Dorymenia vagans ( Kowalevsky & Marion, 1887 )

Cobo, M. Carmen, Farris, William J. & Kocot, Kevin M., 2024, New data on the biodiversity of Solenogastres (Mollusca, Aplacophora) in the Mediterranean Sea: findings from the program “ Our Planet Reviewed ” Corsica 2019 - 2022, Zoosystema 46 (21), pp. 543-576 : 571-572

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5252/zoosystema2024v46a21
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C0248862-CBE2-4468-8494-93AD1580A542
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13749478
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/466087B7-FFBF-210F-265C-6E30EBC3F853
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Dorymenia vagans ( Kowalevsky & Marion, 1887 )
status

Treatment

Dorymenia vagans ( Kowalevsky & Marion, 1887) View in CoL

Proneomenia vagans Kowalevsky & Marion, 1887: 29 View in CoL .

Dorymenia vagans View in CoL – Nierstrasz & Strork 1940: 15.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Corsica (France) [6 specimens] • 2 specimens (used for sclerite preparations, DNA extractions and histology); CORSICABENTHOS 3 ( Table 2 View TABLE ); 50 m depth; MNHN-IM-2019-18271; GenBank: OR456218; OR458915 (1 microscope slide with sclerites, 23 slides with 5 µm serial sections); MNHN-IM-2019-18272; GenBank: OR458906 (1 microscope slide with sclerites, 9 slides with 5 µm serial sections ) • 4 specimens (preserved in 95% ethanol); CORSICABENTHOS 3 ( Table 2 View TABLE ); 50 m depth; MNHN-IM-2019-18274, MNHN-IM-2019-18275, MNHN-IM-2019-18276, MNHN-IM-2019-18278.

DESCRIPTION

Robust animal (5-6 × 1.5-2 mm) ( Fig. 3D View FIG ), with a slightly pointed posterior end, but without a clear digitiform projection. Brownish to yellow. With a thick cover of hollow acicular sclerites (120-260 × 18-20 µm) ( Fig. 7H View FIG ). With longer and slightly distally flattened sclerites (125-200 × 20- 22 µm) and knife-like scales next to the pedal groove (84 × 40 µm) ( Fig. 7H View FIG ). Polyserial radula with 14 teeth per row, the two central teeth being wider than the laterals. With a pair of large copulatory stylets ( Fig. 14B View FIG ) and two bundles of abdominal spicules. Opening of the mantle cavity narrow and elongate. With one dorso-terminal sensory organ ( Fig. 14B View FIG ), not visible externally.

REMARKS

Based on their external aspect and the proximity of the collection locality to the type locality of Dorymenia vagans ( Kowalevsky & Marion 1887) , these six specimens were tentatively identified as belonging to this species. Nevertheless, there are two species of “ Proneomeniidae ” Simroth, 1911 (nonmonophyletic according to Kocot et al. 2019 and Cobo et al. 2023) known from the Mediterranean Sea: Dorymenia vagans and Proneomenia desiderata Kowalevsky & Marion, 1887 . These species have a similar distribution and almost identical external aspect. DNA barcoding was useful in this case to confirm the classification of the Corsica specimen in the genus Dorymenia . Moreover, the existence of copulatory stylets and the general configuration of the internal anatomy corresponds with what was described for D. vagans ( Kowalevsky & Marion 1887; Nierstrasz & Stork 1940; García-Álvarez et al. 2009), confirming the initial identification based on the habitus.

The four specimens collected in Corsica (50-56 m) extend the distribution of D. vagans in the Mediterranean Sea. This species was first described from Marseille ( France) from a depth of 20 m and a neotype was established from the Gulf of Naples ( Italy) from a depth of 20-60 m ( Nierstrasz & Stork 1940). As was the case for the Corsica specimens, the species was collected before from sandy bottoms with Posidonia ( Nierstrasz & Stork 1940; García-Álvarez et al. 2009).

SOLENOGASTRES DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION

OFF CORSICA

This work includes the first records of solenogasters species in Corsica (Mediterranean Sea), extending the geographical and depth range of nine Mediterranean species and constitutes the first record of Simrothiella margaritacea in this area. With this and the proposed synonymy between Eleutheromenia sierra and E. carinata , the number of known Mediterranean species remains at 31.

Based on the study of the available collection (47 specimens) we identified ten different species occurring off Corsica. The samples came from three expeditions around Corsica sampling the North, South and West coast of the island ( Fig. 1 View FIG ). Solenogasters were collected in 11 sampled stations during CORSICABENTHOS 1 (23 specimens belonging to four species), six stations during CORSICABENTHOS 2 (six specimens, four species) and five stations during CORSICABENTHOS 3 (18 specimens, six species) ( Table 2 View TABLE ). The number of specimens collected at each station was homogeneous, with only one specimen recovered at most stations, regardless of the sampling method. Although there are exceptions ( Table 2 View TABLE ) and stations CP07, with eight specimens collected, CS 24 with seven and station CS 83, with six specimens, stand out ( Table 2 View TABLE ). Dondersia festiva is the most abundant species off Corsica according to our data, with 19 specimens collected in two of the expeditions, followed by Pruvotina impexa with seven, Dorymenia vagans with six specimens and Unciherpia hirsuta with four ( Fig. 1 View FIG ; Table 3 View TABLE ). On the contrary, for four of the species only one specimen was collected ( Tegulaherpia cf. myodoryata , Pruvotia cf. sopita , Eleutheromenia sierra and Anamenia gorgonophila ).