Three new species of Neomenia (Mollusca: Solenogastres) from the Southern Hemisphere

Abstract

Archaeomenia prisca Thiele is re-examined and three Neomenia species new to science (class Solenogastres, order Neomeniamorpha) are described and defined. One species, N. naevata spec. nov., comes from New Zealand waters and two species, N. megatrapezata spec. nov. and N. trivialis spec, nov., are recorded from one sample close to the South Shetland Islands. N. naevata possesses a sub-vaginal, thin-walled epithelial gland as do several other Neomenia species. N. megatrapezata as well as N. trivialis exhibit sac-like elongations of the terminal midgut surrounding the copulatory stylet sheaths, similar to those of A. prisca. The biogeographic implications are considered.