First report of kinorhynchs from Singapore, with the description of three new species Author Sørensen, Martin V. Author Gąsiorowski, Ludwik Author Randsø, Phillip V. Author Sánchez, Nuria Author Neves, Ricardo C. text Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 2016 2016-01-29 64 3 27 journal article 6577 10.5281/zenodo.4502533 0b64ea7f-8991-4da6-a68d-6475baba8fdd 2345-7600 4502533 819AC644-37BC-43DB-8E11-984D77804AFE Leiocanthus nagini sp. nov. ( Figs. 11–13 ) Material examined. Holotype adult male, collected from sand with mud on 16 May 2014 , at station SI-05 ( Fig. 1 , Table 1 ), at 52 m depth , at the locality “ Eastern Fairway ” southeast of Singapore Island ( 01°15.589’N 103°56.680’E ), mounted in Fluoromount G , deposited at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, under catalogue number ZRC . MIS.0004. Additional, non-type material, includes one adult female, collected from sand with mud on 16 May 2014 , at station SI-03 ( Fig. 1 , Table 1 ), at 9 m depth , between Bedok Jetty and Sungei Bedok in the southeast part of Singapore Island ( 01°18.387’N 103°57.591’E ), and mounted for SEM . Diagnosis. Leiocanthus without middorsal elevations. Paradorsal setae present on segments 2–9, paired ones on segment 4. Tergal anterior margin of segment 1 strongly denticulated and followed by a broad, ornamented area. Dorsal and ventral sides on segment 10 with longitudinal cuticular thickenings, visible with LM and SEM . Type 1 sensory spots present on segments 1–10, but not detectable on segment 11 . Etymology. The species name, nagini , is the female version of Nāgá – the Sanskrit word for a group of divine dragons or serpent deities known from Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Nagini is furthermore Lord Voldemort’s serpent, known from J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels. Table 6. Measurements from light microscopy of male holotype of Leiocanthus nagini sp. nov. (in µm) from station SI-05, Singapore. Abbreviations: LTS: lateral terminal spine; MSW: maximum sternal width, measured on segment 5 in this species; S: segment lengths; StW, sternal widths, followed by segment number; TL: trunk length. Description. The single specimen available for SEM was not suitable for introvert examinations, and detailed information on number and arrangement of scalids and oral teeth was thus not possible to obtain.
Character KIN-867 ♂ Holotype
TL 579
S1 85
S2 56
S3 61
S4 67
S5 69
S6 63
S7 66
S8 73
S9 73
S10 72
S11 37
StW1 122
StW2 138
StW3 139
StW4 139
StW5 140
StW6 137
StW7 129
StW8 128
StW9 123
StW10 116
StW11
MSW/TL 24.2%
LTS 139
LTS/TL 24.0%
Neck with four dorsal and two ventral placids ( Figs. 11A, B , 13A, B ). All placids are thick and hard, with a depressed surface, and articulating with the anterior edge of the first trunk segment. Dorsal placids are rectangular and of similar size, whereas the ventral ones are broader and curve towards the lateral sides. Cuticular folds appear between dorsal and ventral placids. Trichoscalid plates are absent. Trunk consisting of 11 segments ( Figs. 11A, B , 12A, B ). First segment with one tergal and three sternal plates ( Figs. 11A, B , 13A, B ); segments 2–11 with one tergal and two sternal plates ( Figs. 11A, B , 12B ). Dimensions and measurements of holotype are summarised in Table 6 , and distribution of spines, sensory spots and setae in Table 7 . The segment width is nearly constant along the trunk, reaching the maximum width at segment 5 and tapering slightly from this segment towards the posterior ones. Pachycycli of tergal and sternal plates are well-developed, with regular sized peg-and-socket joints from segments 2–10. Hairy tergosternal junctions, with numerous short cuticular hairs present on segments 2–10. Conspicuous, oval glandular cell outlets present in laterodorsal and ventromedial positions on segments 2–10 ( Fig. 11A, B ). Indistinct, rounded muscular scars present in laterodorsal and ventromedial positions on segments 2–10. One pair of laterodorsal and ventrolateral cuticular ridges present on segments 2–10. One pair of apodemes near the anterior margins of segments 9 and 10 ( Fig. 11A ). Segment 1 with anterolateral margins of tergal plate projecting into horn-like extensions. Tergal, anterior margin of the segment strongly denticulated, followed by a broad, longitudinal cuticular ornamentation ( Figs. 11B , 12E , 13A ). Posterior margin of dorsal plate smooth, without middorsal structure specialisation (middorsal process or elevation) or intracuticular atria. Tergal plate with one pair of subdorsal glandular cell outlets, one pair of paralateral setae ( Fig. 13B ) and three pairs of sensory spots: one pair in subdorsal and two pairs in laterodorsal positions. Sensory spots on this and all following segments belong to type 1, which are rounded and small, consisting of several small cuticular papillae around a central collar of wider papillae. Ventral side with two episternal plates and one trapezoidal midsternal plate, the latter one overhanging the anterior edge of the segment ( Figs. 11A, C , 13B ). Anterior margin of each sternal plate is ornamented and followed by a contiguous depressed area ( Fig. 13B ). Each episternal plate with a glandular cell outlet in the medial region and two ventromedial sensory spots. Pectinate fringe on both dorsal and ventral sides thin, only visible with SEM. Conspicuous parallel, cuticular wrinkles present in the posterior parts of tergal and episternal plates, but absent in the midsternal one. Segment 2 without middorsal elevation or intracuticular atria at the posterior margin of the dorsal plate. Tergal plate with a single paradorsal seta, and paired setae in laterodorsal and lateroventral positions. Paired sensory spots present in subdorsal and laterodorsal positions. Dorsal side with short secondary pectinate fringes in the anterior part of the segment, present from the tergosternal junction to the laterodorsal longitudinal ridge. Sternal plates with one pair of ventromedial sensory spots. Males with a pair of thick ventromedial tubes ( Fig. 11A ). Females instead with a pair of ventrolateral setae ( Figs. 11C , 12F ). Ventral side with secondary pectinate fringe similar to that on the dorsal side, stretching from the tergosternal junction to the ventromedial cuticular ridge. Posterior margin of tergal and sternal plates with conspicuous parallel, cuticular wrinkles. Tergosternal junctions with numerous short cuticular hairs. Muscular scars and glandular cell outlets present in laterodorsal and ventromedial positions. Pachycycli of tergal and sternal plates well-developed, with regular sized peg-and-socket joints. Pectinate fringe as on the preceding segment. Segment 3 without middorsal elevation or associated intracuticular atria on tergal plate. A single paradorsal seta, one pair of laterodorsal setae, and two pairs of laterodorsal sensory spots are present on tergal plate. Both pairs of laterodorsal sensory spots are located mesially to the laterodorsal setae. Lateroventral setae absent. Sternal plates with one pair of ventromedial setae and sensory spots, with the sensory spots located lateral to the setae ( Fig. 12F ). Otherwise similar to preceding segment. Fig. 11. Line art illustration of Leiocanthus nagini sp. nov. A, male, ventral view. B, male, dorsal view. C, female, ventral view, segments 1–2. D, female, ventral view, segments 10–11. Abbreviations: apo, apodemes; cr, cuticular ridge; ct, cuticular thickening; cw, cuticular wrinkles; gco, glandular cell outlets; lds, laterodorsal setae; ldss, laterodorsal sensory spot; lvs, lateroventral setae; pds, paradorsal setae; pls, paralateral setae; sdss, subdorsal sensory spot; t, tube; vls, ventrolateral setae; vms, ventromedial setae; vmss, ventromedial sensory spot. Segment 4 without middorsal elevation or associated intracuticular atria on tergal plate. Paired setae present in paradorsal, laterodorsal and lateroventral positions. Three pairs of sensory spots present, one in subdorsal and two in laterodorsal positions, all of them located mesially to the laterodorsal setae. Sternal plates as on segment 3. Otherwise similar to preceding segments. Segment 5 with tergal plate ( Fig. 13C ) almost similar to that of segment 3 ( Fig. 11B ), but only with a single pair of laterodorsal sensory spots. Sternal plates similar to those on segment 3, except for the presence of paired ventrolateral setae. Otherwise similar to preceding segments. Segment 6 with tergal plate ( Figs. 11B , 12D , 13C ) almost similar to that of segment 4, but with a single paradorsal seta. Sternal plates same as those of segment 3, but with the ventral setae in females displaced to a ventrolateral position ( Figs. 11A , 13D ). Otherwise similar to preceding segments. Segment 7 with tergal and sternal plates ( Figs. 11A, B , 12D , 13D ) almost as those of segment 5, except for the ventral setae that are displaced to a ventrolateral position ( Figs. 11A , 13D ). Otherwise similar to preceding segments. Fig. 12. Scanning electron micrographs of female Leiocanthus nagini sp. nov. A, ventrolateral overview. B, ventral overview. C, Middorsal regions of segments 8–9. Note the absence of middorsal structure specialisations. D, Middorsal regions of segments 6–7. Note the absence of middorsal structure specialisations. E, Lateral view of segment 1, showing cuticular wrinkles. F, Ventral view of segments 3–4. G, Lateral view of segment 10, showing the longitudinal cuticular thickening. Abbreviations: ct, cuticular thickening; cw, cuticular wrinkles; lds, laterodorsal seta; lvs, lateroventral seta; pds, paradorsal seta; vls, ventrolateral setae. Table 7. Summary of location of spines, setae and sensory spots in Leiocanthus nagini sp. nov. Abbreviations: LD: laterodorsal; LV: lateroventral; PD: paradorsal; PL: paralateral; SD: subdorsal; VL: ventrolateral; VM: ventromedial; lts, lateral terminal spine; pe, penile spines; se, seta (* indicates unpaired seta); ss, sensory spot; tu, tube; ♀, female condition of sexually dimorphic character; ♂, male condition of sexually dimorphic character.
Position Segment PD SD LD PL LV VL VM
1 ss ss,ss se ss,ss
2 se* ss ss,se se se(♀) ss,t(♂)
3 se* ss,ss,se ss,se
4 se ss ss,ss,se se ss,se
5 se* ss,se se ss,se
6 se* ss ss,ss,se se se(♀) ss,se(♂)
7 se* ss,se se ss
8 se* ss ss,ss,ss,se se ss,se
9 se* ss,ss,se ss,se
10 ss se se
11 pe,pe(♂) lts
Fig. 13. Light micrographs showing details of trunk morphology in holotypic male of Leiocanthus nagini sp. nov., ZRC.MIS.0004. A, dorsal placids and dorsal anterior margin of segment 1. B, ventral placids and ventral anterior margin of segment 1. C, middorsal region of segments 5–6. Note the absence of middorsal structure specialisations. D, ventral view of segments 6–7. E, ventral view of segments 10–11, showing the special shape of the posterior fringe. F, middorsal region of segments 8–9. Note again the absence of middorsal structure specialisations. Abbreviations: ct, cuticular thickening; cw, cuticular wrinkles; f, irregular fringe; lvs, lateroventral seta; msp, midsternal plate; pl, placids; pls, paralateral setae; vls, ventrolateral seta. Segment 8 with tergal plate ( Figs. 11B , 12C , 13F ) similar to that of segment 6, but with one additional pair of laterodorsal sensory spots, making it three laterodorsal pairs in total ( Fig. 11B ). Sternal plates as those on segment 3. Otherwise similar to preceding segments. Segment 9 with tergal ( Figs. 11B , 12C , 13F ) and sternal plates similar to those of segment 3. Protonephridial opening in paralateral position, with the pore surrounded by a few short cuticular hairs; opening not sieve-like. Paired apodemes (or anteromesial thickenings of ventral pachycycli) present near the anterior margin of segment ( Fig. 11A ). Otherwise similar to preceding segment. Segment 10 without dorsal structures ( Figs. 11B , 12G ). Tergal plate with one pair of lateroventral setae and a pair of laterodorsal sensory spots. Sternal plates with ventrolateral setae. Ventromedial sensory spots not found. Paired apodemes present near the anterior margin of the segment ( Figs. 11A , 13E ). Lateral margins of tergal and sternal plates with conspicuous, longitudinal cuticular thickening visible with LM and SEM ( Figs. 12G , 13E ). Otherwise similar to preceding segment. Segment 11 with a pair of lateral terminal spines ( Fig. 11A, B, D ). Males with two pairs of penile spines and genital pores surrounded by a tuft of long hairs. Posterior segment margin with characteristic, irregularly fringed shape ( Fig. 13E ).