Morphology of Xenodasys (Gastrotricha): the first species from the Mediterranean Sea and the establishment of Chordodasiopsis gen. nov. and Xenodasyidae fam. nov.
Todaro, M.A.; Guidi, L.; Leasi, F.; Tongiorgi, P. (2006). Morphology of Xenodasys (Gastrotricha): the first species from the Mediterranean Sea and the establishment of Chordodasiopsis gen. nov. and Xenodasyidae fam. nov. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 86(5): 1005-1015. https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315406013981
In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press/Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: Cambridge. ISSN 0025-3154; e-ISSN 1469-7769, more
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| Keywords |
Biology > Organism morphology > Animal morphology
Classification > Taxonomy
New records
Taxa > New taxa > New families
Taxa > New taxa > New genera
Taxa > Species > Cavernicolous species
Chordodasiopsis Todaro, Guidi, Leasi & Tongiorgi, 2006 [WoRMS]; Gastrotricha [WoRMS]; Xenodasyidae Todaro, Guidi, Leasi & Tongiorgi, 2006 [WoRMS]; Xenodasys Swedmark, 1967 [WoRMS]
MED, Italy, Lecce, Grotta della Principessa
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Todaro, M.A., more
- Guidi, L.
- Leasi, F.
- Tongiorgi, P.
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| Abstract |
During a survey of the Italian marine meiofauna, several specimens of the rare gastrotrich genus Xenodasys were found in a submarine cave along the Ionian coast of Apulia. The finding represents the fist record of the genus for the Mediterranean Sea and reinforces the consideration of marine caves as habitats of high naturalistic value. The specimens, analysed using different microscopy techniques, showed a new species, named Xenodasys eknomios. Scanning electron microscopy, unveiling the astonishing morphology of this unusual gastrotrich, indicates that, due to technical artefacts, light microscopy may generate unreal features, which in the past may have led to the misinterpretation of the anatomical traits of these creatures. |
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