Pseudochordodes dugesi ( Camerano, 1898 )

Villalobos, Cristina De, Zanca, Fernanda & Salas, Liliana, 2008, Redescription of the genus Noteochordodes, reinterpretation of Noteochordodes dugesi (Camerano, 1898), a new combination of Neochordodes talensis (Camerano, 1897) and a description of a new species, Journal of Natural History 42 (3 - 4), pp. 189-204 : 201-203

Pseudochordodes dugesi ( Camerano, 1898)

( Figure 6 )

Chordodes dugesi Camerano 1898, p. 73 .

Pseudochordodes dugesi Carvalho 1942, p. 216 .

[non] Noteochordodes dugesi Miralles & De Villalobos 2000, p. 280 , figures 1–3.

Holotype. 1 „ ( MRSNT G40 ).

Type locality. MEXICO, Veracruz, Altoyac.

Material investigated. SEM mid-body of the holotype.

Description

Holotype. The body colour is dark brown. Posterior end is undivided.

The body cuticle contains two areolar types ( Figures 6A, B ), one with big rounded areoles (24.4–37.3 mm) more or less protruding with a smooth surface or with minute pores. They are generally found isolated or in pairs, among the pairs of areoles a blunt tubercle not higher than the areoles can usually be found (megareolar pattern, Schmidt-Rhaesa 2001). The other type of areoles is small (13.9–16.6 mm) low, of irregular shape and rugged surface. In some of these areoles one or two pores with minute bristles of rounded apex can be observed ( Figures 6A, B ). The interareolar furrow is narrow and crossed by cuticular cords.

Dimensions. 322 mm long, 2 mm wide.

Comments. The reinvestigation of the cuticular features of the holotype allows us to confirm that it belongs to the genus Pseudochordodes as considered by Carvalho (1942).

Key to the species of Noteochordodes

1. Areoles are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the whole body............................................. 2

Areoles of the mid-body are disorderly arranged..... N. achosmosus

2. Areoles isolated with a tubercle in a lateral concavity.......... 3 Areoles isolated with a tubercle resting on one of their lateral sides. 4

3. Areoles conical, with smooth surface............... N. talensis Areoles elongated, narrow with flaking surface....... N. desantisi

4. Areoles smooth or with a central depression and undulated borders. N. cymatium Areoles smooth or with a central depression and smooth border................................................ … N. saltae

Conclusions

From the three species described to date in the genus Noteochordodes , two could be confirmed. The reinvestigation of the holotype of [ N. dugesi ] allowed us to prove that the features of the cuticle are coincident with those of the genus Pseudochordodes . For this reason, the specimens assigned to [ N. dugesi ] have been transferred to a new species, N. cymatium . On the basis of the cuticular patterns Neochordodes talensis is included in Noteochordodes . Furthermore, another new species, N. achosmosus could be added to the genus. Therefore, the recently known diversity of Noteochordodes is of five species.

Figures

Figure 6. Pseudochordodes dugesi. Holotype. A- B. Mid body cuticle showing areoles with blunt tubercle between them (1), (megareolar pattern) and areoles with rugged surface (2). Bars: A 100&m, B 10&m. 172×226 mm (300×300 DPI)