<i>Kronborgia amphipodicola</i>gen. et sp. nov., a dioecious turbellarian parasitizing ampeliscid amphipods

Abstract

Abstract new turbellarian, Kronborgia amphipodicola gen. et sp. nov. found parasitizing arnpeliscid amphipods in Danish waters (Øresund) is described and figured. This new species was found to be dioecious with pronounced sexual dimorphism. Thus the males are dwarfs, a feature hitherto unknown in turbellarians. Both sexes lack eyes, mouth, pharynx, and intestine. The female has no sexual openings whereas the male has a posteriorly situated gonopore. Two egg cells and 15-18 yolk cells become enclosed in capsules which are deposited in a long tubiform cocoon secreted by the female around its body. The new genus is referred to the neorhabdocoele family Fecampidae. Short diagnoses of this family and its 3 genera are given.