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Enzyme electrophoresis, genetic identity and description of a new genus and species of heteronemertean (Nemertea, Anopla) from northwestern Spain and North Wales

Hydrobiologia volume 266, pages 219–238 (1993)Cite this article

Abstract

The anoplan order Heteronemertea, particularly the genera Cerebratulus, Lineus and Micrura, contains a very large number of nominate species, many of which are inadequately described. As a consequence, systematic difficulties are encountered with the identification of many taxa in this group, especially those originally established primarily on the basis of their external features. The present paper concerns heteronemerteans collected from two locations, the Foz Estuary (north-western Spain) and Llandudno (North Wales). The Spanish collection included specimens identified as Lineus longissimus (Gunnerus), whilst samples from Llandudno contained large numbers of Lineus viridis (Müller); samples of a third similar but apparently undescribed species were found at both locations. Starch gel electrophoresis showed that samples of the apparent third species were genetically almost identical from each of the two locations, but were clearly different from the two described Lineus species. Histological studies of the unknown specimens revealed anatomical characters, including the unique feature of a proboscis epithelium ciliated throughout its length, which exclude it from any known heteronemertean taxon; it is accordingly placed in a new genus and species, for which the name Riseriellus occultus is proposed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Liverpool, Port Erin Marine Laboratory, Port Erin, Isle of Man, U.K.

    Alex D. Rogers & John P. Thorpe

  2. Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidad de Alcala de Henares, 28871 Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain

    Juan Junoy

  3. School of Natural Sciences, Liverpool Polytechnic, Byrom Street, L3 3AF, Liverpool, U.K.

    Ray Gibson

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  1. Alex D. Rogers
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  2. Juan Junoy
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  3. Ray Gibson
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  4. John P. Thorpe
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Rogers, A.D., Junoy, J., Gibson, R. et al. Enzyme electrophoresis, genetic identity and description of a new genus and species of heteronemertean (Nemertea, Anopla) from northwestern Spain and North Wales. Hydrobiologia 266, 219–238 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00013370

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Key words

  • Heteronemertea
  • genetics