A new species and first record of Dracoderes (Kinorhyncha: Allomalorhagida: Dracoderidae) from American waters, with an identification key of the genus

Abstract

A new species of Dracoderes, Daracoderes spyro sp. nov., is described from Hispaniola Island (Caribbean Sea), and represents the first record of this genus in American waters. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the presence of lateroventral spines on segments 3e4 and 6e9, lateral accessory spines on segment 5, lateroventral tubes on segments 2, 5 and 10, and laterodorsal tubes on segment 8. Additionally, a dichotomous key to the species level for the genus Dracoderes is included.