Maritigrella stellata, Newman, 2000

Newman, Leslie J., 2000, A new genus of euryleptid ¯ atworm (Platyhelminthes, Polycladida) from the Indo-Paci ® c, Journal of Natural History 34, pp. 191-205 : 200-201

Maritigrella stellata sp. nov.

(®gures 15±17, 25)

Material examined

HOLOTYPE: G211053, WM, 29 August 1989, under rubble, reef crest, Heron Is., southern GBR. PARATYPES: G211054, WM, 28 December 1990, damaged; G211056, LS, 21 January 1992 ; G211055, WM; G211057, LS, 23 February 1993 .

D escription

Background varies from cream to light green (365 or 388U), entire dorsal surface covered with scattered red (186U) star-like markings and evenly dispersed microdots (®gures 15, 25). Median stripe and marginal band red, composed of dense star-like streaks, stripe commencing at the cerebral eyespot and ending prior to posterior margin. Ventral surface same, without median stripe. Sucker anterior to mid-line (®gure 16). Size range: 15Ö 9 mm to 32 Ö 18 mm (mature).

Seminal vesicle small, rounded oval (270 m m long), ejaculatory duct extremely long; prostate smaller than seminal vesicle, round (190 m m wide); stylet (100 m m long Ö 40 m m wide), length 5 width ratio= 1 5 2.5 (®gure 17). Female antrum deep.

D iagnosis Cream with red star-like pattern, more concentrated marginally and medially.

Etymology Named stellata for its star-like or stellate dorsal colour pattern.

Remarks No other species shows a green and red colour pattern with star-like markings.

D istribution Rare from the reef crest, Heron Is., southern GBR.