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Observations on torquaratorid acorn worms ( H emichordata, E nteropneusta) from the N orth A tlantic with descriptions of a new genus and three new species
Author(s) -
Priede Imants G.,
Osborn Karen J.,
Gebruk Andrey V.,
Jones Dan,
Shale David,
Rogacheva Antonina,
Holland Nicholas D.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
invertebrate biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.486
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1744-7410
pISSN - 1077-8306
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7410.2012.00266.x
Subject(s) - biology , anatomy , proboscis , zoology
Enteropneusts in the family T orquaratoridae were imaged using still and video cameras in the deep N orth A tlantic and then collected by remotely operated vehicles. From this material, we describe Y oda purpurata n. gen, n. sp., T ergivelum cinnabarinum n. sp., and A llapasus isidis n. sp. Individuals of the first two species were browsing completely exposed on the sea floor, whereas the specimen of the last species was encountered floating ~1 m above the sea floor. Living specimens of Y . purpurata were 12–19 cm long and had a dark reddish‐purple proboscis, collar, and genital wings (folded dorsally over the anterior region of the trunk). Members of this species were hermaphrodites (the first ever discovered in the phylum H emichordata), with numerous separate testes and ovaries in the genital wings. Living specimens of T . cinnabarinum were 12–26 cm long and had a cinnabar‐colored proboscis, collar, and back veils (arising from the anterior region of the trunk); sexes were separate, and body shape and internal morphology closely resemble those of its brown congener, T . baldwinae , from the eastern P acific. The only specimen of A . isidis collected was a male 13 cm long and pale yellow when alive. Its body shape was proportionally shorter and broader than that of its orange congener, A . aurantiacus , from the eastern P acific, but the internal anatomy of the two species is virtually identical. [Correction made after online publication August 21, 2012 to correct species name in preceding sentence.]