Noteochordodes talensis (Camerano, 1897) Villalobos & Zanca & Salas, 2008

Villalobos, Cristina De, Zanca, Fernanda & Salas, Liliana, 2008, Redescription of the genus Noteochordodes, reinterpretation of Noteochordodes dugesi (Camerano, 1898), a new combination of Neochordodes talensis (Camerano, 1897) and a description of a new species, Journal of Natural History 42 (3 - 4), pp. 189-204 : 195-201

Noteochordodes talensis (Camerano, 1897) nov. comb.

( Figure 3 )

Chordodes talensis Camerano 1897b, p. 375 , Figures 31–31a.

Neochordodes talensis Carvalho 1942, p. 216 .

Type locality. Camerano (1897a) describes this species from specimens from Argentina: Jujuy, San Lorenzo ( MRSNT G6 ); Salta, Tala and from Bolivia: Tarija, Mision San Francisco ( MRSNT G41 ); without assigning the holotype .

Material investigated. SEM mid-body and posterior end. BOLIVIA: Tarija, Mision San Francisco 2 „„, 1♀ ( MRSNT G41 ); ARGENTINA: Jujuy: San Lorenzo 2 „„ ( MRSNT G6 ); Salta: Tala; 1 „, 1♀ ( MRSNT G2 a y G2b); Quebrada del Toro 1 „ ( MLP 3620 ); Carapari 1 „ ( MLP 2619 ); La Candelaria, Tala 1 „ ( MLP 3617 ); Capital 1 „ ( MLP 5061 ); Oran, Tabacal 1 „ ( MACNBR 22367 ); Neuquén: Colonia Confluencia 1♀ ( MLP 3618 ); Neuquén (deposition locality unknown) 1 „ ( MLP3625 ); Tucumán: Estancia La Hiyada 2 „ ( MRSNT G38 ); Catamarca: Concepción, Pampichuela stream 2 „„, ( MLP 5710 ), Padín, La Merced stream 1 „ ( MLP 5711 ), Capital, El Tala stream 2 „„ ( MLP 5709 ), Concepción, El Simbolar stream 1 „ and 1♀ ( MLP 5708 ) .

Description

Male (MRSNT G6). The body colour is dark brown. The posterior end is rounded with a medial groove ( Figure 3A ). The shape of the cloacal opening and the presence of circumcloacal bristles could not be observed due to the dirt or sperm covering the cloacal opening. Anterolateral of the cloacal opening are scattered bristles. Posterior to the cloacal opening are short spines (postcloacal spines). The cuticle at the posterior end is covered by areoles and the interareolar groove is more or less wide and with short bristles.

The body cuticle shows high (16.1 mm) and conical areoles ( Figure 3C ). The areoles are found isolated or forming groups of up to five areoles. Areoles are perpendicular to the anteroposterior axis of the body. A blunt tubercle is usually found between two areoles. There are isolated areoles with a tubercle in a lateral concavity ( Figures 3C, D ). Space among areolar groups is wide, crossed by cuticular cords and with minutes and scattered spines.

Female (MRSNT G41). The body colour is light brown. The posterior end is rounded.

The cuticle contains low (7.1 mm) rounded areoles with a flat and smooth apical surface ( Figure 3B ). The cuticle, as in males, presents a tubercle between two areoles and a lateral tubercle in some isolated areoles. As a difference to males the areoles are low and mainly arranged isolated or in areolar groups with no more than two areoles.

The analysis by SEM of the remaining specimens studied, male and female, did not show modifications of the described characteristics for the male (MRSNT G6) and the female (MRSNT G41), respectively.

Comments

Camerano (1897a) describes this species as Chordodes talensis from Argentinian and Bolivian specimens without defining sex, measures or quantity of specimens analyzed from each locality. This information is included in this work (see below). Carvalho (1942) transfers C. talensis to the genus Neochordodes . This study by SEM reveals that the features of the cuticle correspond to those of the Noteochordodes and we therefore consider this species as Noteochordodes talensis .

Present observations agree with Camerano (1897a, b): the females are different from the males in their cuticular features.

Dimensions. Specimens from the original description of Camerano (1987a) measured in length/diameter: males (MRSNT G6) 123/ 0.4 mm; 126/ 0.8 mm; 143/ 0.78 mm and 155/ 1 mm. Males (MRSNT G41) 70/ 0.5 mm; 72/ 0.6 mm; 88/ 0.47 mm; 115/ 0.53 mm; 121/ 0.7 mm; 123/ 1 mm; 145/ 0.6 mm. Female (MRSNT G41) measured 100 mm in length and 1 mm in diameter. According to the literature, the dimensions of males vary from 75–221 mm in length and from 0.9–1.1 mm in diameter. The female measures 84 mm in length and 0.4 mm in diameter ( Camerano 1915). Males vary from 76–129 mm in length and are maximally 0.8 mm in diameter while females range from 115–285 mm in length and from 0.4–1.3 mm in diameter ( Miralles 1975). The newly reported specimens range in length from 55–210 mm in males and from 238–460 mm in females. The diameter varied from 0.53–0.95 mm in males and from 1.41–2.03 mm in females.

Distribution. ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires: Sierra de la Ventana ( Miralles and De Villalobos 1993). Catamarca: (1♀ unspecified location, Miralles 1975); Concepción, Pampichuela stream (28 ° 58 9 S – 66 ° 11 9 W) (9 „„, new record); Paclin, La Merced stream (27 ° 56 9 S – 65 ° 50 9 W) (2 „„, new record); Capital, El Tala stream (26 ° 07 9 S – 65 ° 16 9 W) (9 „„, new record); Concepción, El Simbolar stream (30 ° 21 9 S –63 ° 92 9 W) (35 „„ and 2♀♀, new record). Jujuy: San Lorenzo (4 „„, Camerano 1897a). Neuquén: Colonia Confluencia (38 ° 35 9 S – 69 ° 21 9 W) (2♀♀, new record). Salta: Tala, Estancia San Felipe (19 „„ and 1♀ as Chordodes brasiliensis, Camerano 1897a ); Carapari, Carapari stream (23 ° 39 9 S – 63 ° 06 9 W) (1 „, new record), Campo Quijano (8 „„ and 2♀♀, Miralles 1975); Tabacal (2♀♀, Miralles and Camino 1983). Quebrada del Toro (2 „„, Miralles and De Villalobos 1996); Carapari, (1 „, Miralles and De Villalobos 1996), Salta Capital (1 „ unspecified locations, new record). Tucumán: Estancia Hoyada (2 „„, Camerano 1915). BOLIVIA. Tarija, Mision San Francisco (7 „„ and 1♀, Camerano 1897a), BRASIL. South Mato Grosso, Urucum (1♀, Camerano 1915). CHILE. Salto Quilpue (1 „, Camerano 1915).

Noteochordodes cymatium n. sp.

( Figure 4 ) [non Noteochordodes dugesi Miralles and De Villalobos 2000, p. 280 , figures 1–3.]

Holotype. 1 „ ( MLP 5703 ) and Paratypes 5 „„ ( MLP 5704 ) .

Type locality. Argentina, Catamarca province, El Tala stream.

Material investigated. SEM mid-body and posterior end: Holotype, Paratypes and specimens from newly locations: ARGENTINA: Catamarca: Las Trancas stream 1 „ ( MLP 3145 ); Capayan, El Simbolar stream 2 „„ ( MLP 5707 ); La Toma ,

Miraflores stream 3 „„ (MLP 5705); Cuesta de los Angeles stream 1 „„ (MLP 5706). Salta: Tala 1 „ (MLP 3146).

Description

Holotype. The body colour is variable ranking from light brown to dark brown. The anterior end is tapering and a white cap and a dark calotte are not present. The posterior end is undivided ( Figure 4A ). The cloacal opening is oval (50 mm long) 166.7 mm from the posterior end. Around the cloacal opening there are circumcloacal spines. Scattered short bristles are distributed over the ventral side of the posterior end ( Figure 4A ).

The body cuticle contains areoles with varying shape. Usually, they are oval, but they can also appear in rounded shape, with undulated borders. The surface of these areoles is smooth ( Figures 4B, E ) or less frequently with a central depression ( Figure 4D ). The areoles are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body ( Figure 4B ) isolated or in groups of two, three or more areoles. There are areoles forming clusters of two areoles with a rounded central tubercle as high as the areoles. Among these clusters other isolated areoles are usually found, with a tubercle resting on one of their lateral sides ( Figures 4B, C, E ). The interareolar furrow is wide, crossed by thick cuticular fibres and with minute and scarce bristles with sharp ends.

The paratypes as well as the remaining specimens investigated show the same features described for the holotype.

Comments. Miralles and De Villalobos (2000) transferred Pseudochordodes dugesi ( Camerano, 1898) to the genus Noteochordodes . In the present study we analyzed, by SEM, the holotype of P. dugesi , from Veracruz Mexico (MRSNT G40) and could prove that the features of the cuticle are correspondent with those of the genus Pseudochordodes (see below), as considered by Carvalho (1942), and there are no structures characteristic of Noteochordodes . For this reason we transferred the specimens described as Noteochordodes dugesi ( Miralles and De Villalobos 2000) to a new species N. cymatium n sp.

Dimensions. Holotype: 141 mm in length and 0.6 mm in diameter. Paratypes measured in length and diameter 123/ 0.6 mm, 131/ 0.7 mm, 147/ 0.8 mm, 160/ 0.7 mm and 182/ 0.9 mm. Specimens from the description of Miralles and De Villalobos (2000) measured in length/diameter: (MLP 3145) 98/ 0.4 mm; (MLP 3146) 78/ 0.4 mm. Specimens from new locations are variable. They range in length from 83–235 mm. Diameters in mid-body range from 0.4–1 mm.

Distribution. ARGENTINA: Catamarca: El Tala stream (26 ° 16 9 S, 65 ° 22 9 W) (6 „„, new record); Río Las Trancas (1 „ as Noteochordodes dugesi Miralles and De Villalobos 2000 ); Capayan, El Simbolar stream (30 ° 27 9 S, 63 ° 17 9 W) (17 „„ new record); La Toma, Miraflores stream (28 ° 34 9 S, 65 ° 54 9 W) (4 „„, new record); Cuesta de los Angeles stream (28 ° 27 9 S, 66 ° 04 9 W) (1 „, new record). Salta: Tala (1 „, as Noteochordodes dugesi Miralles and De Villalobos 2000 ).

Etymology. The name of the new species comes from the Latin cymatilis that means waves, in relation to the features of the areolar borders.

Noteochordodes achosmosus n. sp.

Figure 5

Holotype. 1 „ ( MLP 5714 )

Type locality. Argentina, Catamarca, Los Pinos stream.

Material investigated. SEM mid-body and posterior end Holotype and 1 „ ( MCNML 6882 ) from ARGENTINA Catamarca: El Lindero ranch, in pond.

Description

The body colour is light brown. The posterior end is rounded with a medial groove ( Figure 5A ). The cloacal opening is oval (40 mm long), 240 mm from the posterior end. The cloacal opening is surrounded by circumcloacal spines. Scattered short bristles are distributed over the ventral side of the posterior end ( Figure 5A ).

The body showed a variation of the cuticular patterns. These variations are evident in the arrangement of the areoles along the whole body. In the anterior as well as in the posterior region the areoles are long and oval and are arranged in parallel groups of two, three or more areoles. These areolar lines maintain a clear transversal arrangement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body ( Figure 5B ). The cuticle of the mid-body contains low (9.2 mm), rounded areoles (8.2–14.1 mm), arranged in a disorderly fashion. These areoles are rarely isolated and were distributed irregularly forming groups of two, three or five areoles. The areolar groups can connect to each other by means of cuticular projections forming strange shapes ( Figures 5C, D ). As the other species belonging to the genus Noteochordodes , N. achosmosus presents groups of two or three areoles with a thick tubercle of rounded apex among them which originates in a circular depression ( Figures 5C, D ). There are also isolated areoles with a tubercle arising directly from the cuticle of the interareolar furrow in one of their lateral faces ( Figures 5C, D ). The interareolar furrow is wide, with scattered tubercles and short, conical spines.

Comments. Noteochordodes achosmosus n. sp. is clearly different from the other species of Noteochordodes due to the variation in the areolar arrangement along the body, the shape of the areolar groups and the tubercle located between the areolar group which arises from a deep and evident pore.

Dimensions. The holotype measured 191 mm in length and 0.5 mm in diameter. The length of the male (MCNML 6882) is 197 mm with a maximal diameter of 0.7 mm.

Distribution. ARGENTINA: Catamarca Los Pinos stream (28 ° 29 9 S, 65 ° 36 9 W), El Lindero ranch (29 ° 45 9 S, 64 ° 47 9 W) (1 „, new record).

Etymology. The name of the new species comes from the Greek: akosmos that means disorderly, in relation with the arrangement of the areolar groups of the cuticle.

Figures

Figure 3. Noteochordodes talensis. A. Posterior end of male (MRSNT G6) showing scattered bristles (arrows), short spines and the cuticle covered by areoles. B. Mid body cuticle of female (MRSNT G41) showing areoles low and mainly arranged isolated or in areolar groups with no more than two areoles. Note a tubercle between two areoles (arrow). C. Cuticle pattern of male (MRSNT G6). D. Detail of isolated areole with a tubercle in a lateral concavity. Bars: A-C 100 mm, D 10 mm.

Figure 4. Noteochordodes cymatium n sp. Holotype. A. Posterior end showing the cloacal opening and scattered bristles over the ventral side (arrows). B-D. Mid body cuticle. B. General view of the cuticle showing areoles with undulated borders and a smooth surface. Note clusters of two areoles with central tubercle (arrow) and isolated areoles with a tubercle resting on one of their lateral faces. C. Detail of one areole with a tubercle in a lateral face. D. Areoles with flat surface or with a central depression (arrow). E. General view of the cuticle showing the cuticular pattern and the interareolar furrow crossed by thick cuticular fibres. Bars: A 100 mm, B, C 20 mm, C 25 mm, D 10 mm.

Figure 5. Noteochordodes achosmosus n sp. Holotype. A. Ventral view on posterior end showing the cloacal opening and scattered bristles over the ventral side (arrows). B. Cuticle from the anterior region of the body. C, D. Cuticle from mid body showing disorderly arranged. Note a tubercle between areoles which originates in a circular depression (black arrow) and a tubercle placed laterally to isolate areole (white arrow). Bars: A, B 100mm, C, D 20 mm.