Contribution to the study of the mediterranean meiofauna: Gastrotricha from the island of ponza, italy

Abstract

Twenty species, 8 Chaetonotida and 12 Macrodasyida, are reported from the Island of Ponza. Among the Chaetonotida, Chaetonotus mariae is new to science. It is characterized by peculiar round scales, each with numerous ridges radiating from the base of the spine. Among the Macrodasyida, Diplodasys minor is redescribed, and Platydasys phacellatus is reported for the second time. The Italian geographic distribution and the species-substraturri relationship are also analyzed. © 1992, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.