Typhloplanoida (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela) from New Caledonia and eastern Australia, with the description of six new taxa

Abstract

Thirteen species of Typhloplanoida from the Australian east coast and New Caledonia are reported, six of them new to science. Three of these new species are representatives of the Promesostomidae: Coronhelmis cuypersi new species, Coronhelmis novaecaledoniae new species, and Kymocarens kanakorum new species. Austradenopharynx reynaertsi new genus and species is a member of the Solenopharyngidae. Two species are placed within the Typhloplanidae: Kaitalugia lydieae new genus and species and K. falcata new species. Furthermore, new localities are given for Messoplana minuta, known from the Weddell Sea, Brinkmanniella palmata, occurring on the North American Pacific coast, the Swedish west coast and in the Black and Mediterranean Seas, Ceratopera axi, a cosmopolitan species, and Vauclusia conica and Pilamonila bimascula, two Australian species. For the sake of completeness, two more species of which insufficient material is available, are mentioned. A complete species list of all marine Typhloplanoida found in the region is given.