Two new Pleioplana species (Platyhelminthes,Polycladida, Acotylea) from Turkey

Two new species of flatworms, Pleioplana bosphorensis sp. nov. and Pleioplana Okusi sp. nov., Acotylea, Polycladida, are described from the shallow rocky shores of the Turkish Straits System, northwestern Turkey. Both species are characterized by a prostatic vesicle of atomata-type, stylet and Lang's vesicle. Pleioplana bosphorensis possesses a body of fleshy consistency and without tentacles, with spermiducal bulbs; elongated seminal vesicle and rounded prostatic vesicle with four tubular chambers and a conical, strong, large and straight stylet. Pleioplana Okusi has a translucent body, tentacular knobs, large seminal vesicle, elongated prostatic vesicle with six tubular chambers, and a long slender slightly curved stylet.     

Two new marine species from South Korea with remarks on the family Stylochidae (Acotylea,Polycladida, Plathelminthes)

Two new species of acotylean Polycladida are described from Korea, Munseoma maculata gen. et sp. nov., Callioplanidae, and Crytostylochus koreensis sp. nov., Stylochidae. Munseoma maculata is characterized by a small free prostatic vesicle but only indistinctly cut off from the ejaculatory duct; a Lang's vesicle is present. Crytostylochus koreensis possesses a prostatic vesicle with tubular lining of radial arrangement. Each papillate tube is connected via a glandular duct to a single extra‐vesicular gland attached to the muscular wall of the prostatic vesicle. That morphological feature forces discussion of the relationships within the family Stylochidae. Consequently, type material of other stylochids deposited in the museums of Hamburg, Vienna, and Stockholm was borrowed to investigate the genital organs and, in particular, the interior lining of the prostatic vesicle. Based on these analyses, two new types of prostatic lining are defined, the polyglandular type and the monoglandular type. The monoglandular type is defined as having an oval to elongate prostatic vesicle with tubular lining and extra‐vesicular glands. Each extra‐vesicular gland is connected via a glandular duct with a single tube. The polyglandular type is defined as having a mostly roundish oval prostatic vesicle with long‐fingered extensions, more or less horizontally directed distad, and numerous extra‐vesicular glands. Each long‐fingered extension is connected via several glandular ducts of extra‐vesicular glands. Based on these new characters, the family Stylochidae is newly defined.     

A new genus of euryleptid flatworm (Platyhelminthes,Polycladida) from the Indo-Pacific

Five new species and one new combination of marine flatworms belonging to the new genus, Maritigrella nov. gen. (Platyhelminthes, Polycladida, Euryleptidae) are presented here from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Additional records are given from Australia, Indonesia and the Republic of the Maldives.     

New genera of pseudocerotid flatworms (Platyhelminthes; Polycladida) from Australian and Papua New Guinean coral reefs

Two new genera, Maiazoon nov. gen. and Phrikoceros nov. gen. are described respectively from Madang, eastern Papua New Guinea and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The monotypic genus Maiazoon resembles Nymphozoon Hyman, 1959 since it possesses multiple male reproductive systems and multiple female pores although the latter genus lacks a penial stylet and sucker. Phrikoceros, with five new species, morphologically resembles Pseudobiceros although it possesses only one male reproductive system as found in Pseudoceros.     

A new predatory flatworm (Platyhelminthes,Polycladida) from Botany Bay,New South Wales,Australia

A new species of Stylochidae flatworm Imogine lateotentare is described from Botany Bay, eastern New South Wales, Australia. This flatworm is distinguished from other species in the same genus mainly by having small, transparent and inconspicuous tentacles, densely packed purplish pink flecks at the posterior of the dorsal surface, distinctive purplish red colour gonopores and continuous bands of numerous frontal and cerebral eyes. Feeding and reproductive behaviour in the laboratory are described. This flatworm was found closely associated with the barnacle Balanus variegatus (Darwin, 1854) on which it fed by extending its pharynx over the barnacle opercular and sucking out the flesh but ejecting the cirri. It consumed one Balanus variegatus in a 14‐day observation period and it was observed feeding exclusively at night.     

Taxonomic and biological observations on the tiger flatworm,Maritigrella crozieri (Hyman, 1939), new combination (Platyhelminthes,Polycladida, Euryleptidae) from Florida waters

The tiger flatworm, Maritigrella crozieri (Hyman, 1939) (Platyhelminthes, Polycladida, Cotylea) new combination, is redescribed from eastern Florida and the Florida Keys. This marine flatworm is one of the most common polyclads within warm temperate to tropical west Atlantic, yet it has been misidentified consistently as a pseudocerotid. Animals were kept alive in the laboratory for 3 weeks for biological observations. Findings indicated that these euryleptids employ hypodermic insemination, with multiple copulations occurring over several days. Sperm was transferred in sperm bundles bilaterally with little apparent damage to the epidermis of the copulating worms. Copulation sessions were variable and lasted an average of 15.4 min. In situ and laboratory observations indicated that M. crozieri fed exclusively on the mangrove ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata Herdman, 1880, an individual consuming one prey zooid in an average of 17 min and an average of 19 zooids over 24h.     

Persica qeshmensis gen. nov. sp. nov from the Persian Gulf (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Acotylea), with remarks on reproductive structures

A new genus of acotylean polyclad, Persica qeshmensis gen. nov. sp. nov. (Acotylea, Pleioplanidae), was collected from intertidal rocky shores of the Northern Persian Gulf, Iran. The genus Persica is established on the presence of small tentacles; tentacular and cerebral eyes; spermiducal bulbs; true seminal vesicle; prostatic vesicle of atomata-type; muscular coiled ejaculatory duct, provided with a stylet, absence of a vagina bulbosa or Lang’s vesicle. Persica qeshmensis is characterised by a sandy beige to light brown background colour, with pale brown microdots, light grey ventral body surface, coiled ejaculatory duct embedded in parenchymatous cell mass, elongated sigmoid stylet, a well-developed penis sheath located in a small male atrium, and with a non-muscular blind chamber extending anteriad from the vagina to the level of the genital sucker.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FAA7AA0A-6954-47D0-A5B2-1A2EC04050C3     

Polychaetes (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the Aegean and Levantine coasts of Turkey,with descriptions of two new species

In this paper, soft-bottom polychaete species collected in August and September 2011 in the Aegean and Levantine Seas (4–325 m) are presented. A total of 358 species belonging to 48 families were found. Two species, Leonnates aylaoberi sp. nov. and Levinsenia materi sp. nov., are new to science and 14 species are new records for the marine fauna of Turkey. Syllidae and Spionidae were represented by a high number of species. The highest polychaete density was estimated as 5660 ind.m^?2 in the area. The most dominant species in the area were Lumbrineris geldiayi, Owenia fusiformis and Sigambra tentaculata. A total of 21 alien polychaete species were encountered in the area, of which Streblospio gynobranchiata formed a dense population in the Aegean Sea (Izmir Bay), and Prionospio depauperata and Prionospio saccifera in the Levantine Sea. Four hot spot areas for the settlement of alien species were determined in the area.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4ECEC9B2-1604-4768-B152-BBEAE257249F     

A new stylochid flatworm (Platyhelminthes,Polycladida) from Victoria,Australia and observations on its biology

There are only four polyclad flatworms currently known from temperate waters of Victoria, Australia, although these turbellarians are common inhabitants of rocky shores. A new stylochid flatworm, Stylochus pygmaeus sp. nov. (Platyhelminthes, Polycladida) or oyster leech is described here from Port Philip Bay, Victoria. This flatworm was observed feeding on three species of barnacles by extending its pharynx over its prey and extruding copious amounts of mucus. Worms also preferred to prey on larger‐sized barnacles regardless of the species. Further observations indicated that these worms deposited eggs at night inside empty barnacle shells. Each eggmass was brooded for several days with the worms only moving off to feed. Each egg capsule contained multiple embryos and after 5 or 6 days, positively photo‐tactic, four‐lobed Götte's larvae emerged. Larvae metamorphosed to juvenile flatworms 1–2 weeks post‐hatching but failed to settle and survive.     

Phorbas posidoni n.sp. (Porifera: Poecilosclerida) from the Aegean Sea,with a discussion of the family Anchinoidae

A new species of the genus Phorbas Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864 (junior synonym Anchinoe Gray, 1867) is described from the Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean). Phorbas posidoni n.sp. is distinguished from the known Mediterranean species of Phorbas primarily by its elaborate repent-ramose habit combined with an extensive, spongin-enforced, plumoreticulate skeleton of oxea-like tornotes and the usual echinating acanthostyles and arcuate chelae. As in most Phorbas the surface bears characteristic areolae. The only other elaborate Mediterranean species, P. mercator (Schmidt) differs clearly in spiculation, since it lacks microscleres and has strongyles as the main skeletal elements. Phorbas fictitius (Bowerbank), P. tenacior (Topsent) and P. paupertas sensu Topsent are all incrusting and differ in spicule form and sizes as well. Likewise, Phorbas species from the neighbouring East Atlantic each show clear differences with P. posidoni n.sp. The genus Phorbas is discussed and compared with Pronax Gray (1867) sensu Lévi (1973). It is proposed to unite the two genera because the alleged sharp difference between the two (only oxea-like tornotes in the skeletal tracts in Phorbas, only acanthostyles in the skeletal tracts in Pronax) is compromised by a range of intermediate conditions in various species.     

Two new species of Prozercon (Plumatozercon) (Acari: Mesostigmata: Zerconidae) from Turkey

Two new species of zerconid mites, Prozercon (Plumatozercon) orhani and P.(P.) kamili, from Turkey are described and illustrated.     

Some new species of the family Zerconidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Turkey

Three new species of zerconid mites, Prozercon (Prozercon) mersinensis, P. (Prozercon) yavuzi and P. (Prozercon) kafkasoricus, from Turkey are described and illustrated, and a key to adults of known species of Prozercon provided.     

A new terrestrial planarian species of the genus Marionfyfea (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida) found in Europe

Small (c. 1 cm long) terrestrial planarians found in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France are described as a new species, Marionfyfea adventor sp. nov. Individuals of the new species have a patchy brown external appearance with small, seemingly random pale blue-ish patches. They have multiple eyes, uniserial around the anterior end, biserial or triserial laterally for a short distance then sparsely uniserial and lateral to the posterior end. The anatomy is characterized by five or six pairs of ventral testes and a single pair of ovaries adjacent to the pharyngeal pouch. The base of each ovary is surrounded by parovarian cells. The penis is of the inverted type with a basal hemispherical seminal vesicle. Two adenodactyls, one ventral, one dorsal, are present in the common antrum. The only other known species of Marionfyfea is recorded only from the Auckland Islands, New Zealand and we assume that the new species has been introduced to Europe.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7AC3D565-0BEB-4B67-8BEC-11A13A70D663     

A new Chilean genus and species of land planarian (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida,Geoplaninae) with cephalic retractor muscle and adenodactyl

ABSTRACT

A new genus and species of land planarian, Pichidamas piru gen. nov. sp. nov., is described from Pichidamas, province of Osorno in Southern Chile. Pichidamas piru is a sub-cylindrical and slender Geoplaninae characterized by the presence of a creeping sole extending 50% of the body width, a cephalic retractor muscle, five parenchymatic muscle layers, a male atrium with proximal tongue-like fold and distal adenodactyl; and ovovitelline ducts approaching the copulatory apparatus anteroventrally. Details of the organization of the cephalic retractor muscle, the absence of sensory pits, the existence of a parenchymatic muscle layer, located to the inside of the ventral peripheral nervous plexus, and an adenodactyl in the distal portion of the male atrium are unique traits seemingly reflecting an earlier branch of Geoplaninae.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:04423258-DB01-4CE3-A474-EF6B563C605C     

Annelids (Polychaeta and Oligochaeta) from the Sea of Marmara,with descriptions of five new species

This paper deals with annelids (Oligochaeta and Polychaeta) collected in the Sea of Marmara between 2006 and 2010 at depths from 0 to 66 m. A total of five oligochaete and 198 polychaete species were found. Five polychaete species, namely Prosphaerosyllis marmarae sp. nov., Levinsenia demiri sp. nov., Levinsenia kosswigi sp. nov., Levinsenia marmarensis sp. nov. and Levinsenia tribranchiata sp. nov. are new to science, and five oligochaete and 84 polychaete species are new to the fauna of the Sea of Marmara. A list of species found in the region and their maximum densities are presented at depth intervals. The present material includes six alien polychaete species, Paraprionospio coora, Polydora cornuta, Prionospio (Minuspio) pulchra, Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata, Chaetozone corona and Metasychis gotoi, of which the latter four species were new records for the region.     

A new species of Austrorhynchus (Platyhelminthes: Kalyptorhynchia) from King George Island (Maritime Antarctic)

A new species of the turbellarian genus Austrorhynchus (Kalyptorhynchia: Polycystididae) was found in King George Island (South Shetland Islands, Maritime Antarctic). The new species has eyes and white to greyish parenchyma. The type II prostate stylet has a funnel and a slightly bent tube with an inner stylet extending throughout its length; a strongly bent hook of about the same size as the tube is present. The type III prostate stylet has a foot and a style connected by a bridge, defining a broad window; the style expands to a comb-bearing plate with large teeth; the foot continues into a narrow flagellum with a distal expansion and a row of fine teeth. The species is oviparous. It can be distinguished from the other known Austrorhynchus species by the shape and size of the type II and type III prostate stylets. Out of the five known species of Austrorhynchus presenting a window in the type III stylet, the four more similar ones are found in the northern arm of the Scotia Arc and the Weddell Sea area. This is the first report of Kalyptorhynchia from the Antarctic portion of the Scotia Sea, and it confirms previous observations that the true number of Austrorhynchus species in the area must be higher than what is currently known.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:098ADF23-763B-41F6-A2F5-54F6AA8620E8     

Alien polychaete species (Annelida: Polychaeta) on the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea,eastern Mediterranean), with 13 new records for the Mediterranean Sea

The examination of benthic material collected from different depths and habitats along the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean) in September and October 2005 revealed 30 alien polychaete species belonging to 15 families. Thirteen species (Pisione guanche, Linopherus canariensis, Onuphis eremita oculata, Lumbrineris perkinsi, Dorvillea similis, Timarete caribous, Pherusa parmata, Pherusa saldanha, Streblosoma comatus, Polycirrus twisti, Laonome triangularis, Branchiomma bairdi and Janua steueri) are new to the Mediterranean fauna, 24 species are new to the Turkish fauna and 27 species are new to the Levantine coast of Turkey. The specimens collected from the Levantine coast of Turkey and northern Cyprus that were previously identified as Linopherus acarunculata and Branchiomma boholense are reidentified as L. canariensis and B. bairdi, respectively. In the light of present knowledge, the previous reports of Lumbrineris inflata and Streblosoma hesslei from the Mediterranean (Italian coast) could refer to the species L. perkinsi and S. comatus, respectively. The species new to the Mediterranean Sea are redescribed and discussed.     

Five new species of Monocelis Ehrenberg, 1831 (Platyhelminthes: Proseriata) from eastern Australia

Six species of the genus Monocelis Ehrenberg, 1831 have been found in eastern Australia. All are new to science. Five of them are formally described here. Three species (M. rupisrubrae sp. nov., M. nexilis sp. nov., and M. corallicola sp. nov.) have two clearly set pigmented eyespots lateral to the statocyst. They differ in details of the copulatory organ and karyotype. No clear synapomorphies among them or with other species of the genus could be detected. Monocelis beata sp. nov. and M. macrobulbus sp. nov. present extremely elongate, longitudinally oriented copulatory organs. They are sister species, and phylogenetic relationships with M. galapagoensis Ax and Ax, 1977 and M. hopkinsi Karling, 1966 are proposed. Australian Monocelis have distributions limited to recognized biogeographical provinces in eastern Australia: M. corallicola, M. beata and M. macrobulbus in the northern Australian Zone, M. rupisrubrae and M. nexilis in the ‘Overlap Zone’ of the central east coast and Monocelis sp. A in the southern Australian Region.