Brunetorhynchus complicatus, Schockaert, Ernest R., Martens, Paul M., Revis, Nathalie, Janssen, Toon, Willems, Wim & Artois, Tom J., 2014

Schockaert, Ernest R., Martens, Paul M., Revis, Nathalie, Janssen, Toon, Willems, Wim & Artois, Tom J., 2014, A new genus with six new species of Typhlopolycystidinae Evdonin, 1977 (Platyhelminthes, Kalyptorhynchia, Polycystididae), Zootaxa 3755 (3), pp. 259-272 : 265-266

Brunetorhynchus complicatus n. sp. Schockaert & Artois

( Fig. 3 )

Holotype. One whole mount, France, Bay of Marseille, Cap Canaille, near to Cassis, 16 m deep, clean, finegrained sand (13 August 1965, leg. M. Brunet) ( SMNH 7838).

Paratype. One serially cross-sectioned specimen from the type locality (HU, no. 546).

Etymology. The stylet has a complicated appearance with multiple ridges and ornamentations. Complicatus (Lat.) : complicated.

Diagnosis. Species of Brunetorhynchus , with a stylet approximately 62 µm long and 10–12 µm broad, with a thickened proximal rim, open at one side from where two spiral ridges run counter-clock wise over the stylet and with additional ridges in its distal half. A rudimentary prostate vesicle (type III), at about 2/3 of the stylet.

Description. The holotype is 0.6 mm long and its eyes are far apart. The general anatomy is similar to that in B. deconincki n. sp .. The proboscis is about 1/4th of the body length with parallel conus retractors and with a thick inner circular muscle layer. The proboscis and integument retractors consist of only one or two thin muscle fibres. According to Brunet’s drawing ( Fig. 3 A), the testis is at the right side and the stylet at left side, while it is the other way around in the whole mount. The stylet is 62 µm long and 10–12 µm wide over almost its whole length. It basically consists of a tube with a thickened proximal rim that is open at one side. From there two spiral ridges run counter-clock wise along the whole stylet. Additional spiral ridges give the stylet a complex aspect, especially in its distal part. The distal third of the stylet bends over about 135° where it carries a spur. The most distal end is rounded with a wide lateral distal opening. At the level of the little spur, the male atrium contains a minute prostate vesicle (type III). The male atrium is surrounded by a strong sheath of spiral muscles. Also the accessory glandular reservoir is surrounded by thick spiral muscle fibres.

The female system is similar to that of species described above, with a single ovary, a wide oviduct with resorbing bursal part and a pear-shaped seminal receptacle with a strong sphincter at its opening.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Brunetorhynchus complicatus n. sp. (A) The living animal as drawn by M. Brunet. (B) Atrial organs in the whole mount. (C, D) Drawing and micrograph of the stylet. (E) Seminal receptacle in the whole mount. (scale bars = 25 µm)