Testudinella dentata Myers 1934

Testudinella dentata Myers, 1934

(Fig. 14)

T. clypeata dentata after Wiszniewski (1954), T. clypeata after Koste (1978) and Segers (2007)

The lorica outline is oval and truncate anteriorly. The dorsal anterior margin is convex, projecting in the form of two lobes separated by a shallow and broad median sinus; the ventral anterior margin is weakly undulate and shows a rounded median sinus bounded by two acute projections. The lateral antennae are situated slightly above the middle. Foot opening a weakly arched transversal slit, located near the posterior 1/5th of the lorica. In cross-sectional view symmetrical both dorsally and ventrally, appearing much compressed, with rounded lateral margins and slightly inflated part in the middle.

Measurements. Lorica length 150 µm, lorica width 90 µm.

The species was originally described from brackish water near the outlet of the Barcelona at Thomas Cove, and brackish water in Powell’s Creek, Atlantic County, New Jersey, USA. Chengalath & Koste (1988) found it in temporary water bodies of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Koste (1978) and Jersabek et al. (2003) doubt on the taxonomic status of T. dentata and suggest that it may be a synonym of T. clypeata. However, on close examination Chengalath & Koste (1988) conclude that both species are quite distinct, based on the general shape, the shape of the anterior margins, the position of the lateral antennae, foot opening and size, and consider T. dentata to be a valid species.