A new species of Antygomonas (Kinorhyncha: Cyclorhagida) from the Atlantic coast of Florida, USA

A new kinorhynch species, Antygomonas paulae sp. nov., is described from the West Atlantic coast off Fort Pierce, Florida, USA. The new species is characterized by the presence of a first trunk segment consisting of one complete ring with concavities in the anterior middorsal and midventral margins, and the following 10 segments consisting of a tergal and two sternal plates. Middorsal spines are present on all segments, whereas lateroventral/lateral accessory cuspidate and acicular spines are present on trunk segments 2 through 9. Antygomonas paulae sp. nov. is distinguished from the two currently described species of Antygomonas by the combination of absence of cuspidate spines on trunk segment 6 and the presence of lateroventral cuspidate spines and lateral accessory acicular spines on trunk segment 9. The diagnostic characters and the general morphology of the new species are discussed with special emphasis on the introvert and appearance and distribution of sensory spots.