Planodasys marginalisgen. et sp. nov. and Planodasyidae fam. nov. (Gastotricha Magrodasyoidea)

Abstract

A new marine interstitial macrodasyoid gastrotrich Planadasys marginalis is described from the intertidal sands on Waltair coast, India (Bay of Bengal). In the disposition of the adhesory tubules, shape of the tail lobes and the structure of the reproductive system, the new species fails to fit into any known genera of the order Macrodasyoidea, for which reason it is assigned to a new genus, Planodasys. The distribution of the species in relation to the nature of the biotope, has also been reported. A new macrodasyoid gastrotrich family, Planodasyidae, is established to comprise the new genus Planodasys and the genus Crasiella Clausen, 1968.