Schizorhynchia (Platyhelminthes Rhabdocoela) of Lanzarote (Canary Islands), with the description of eight new species

Abstract

In this paper, an overview is given of the Schizorhynchia collected during the I International Workshop to Marine and Anchialine Meiofauna on the island of Lanzarote. Eight species previously unknown to science are described: Cheliplana curini n. sp., C. canariensis n. sp., C. sarnensis n. sp., Cheliplanilla cavavulcana n. sp., C. todaroi n. sp., Proschizorhynchus martinezi n. sp., Schizochilus lanzarotensis n. sp. and Pseudoschizorhynchoides timoshkini n. sp. These new species are primarily distinguished from their congeners by unique features in the genital system, especially the morphology of the copulatory hard structures. Additionally, new data are presented for the known species Carcharodorhynchus flavidus Brunet, 1967. We also make note of an undescribed species, probably belonging to the genus Proschizorhynchella Schilke, 1970, collected in Lanzarote. Carcharodorhynchus worsaae Reygel, Janssen & Artois, 2014, which was collected during the same sampling campaign, is also briefly mentioned. For Carcharodorhynchus flavidus, Proschizorhynchus martinezi n. sp. and Cheliplana curini n. sp., we also report on (new) localities outside of Lanzarote.