World Kinorhyncha Database
Citation
Neuhaus, B. (2024). World Kinorhyncha Database (version 2024-11-01). In O. Bánki, Y. Roskov, M. Döring, G. Ower, D. R. Hernández Robles, C. A. Plata Corredor, T. Stjernegaard Jeppesen, A. Örn, T. Pape, D. Hobern, S. Garnett, H. Little, R. E. DeWalt, K. Ma, J. Miller, T. Orrell, R. Aalbu, J. Abbott, C. Aedo, et al., Catalogue of Life (Version 2024-11-18). Catalogue of Life, Amsterdam, Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.48580/dgjc7-3dsDescription
Kinorhyncha (= Echinodera) is a taxon of marine animals ranging in size from 0.13-1.04 mm body length. The animals live in muddy to sandy sediments or appear on algae and invertebrates from the intertidal zone to the deep sea. Kinorhyncha feeds on bacteria, algae, diatoms, and detritus. Some 200+ species have been described based on descriptions from adult stages plus 50 species based on the description from juvenile stages. Species known only from juvenile stages are generally regarded as nomina dubia, but names are available and valid according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The species are grouped in two subtaxa, namely Cyclorhagida and Homalorhagida. Further subdivision is in 22 genera using as distinguishing characters a) habitus, b) arrangement, shape and surface structure of cuticular plates, c) size, shape and arrangement of inner and outer oral styles as well as of scalids, and d) size, shape and distribution of spines, sensory spots, gland cell outlets and papillae.
Taxonomic Coverages
Geographic Coverages
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Birger Neuhauseditor
email: birger.neuhaus@mfn.berlin
administrative point of contact
Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee
BE
administrative point of contact
Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Museum für Naturkunde
DE
Birger Neuhaus
administrative point of contact
email: birger.neuhaus@mfn.berlin