Echinoderes higginsi sp.n. is described from shallow subtidal sand north of the mouth of the Westerscheldt estuary, The Netherlands. The species is compared with other species having the same spine formulac. It appears to be most closely related to E. kristenseni Higgins. 1983 and, to a lesscr extent. to E. riedli Higgins, 1966. Condyldres multispinosus (McIntyre. 1962) is reported from the same locality, the first report of this centroderid kinorhynch since the original description. Some additional information on E. levunderi Karling, 1954 is presented. The presence of lateroventral adhesive tubes on the fourth segment, lateral spines on segment 7 and small additional setae on segment 12 in the male is noted. Echinoderes canariensis Greeff, 1869 and E. agigens Ba?cescu, 1968 are considered species inquirendae. The distribution of adult North Sea Kinorhyncha is reviewed. Finally, an up-dated key. covering 43 valid species of Echhinderes, is presented. |
