Paulodora schockaerti, Artois, Tom J. & Tessens, Bart S., 2008

Artois, Tom J. & Tessens, Bart S., 2008, Polycystididae (Rhabditophora: Rhabdocoela: Kalyptorhynchia) from the Indian Ocean, with the description of twelve new species, Zootaxa 1849, pp. 1-27 : 16

Paulodora schockaerti n. sp.

( Fig. 4 A–B, G)

Localities in the Indian Ocean. Zanzibar Island ( Tanzania): off Maruhubi Palace ruins, in the sand of an exposed sea grass field, very rich in detritus (05/08/1995) (type locality); beach behind the Mbweni Ruins Hotel, south of the creek, in a higher part of a sand flat with relatively coarse sand (11/08/1995); same locality, north of the creek, in a little pool with sea grass ( Thalassia ) (17/08/1995). Mombasa ( Kenya), Kanamai, coarse shell debris with a silty fraction and a little detritus from a tide pool (20/10/1992).

Material. Several animals studied alive. Four whole-mounted specimens (one from each locality), one of them designated holotype ( SMNH, no. 7449). One serially sectioned animal from Zanzibar (Mbweni).

Etymology. Named after Prof. Em. Dr. E. Schockaert, for his contributions to polycystidid taxonomy and systematics.

Description. Habitus, construction of pharynx and proboscis and general organisation of the female system do not deviate from these in P. contorta (see Schockaert & Karling 1975). The double-walled hookshaped prostate stylet type I is 74–79 µm long (= 77, n = 3). The specimen from Kenya has a slightly shorter stylet, only 62 µm long. The proximal straight part of the outer stylet forms a semitubular fold in which the ejaculatory duct drains the sperm. Distally it turns to the other side of the stylet and continues as a large rounded plate, which narrows towards the distal tip of the stylet.

The ovaries are globular to oval-shaped with the oocytes closely packed together. Each oviduct is provided with a seminal receptacle, completely filled with sperm. The seminal receptacles narrow towards the oviducts. A smaller globular vesicle, also filled with sperm, is connected to the distal part of each of the seminal receptacles. Distally from the seminal receptacles, each oviduct merges with the male bursa. This bursa is connected to the male atrium by a long and narrow bursal stalk, which is covered by a pseudocuticula.

Diagnosis. Species of Paulodora with the prostate stylet type I hook-shaped, ca 77 µm long (only 62 µm in one specimen from Kenya). Outer stylet proximally forming a semitubular fold, extending distally as a rounded plate that narrows towards the distal tip of the stylet. Bursal stalk long and narrow, covered by pseudocuticula. Ovaries globular. Each oviduct with a seminal receptacle, which in turn is connected to a smaller globular vesicle, also filled with sperm.

Discussion. See the discussion on P. w a t s o n i n. sp.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Paulodora schockaerti n. sp. A, Atrial organs (from a live specimen). B, Prostate stylet type I (from the holotype). P. subcontorta Schockaert, 1982 C, Prostate stylet type I (from a specimen from Zanzibar). P. watsoni n. sp. D, Prostate stylet type I (from the holotype). P. a n c o r a n. sp. E, picture of the prostate stylet type I (from the holotype). P. contortoides n. sp. F, idem (from the holotype), P. contortoides n. sp. F, idem (from the holotype), P. drepanophora n. sp. G, idem (from the holotype), P. porcellus n. sp. H, idem (from the holotype), P. hamifer n. sp. I, idem (from the holotype), P. schockaerti n. sp. J, idem (from the holotype), P. subcontorta Schockaert, 1982 K, idem (from the same specimen as C), P. w a t s o n i n. sp. L, idem (from the holotype).