Species ID
OC-SP-0002641
Discovered
Phylum
Platyhelminthes
Species ID
OC-SP-0002641
Provisional Species Name
Polycystididae sp_IRLBB_01834
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Polycystididae
Lowest Known Rank
Family
Status
Discovered
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Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Platyhelminthes
Order
Rhabdocoela
Family
Polycystididae
Taxonomic Remarks
Polycystididae sp.3 belongs to the same genus of two species described in the previous inform to the Ocen Census (Polycystididae sp.1 and Polycystididae sp.2). It differs from the previously described species in two main characteristics: 1) the ejaculatory duct in Polycystididae sp.3 is armed of triangular spines, whereas it is unarmed in other two species; and 2) the morphology of the prostate stylet type II is distinctive because of its distally bent tip. The prostate stylet type II in Polycystididae sp.3 is also the smallest (74 µm) compared to that of Polycystididae sp.1 (130 µm) and Polycystididae sp.2 (133 µm).
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
01/04/2026
Description of Material
Polycystididae sp.3 is characterised by a type II prostate vesicle connected to a type II prostate stylet. The ejaculatory duct opens distally into the male atrium (divisa-type). The ejaculatory duct is armed of 2–3 µm long, triangular spines. The stylet bends at approximately 90° at its mid point, forming an L-shape, and measures 74–96 µm in length (x¯ = 85 µm; n = 2). The proximal part of the stylet shows a well-developed funnel and distally ends in a twisted, sharp tip.
Ecology
Medium-grained and well-sorted sand, 2 m deep, salinity 35 ‰. Fine-grained, silty sand, 0.5 m deep, salinity 37 ‰.
Distribution
United States of America, Florida, Fort Pierce Inlet, 27.45599; -80.30953. United States of America, Florida, Florida Keys, Key Laiton, 24.826518; -80.814724.
Scientific Name Authorship
Diez, Yander L.
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