Two new species of Oregodasys (Gastrotricha: Macrodasyida: Thaumastodermatidae) from Carrie Bow Cay, Belize with ultrastructural observations of the epidermal glandular system

Researchers have identified two new species of Gastrotricha, Oregodasys norenburgi and Oregodasys katharinae, from the sublittoral sediments around Carrie Bow Cay in Belize's barrier reef system. These discoveries mark the first report of Gastrotricha in Belizean waters. O. norenburgi is distinguished by its paired red ocelli and unique distribution of adhesive tubes, while O. katharinae stands out due to its ventrolateral cirri arrangement, quantity of adhesive tubes, and a bipartite caudal organ structure. The study also provides detailed ultrastructural observations of the epidermal glandular system in O. katharinae, revealing a highly glandular epithelium with three types of papillae and insunk glandulocytes containing diverse secretory vesicles. This research enhances our understanding of Gastrotricha diversity in the region and contributes to the broader knowledge of these microscopic organisms' complex anatomical features.

HOCHBERG, R. (2010). Two new species of Oregodasys (Gastrotricha: Macrodasyida: Thaumastodermatidae) from Carrie Bow Cay, Belize with ultrastructural observations of the epidermal glandular system. Zootaxa, 2660(1). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.2660.1.1