here provide additional information about this species as well a description of Austrognatharia barbadensis, new species.