Paulodora contortoides Artois & Tessens, 2008

Willems, Wim R., Reygel, Patrick, Steenkiste, Niels Van, Tessens, Bart & Artois, Tom J., 2017, Kalyptorhynchia (Platyhelminthes: Rhabdocoela) from KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), with the description of six new species, Zootaxa 4242 (3), pp. 441-466 : 455

Paulodora contortoides Artois & Tessens, 2008

( Fig. 6 A)

New localities. iSimangaliso Wetland Park , Eastern Shores, Mission Rocks (28°16’50.2’’S, 32°29’06.5’’E), highly-exposed tidal area with sandstone terrace covered with barnacles, mussels, limpets, corals, tunicates and algae, sand and shrubby red algae from flat rock surface in mid-eulittoral, December 5, 2009 ; same locality, (28°16’44.5"S, 32°29’08.9"E) ± 100 m south of footpath to parking lot, small brown algae from mid-eulittoral, December 12, 2009 .

Known distribution. Kenya, Mombasa, McKenzie Point & Tiwi ; Seychelles, Bird Island ; La Réunion, Plage Cap Homard; Australia, New South Wales, Arrawarra & Coffs Harbour, Mullaway headland ; Australia, Queensland, North Stradbroke Island ; New Caledonia, Nouville, Kuendu Beach ( Artois & Tessens 2008).

Material. Several animals studied alive. Two whole mounts from South Africa (HU, nos VII.3.47–VII.3.48). All material from the original description, including types.

Additional remarks. The internal organisation is identical to that given by Artois & Tessens (2008). Individuals are 0.5–0.7 mm long (measured on whole mounts). The prostate stylet type I of the South African specimens is 24 µm long (n = 2), which falls within the species’ range ( Artois & Tessens 2008: 18–41 µm). Its detailed structure is very similar to that of a specimen from La Réunion, depicted by Artois & Tessens (2008: Fig. 3 E). In the latter specimen and the South African specimens the flap of the outer stylet that runs parallel to the proximal part of the stylet is slightly pointed and clearly extends beyond the stylet’s curve. In most Australian specimens this flap has a blunt distal end and is a little shorter. However, as a pointed, elongated flap is also observed in one of the Australian specimens, this variation could be intraspecific. Proper species delimitation within this taxon will require more morphological and molecular data, especially from Australia where the two morphotypes seem to co-occur.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Bhambathorhynchus abursalis n. gen. n. sp. A. General organisation (from a live specimen completed with observations on sectioned material). B. Reconstruction of the proboscis from the left-hand side. C. Reconstruction of the pharynx from the left-hand side (B – C from a paratype). D. Hooks in male genital system (from the holotype). E. Reconstruction of the atrial organs from the left-hand side (from a paratype; proximal part of female system is moved dorsally for reasons of clarity).

FIGURE 6. Paulodora contortoides Artois & Tessens, 2008. A. Prostate stylet type I. Paulodora drepanophora Artois & Tessens, 2008. B. Prostate stylet type I. Phonorhynchoides gondwanae n. sp. C. umbrella-shaped " nozzle " D. Habitus of freeswimming animal. E. Caudal body end with the atrial organs (from a live specimen). F. Accessory stylet type IV (from the holotype). G. Prostate stylet type IV (from the holotype).