A new species of the recently established genus Setaphyes (Kinorhyncha, Allomalorhagida) from the Mediterranean with an identification key

Abstract

A new species of the very recently erected kinorhynch genus Setaphyes is described here using scanning electron microscopy and differential interference contrast microscopy. Specimens of the new species were collected from the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Setaphyes cimarensis sp. nov. is distinguished from other congeners by the presence of unpaired paradorsal setae on segments 2–9, laterodorsal setae on segments 2–9 and ventromedial setae on segments 3–9, combined with the presence of a distinctive cuticular ornamentation at the anterior dorsal margin of segment 1 forming small, round depressions, as well as conspicuous longitudinal cuticular folds on both sides of segment 10. Moreover, the new species has a significantly larger total trunk length compared to its Mediterranean congeners. A key to all known species of Setaphyes is provided. The present contribution brings the total number of kinorhynch species around the Iberian Peninsula to 33.