Dondersiidae sp. D

(Figure 8, Table 2)

Examined material. DZMB-HH-14021-17 (DZMB-Senckenberg Biozentrum Grindel und Zoologische Museum). Serial sections (eight slides) and sclerite preparations (two stubs, three slides). Brazil Basin. DIVA 3 Me 79/1, station 609 (area 4); 03º 57.54’S, 28º 03.07’W 5170.4 m depth.

Description. White, scaly animal (in 70 % ethanol) with the anterior end truncated and the posterior end pointed (2.1 mm long, 0.27, 0.25, 0.2 mm of width in the anterior and middle region respectively (Figure 8 D). Sclerites as scales inserted in a single layer in the thin cuticle (<15 μm): 1) Leaf-shaped scales (Figure 8 D-1) that are the main type. These are broad, but narrow towards the apex, with a flat proximal end (64.25 to 79.95 μm in length, 27.95 to 28.16 μm in width). 2) Leaf-shaped scales with a flat proximal end (Figure 8 D-3). These are the second most abundant variety; they are small (40 to 46.3 μm long, 22.5 to 23.6 μm wide) and more damaged (with longitudinal grooves). 3) Oval scales (Figure 8 D-2), which are very small (25 μm long, 10 to 15 μm wide) and few in number, are considered a different variety because of their shape and size but could be leaf-shaped scales that have not yet developed. 4) Solid curved acicular sclerite (Figure 8 D-4), which are concentrated in the dorsal region of the body (97 to 115.6 μm long, 3.6 to 4 μm wide in the middle region and 1.7 to 2 μm wide at the ends). This combination of sclerite types and the shape of the leaf-shaped scales are typical of Helluoherpia.