Two new species of echinoderes (Kinorhyncha, cyclorhagida), E. Romanoi sp. n. and E. Joyceae sp. n., from the gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Meiofauna sampling on the continental shelf of the northern Gulf of Mexico has been ongoing since 2007, on annual cruises in collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service laboratory in Pascagoula, Mississippi. This sampling has resulted in numerous new species of kinorhynchs from the shelf sediment, two of which are described in detail in this paper. Other species descriptions from this research effort include Echinoderes augustae, E. skipperae, and E. charlotteae. We now describe Echinoderes romanoi sp. n. and E. joyceae sp. n., which are unique in their spine, tube, and glandular cell outlet patterns.