Species ID
OC-SP-0002633
Discovered
Phylum
Platyhelminthes
Species ID
OC-SP-0002633
Provisional Species Name
Mariplanella sp_S_1810
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Mariplanella
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
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Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Platyhelminthes
Order
Rhabdocoela
Family
Mariplanellidae
Genus
Mariplanella
Taxonomic Remarks
Mariplanellidae is a small group of rhabdocoel flatworms that have recently been identified as the sister taxon of both Dalytyphloplanida and Kalyptorhynchia. Until now, four species of Mariplanellidae are known, two of them within Mariplanella. One of the most striking characteristics that allows an early identification of the species of Mariplanella is the presence of two types of rhabdite tracts opening in the anterior part of the body (filiform and very long or thicker and shorter). The morphology of the male stylet is the main character to differentiate species of Mariplanella. The bursa shows a double connection: with the common atrium and with the single ovary. Mariplanella sp.1 is clearly different because of its straight stylet, without distal flaps, whereas it distally bends 90° and shows a broad lateral flap in M. frisia, and bends over 90° and shows a ridge connecting the distal tip and the proximal part of the stylet in M. piscadera.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
01/04/2026
Description of Material
Species of Mariplanella without eyes. The stylet is tubular, proximally funnel-shaped, and distally, laterally expanded. Stylet 23–29 µm long (x¯ = 26 µm; n = 3), 8–11 µm wide at the proximal funnel (x¯ = 10 µm; n = 3), 3–4 µm wide at its middle part (n = 3), and 10–14 µm wide distally (x¯ = 12 µm; n = 3).
Ecology
Fine-grained, silty sand, 0.5 m deep, salinity 35 ‰.
Distribution
United States of America, Florida, Fort Pierce, Old Ford Park, 27.437535; -80.319533.
Scientific Name Authorship
Diez, Yander L.
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