A Global Mission

The mission of the Ocean Census is to accelerate the discovery of ocean life to advance fundamental science, empower conservation, and fuel innovation for the future of our planet.

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Gallery

Phylum

OC-SP-0002659

Species ID

OC-SP-0002659

Discovered

Phylum

Platyhelminthes

Species ID

OC-SP-0002659

Provisional Species Name

Typhlopolycystis sp_S_1811

Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS

Typhlopolycystis

Lowest Known Rank

Genus

Status

Discovered

Does the taxonomist(s) intend to work on this material further?

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Embargo

No

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Platyhelminthes

Order

Rhabdocoela

Family

Polycystididae

Genus

Typhlopolycystis

Taxonomic Remarks

The morphology of the male sclerotised structures in Typhlopolycystis sp.7 indicates a close relationship with the ‘rubra’ group of Typhlopolycystis, which includes T. coomasi, T. rubra, T. riegeri, T. tahitiensis, T. pluvialiae, T. maikoni, T. leasiae, and probably T. australiensis. In this group, both stylets run closely together, more or less parallel to each other. Specifically, Typhlopolycystis sp.7 highly resembles T. riegeri, both with almost identical stylets. However, the accessory stylet of Typhlopolycystis sp.7 is much shorter (78 µm) than in the previously known species (91–104 µm). Furthermore, the seminal receptacle in T. riegeri is small and pear-shaped, whereas it is very elongated, with a distal differentiated vesicle in Typhlopolycystis sp.7.

Received All Minimal Data for Discovery

01/04/2026

Description of Material

Species of Typhlopolycystis without eyes. Prostate stylet type III measuring 95 µm in length, with the distal part bent 90° and tapering to a rounded distal tip. The accessory stylet type II is 78 µm long, almost straight and tapers to a sharp distal tip. Both stylets are proximally connected by a small, hardly discernible ring. Seminal receptacle elongated, with a proximal, sac-shaped part lined by oblique muscles, and a terminal vesicle, separated by a sphincter.

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.

Join the census

The Ocean Census Alliance unites national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums, and universities, backed by governments, philanthropy, business and civil society partners.