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-0002981

Species ID

OC-SP-0002981

Discovered

Phylum

Nemertea

Species ID

OC-SP-0002981

Provisional Species Name

Tetrastemma sp_SMTM015

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

14/07/2025

Taxonomic Remarks

Colour pattern is distinct from all other known described and undescribed congeners. COI sequence divergence from closest congeners 11-12%.

Received All Minimal Data for Discovery

08/04/2026

Description of Material

Body 5 mm long, 0.2-0.3 mm wide, uniformly brown, speckled with numerous bluish-green iridescent dots; with four ocelli, anterior pair entirely masked by an oval-shaped dark brown cephalic pigment patch, which is flanked anteriorly by an opaque yellowish-white patch and posteriorly by the oblique cerebral organ furrows. An opaque white pigment patch found posterior to the cerebral organ furrow. Neck furrow inconspicuous. Bluntly rounded posterior end is marked by a small opaque white spot. Stylet armature characteristics not recorded.

Ecology

Associated with branching coralline algae.

Distribution

Only known from Dili, 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.