Pycnophyes dolichurus sp. nov. and P. aulacodes sp. nov. (Kinorhyncha, Homalorhagida, Pycnophyidae), two new kinorhynchs from Spain with a reevaluation of homalorhagid taxonomic characters

Abstract

Two new species of the kinorhynch genus Pycnophyes are described from the Atlantic Ocean, Northwest Spain, and the Mediterranean Sea, East of Spain, using differential interference contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM): Pycnophyes dolichurus sp. nov. and P. aulacodes sp. nov. Taxonomic characters from cuticular structures in homalorhagids are discussed and reevaluated. The longitudinal positions of cuticular structures along the trunk are furthermore defined, and the positional terminology is standardized. The distribution of the genus Pycnophyes in European waters is revised, revealing a poor knowledge of kinorhynch biogeography, probably due to incomplete sampling.