Martensocelis justinei sp. nov.

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 07B7727C-B105-4763-969E-BEDE55C73513

(Fig. 4)

Diagnosis. Large species of Martensocelis, almost 1 cm long, with ovaries about midway between brain and pharynx. With almost 50 testes more or less arranged into a double row, starting in front of ovaries, and ending at some distance in front of the last pre-pharyngeal vitellarian follicles. The copulatory organ is at the far end of the animal; the two elongated seminal vesicles open separately in the C-shaped prostate vesicle, along with a large bundle of prostate glands. The stylet, curved over more than 180°, is 215–230 µm long, 12 µm wide at its proximal opening, narrowing to 6 µm over most of its length. At its distal tip, the stylet is accompanied by four strong straight needles, 50–55 µm long, provided with strong hooks. With a wide prepenial bursa with a muscular vagina. The genito-intestinal duct is globular and far in front of the female pore.

Occurrence. New Caledonia, Nouméa, Plage de L’Anse Vata, at the most western end of the beach (– 22.30355339, 166.4373099), intertidal (August 4, 2003).

Material studied. Two animals studied alive and mounted, one of them designated the holotype (QM G238527); the other paratype (CMZ 871).

Etymology. Species name in honour of Prof. Jean-Lou Justine (Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris), who invited and kindly provided working space to E.R.S. at the Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement at Nouméa, New Caledonia.