DESCRIPTION OF XENOTRICHULA TROPICALIS SP. NOV. (GASTROTRICHA: CHAETONOTIDA) AND NEW RECORDS OF XENOTRICHULIDAE SPECIES FROM BRAZIL AND USA

Sampling of twelve locations along the north east coast of the USA and Brazilian coasts yielded five new records of Xenotrichulidae species (Xenotrichula guadalupensis, X. carolinensis, X. intermedia, Heteroxenotrichula pygmaea and Draculiciteria tesselata) and the description of a new species of Xenotrichula, X. tropicalis sp. nov. from Brazil. The new species is unique among its congeners in possessing double edge rounded scales on the ventral edge of the pharynx and two rows of flat plates on the ventral trunk.