Paulodora hamifer, 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 : 15

Paulodora hamifer n. sp.

( Figs 3 G, 4I)

Syn. Polycystis subcontorta in Jouk & De Vocht (1989)

Localities in the Indian Ocean. Zanzibar Island ( Tanzania), mangrove area near Pete (southern region of Unguja), sea grass from a large exposed sea grass field ( Thalassia ) (16/08/1995) (type locality). Mombasa ( Kenya), McKenzie Point, at the mouth of Tudor Creek, on Thalassia hemprichii , covered by the epiphyte Enteromorpha kylinii in pools on the rocky shore at low tide ( Jouk & De Vocht, 1989). South-west Sulawesi ( Indonesia), Kudingareng Keke, in coral sand (20 m) (04/10/1984).

Material. The specimen studied by Jouk & De Vocht (1989). Two animals from Sulawesi and one from Zanzibar studied alive and mounted. The whole mount from Zanzibar designated holotype ( SMNH, no. 7447).

Etymology. The stylet is hook-shaped. Hamus (Lat.): hook; ferre (Lat.): to carry.

Description. Habitus and internal organisation do not deviate from P. contorta (see Schockaert & Karling 1975). The prostate stylet type I is 73–84 µm long (= 79, n = 3); only 55 µm in one of the specimens from Indonesia. It is hook-shaped, with a short straight proximal part. In this part, the outer stylet forms a semitubular fold into which the sperm drains. This fold continues as a narrow gutter along the stylet from the place where the stylet starts to curve onwards. The stylets of the Indonesian specimens are a little broader and more heavily built.

The ovaries are more or less globular. Each oviduct is provided with a large vesicle filled with sperm (seminal receptacle).

Diagnosis. Species of Paulodora with the prostate stylet type I hook-shaped, ca 79 µm long (only 55 µm in one specimen from Indonesia). Outer stylet proximally forming a semitubular fold, extending distally as a narrow gutter. Bursal stalk very short. Ovaries globular. Each oviduct with a seminal receptacle.

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

Figures

FIGURE 3. Paulodora ancora n. sp. A, Prostate stylet type I (from the holotype). P. contortoides n. sp. B, Caudal body end (from a live specimen). C, Reconstruction of the atrial organs from the left side. D, Prostate stylet type I (from the holotype). E, Prostate stylet type I (from a specimen from La Réuniuon). P. drepanophora n. sp. F, Prostate stylet type I (from the holotype). P. h a m i f e r n. sp. G, Prostate stylet type I (from the holotype). P. porcellus n. sp. H, Prostate stylet type I (from the holotype).