Styraconyx paulae Robotti, 1971

Kaczmarek, Łukasz, Bartels, Paul J., Roszkowska, Milena & Nelson, Diane R., 2015, The Zoogeography of Marine Tardigrada, Zootaxa 4037 (1), pp. 1-189 : 106

114. Styraconyx paulae Robotti, 1971

Styraconyx paulae spec. nov. ( Robotti 1971)

Terra typica: Tyrrhenian Sea (Europe, Italy)

Tyrrhenian Sea:

• 38°48′N, 15°15′E; 2 m bsl: [FAO37] Type locality: Italy, Aeolian Islands, Stromboli Island, submerged ravine, from scleractinian coral ( Coenocyathus dohrni Död. ). Robotti (1971)

Record numbers (Sea/Ocean classification): Tyrrhenian Sea: 1; total: 1.

Record numbers (FAO classification): FAO37: 1; total: 1.

Remarks: This species belongs to the sargassi group and is very similar to S. sargassi . The original description was based on a single specimen, and it is known only from the type locality. However, Pollock (1983) suggested that some specimens attributed to B. tetronyx should be recognised as Styraconyx paulae . But, these B. tetronyx specimens were attributed by Renaud-Mornant (1967b) to S. sargassi , although later Pollock’s interpretation was confirmed by Kristensen & Higgins (1984a). In conclusion, this species is known from only one specimen, its diagnosis is uncertain, and the species is in need of redescription.