Lagenopolycystis canariensis Schockaert, Diez, Janssen and Artois, 2025

Monnens, Marlies, Schockaert, Ernest R., Diez, Yander L., Revis, Nathalie, Janssen, Toon, Jouk, Philippe E. H., Tessens, Bart, Van Steenkiste, Niels W. L. & Artois, Tom J., 2025, On the genus Lagenopolycystis Artois and Schockaert, 2000 (Platyhelminthes, Kalyptorhynchia, Polycystididae), Zootaxa 5659 (3), pp. 357-376 : 366

Lagenopolycystis canariensis Schockaert, Diez, Janssen and Artois , sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E2226669-7A0D-446B-968F-4495B997CA15

( Fig. 5 )

Lagenopolycystis sp. nov. 1 in Tessens et al. (2014)

Diagnosis. Species of Lagenopolycystis with a prostate stylet of 46–65 µm (x̄ = 58 µm, n = 17), regularly curved over its whole length and with a blunt terminal end; the terminal part is perpendicular to the proximal part of which the rims are only slightly thickened. The accessory stylet is 25–49 µm (x̄ = 38 µm, n = 17), straight and very sharp ending; it is attached at the very proximal end of the main stylet. The tube of the ‘seminal receptacle’ is unknown.

Distribution. SPAIN, LANZAROTE • Mala, in front of ‘Cuevita de Mala’ N29°05’01” W13°26’59”, sand patch under loose macroalgae, coarse shell gravel, very clean, calcareous sand with basalt, 12 m deep (8 October 2011). (TYPE LOCALITY). Playa Órzola, near the open connection with the sea at high tide, N29°13’08” W13°26’28”, algae from the rocks (12 October 2011). Órzola, beach approximately 700 m south of Órzola, N29°13’20” W13°26’58”, pool connected to the sea but closed off by lava rocks; sheltered with no significant waves apart from tide and current, coarse sand with scattered lava rocks, sample taken at 40–50 cm depth, approximately 50–60 m from the shore (7 October 2011); same locality, medium coarse sand with holes from digging animals, sample taken at low tide just below the waterline (6 October 2011); same locality, N29°12’59” W13°26’32”, deeper area beyond the rocks, coarse sand (14 October 2011). Punta Jameos del Agua, offshore, N29°09’25” W13°25’38”, medium, clean sand with Caulerpa sp. , 38 m deep (15 October 2011); same locality, 12 m deep, coarse sand (15 October 2011). Mala, N29°05’01” W13°26’59”, coarse volcanic and biogenic (CaCO₃) sand among rocks, 4 to 6 m deep (13 October 2011); same locality, medium coarse calcareous sand from a very steep slope, close to black coral, 48 m deep (8 October 2011). Salinity in all localities on Lanzarote is 35‰.

PORTUGAL, AZORES, SÃO MIGUEL • Ribeirinha , N37°50’11” W25°29’01”, lots of large boulders with coarse sand around the bottom (22 July 2019) .

Material examined. Live observations and photographs. Nineteen whole mounts, one of which designated holotype ( FMNH http://id.luomus.fi/KV.545), and the others reference material ( HU XXIII.3.20– HU XXIII.3.37). Two of them could not be measured ( HU numbers XXIII.3.21 & 22). Five serially sectioned specimens, the obliquely sectioned one on two slides. ( HU XXIII.3.38– HU XXIII.3.43) .

Etymology. The species name refers to the type locality on the Canary Islands.

Additional remarks. As in L. peresi and L. poena sp. nov., the prostate stylet of L. canariensis sp. nov. is evenly curved, in contrast to the abrupt 90° angle between proximal and distal part observed in L. articulata sp. nov. Lagenopolycystis canariensis sp. nov. stands unique among these species because of the fact that the accessory stylet is attached to the most proximal end of the prostate stylet, which makes identification straightforward.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Lagenopolycystis canariensis sp. nov. A–D. Camera lucida drawings and micrographs of the stylets from A–B. the designated holotype (FMNH http://id.luomus.fi/KV.545), and C–D. reference specimens (C: HU XXIII.3.20, D: HU XXIII). E–I. Micrographs of live specimens, including E., an overview of an entire specimen, F. the proboscis (E–F: HU XXIII.3.27), G. the stylet and seminal vesicle, H. the pharynx, and I. the ovary (G–I: HU XXIII.3.55).