<i>Tantulacus hoegi</i>gen. et sp. nov. (Tantulocarida: Deoterthridae) from the meiobenthos of the Faroe Bank, North Atlantic

Abstract

Abstract Three free-living tantuli of a new genus and species, Tantulacus hoegi, were discovered among the meiofauna from deep carbonate shell-sand on the Faroe Bank. The host-is unknown. Tantulacus is referred to the Deoterthridae on account of its larval characters. It occupies an intermediate positon between Deoterthron - Aphotocentor and the other deoterthrid genera. It can be readily distinguished from other tantulocaridans by -the- pr.esence of a distinct rigid spine on the endopod of the second to fifth thoracopods. Some aspects of the deoterthrid stylet are discussed. T. hoegi is the fourth tantulocaridan described from the temporary meiobenthos.