Meristoderes zmaj sp. n., a new species of Kinorhyncha (Cyclorhagida: Echinoderidae) from the Adriatic Sea

Abstract

A new species of the cyclorhagid genus Meristoderes is described. Meristoderes zmaj sp. n. is distinguished from its congeners by its unique arrangement of spines and tubes. It possesses acicular spines on segments 4, 6 and 8 in middorsal position and on segments 6–9 in lateroventral position; and tubes on segment 2 in subdorsal, midlateral and ventrolateral position, on segment 5 in lateroventral position and on segment 10 in laterodorsal position. With the formal description of M. zmaj sp. n., the number of species within the genus is increased to 10. In addition, the appearance of a new species and its accompanying fauna within the North-Eastern Adriatic Sea fauna, extensively studied by Kinorhyncha taxonomists, is discussed.