Pycnophyidae (Kinorhyncha: Allomalorhagida) from the Gulf of Mexico: Fujuriphyes viserioni sp. nov. and a redescription of Leiocanthus langi (Higgins, 1964), with notes on its intraspecific variation

Abstract

Fujuriphyes viserioni sp. nov. is described from the Gulf of Mexico. The new species is characterized by the scarcity oflaterodorsal setae, and the abundance of ventrolateral setae, which are present on segments 1, 3–8, and 10, with two pairs onsegment 5 and one pair on the remaining segments. Moreover, Fujuriphyes viserioni sp. nov. is recognized by the general absenceof middorsal specializations along the trunk and the lack of ventral tubes on segment 2 in males. Type material of Leiocanthuslangi (Higgins, 1964) and L. fimbriatus (Higgins, 1982) and additional specimens of L. langi collected from the Gulf of Mexicowere furthermore studied in detail. Their examination revealed that L. fimbriatus is a junior synonym of L. langi, a species with anunusually high intraspecific variation in its morphology. Identification keys to all known species of Fujuriphyes and Leiocanthusare provided together with emended diagnoses for both genera.