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-0002980

Species ID

OC-SP-0002980

Discovered

Phylum

Nemertea

Species ID

OC-SP-0002980

Provisional Species Name

Tetrastemma sp_SMTM013

Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS

Tetrastemma

Lowest Known Rank

Genus

Status

Discovered

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

3. I/We are not sure yet. This is of course no problem, we will display your species info (if not embargoed) while you work out your species description plan.

Embargo

No

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Nemertea

Class

Hoplonemertea

Order

Monostilifera

Family

Tetrastemmatidae

Genus

Tetrastemma

Date Identified

22/07/2025

Taxonomic Remarks

Differs from other known congeners by a distinct colour pattern and COI sequence (12 % divergence from the nearest relative).

Received All Minimal Data for Discovery

08/04/2026

Description of Material

Body 5-7 mm long, 0.25-0.3 mm wide, semi-translucent, except for the gut, with two narrow ochre-coloured longitudinal dorsal stripes extending from cephalic lobe to posterior tip; with four ocelli, anterior pair largely obscured by an opaque anterior white cephalic patch and an adjacent posterior dark brown cephalic patch. Posterior pair of ocelli visible at the level of cerebral organ furrows, which are oblique and conspicuous. Additional small opaque white patch found between the two posterior ocelli. Neck furrow inconspicuous. Bluntly rounded posterior tip is opaque white with one or two small dark brown spots anterior to the opaque white region and marking the posterior end of the dorsal ochre stripes. Stylet basis truncated, widening distally (skirt-shaped), S/B =0.8. Two accessory stylet sacs with 2-3 stylets each.

Ecology

Associated with coral rubble.

Distribution

Only known from Atauro Island, Timor-Leste.

Scientific Name Authorship

Maslakova, Svetlana

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.