Dendrogramma enigmatica, 2014

Just, Jean, Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg & Olesen, Jørgen, 2014, Dendrogramma, New Genus, with Two New Non- Bilaterian Species from the Marine Bathyal of Southeastern Australia (Animalia, Metazoa incertae sedis) – with Similarities to Some Medusoids from the, PLoSONE 9, pp. 1-11 : 6

Dendrogramma enigmatica new species

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:9BBD1C77-4B5B-4248-8B0D- 79D598F07E05.

Figs 1–5.

Holotype. Australia, Victoria, S of Pt. Hicks , 38° 21.9'S 149° 20.0'E – 38° 21.40'S 149°20.90'E, 1000 m, WHOI epibenthic sled, RV Franklin Stn SLOPE 32, 23 July 1986, G.C.B. Poore et al., NMV F65709 .

Paratypes. 9 specimens, same data as holotype, NMV F60459 . 2 specimens, same data as holotype, ZMUC-DEN- 01 . 1 specimen used for SEM, same data as holotype, ZMUC-DEN- 0 2 . 1 specimen [fragments], Australia, Tasmania, off Freycinet Peninsula , 41° 57.50'S 148° 37.90'E, 400 m, coarse shell, WHOI epibenthic sled, RV Franklin Stn SLOPE 48, 27 July 1986, M.F. Gomon et al., NMV F60458 .

Description (holotype). Tapering stalk elongate, about 7/10 as long as disc diameter; length approximately 1.5 width at base of disc. Disc diameter approximately 11 mm (2.8 mm after shrinkage), stalk length approximately 7.8 mm (cf. Fig. 2) (2 mm after shrinkage). Disc nearly circular with single marginal notch and small rounded hump on each side of notch on disc surface. Mouthfield asymmetrically bilobed, reaching farther up one side of the stalk than the other. Disc with 37 terminals of the gastrovascular branches.

Remarks. Dendrogramma enigmatica sp. nov. differs from the following species by its much longer stalk with a bilobed mouth field, and a marginal notch in the disc.

Etymology. This species has been and still is a great enigma.