On Austrognatharia strunki nov. spec. from the Florida Keys (Gnathostomulida)

The present paper belongs to a series dealing with Gnathostomulids from the West Atlantic coasts (RIEDL 1970a, b; 1971a, b; STERRER 1970, 1971, 1972). Others will include additional species descriptions, distribution patterns and improved sampling techniques. Organization will generally follow the format of previous Gnathostomulida papers. The following description based on studies of living individuals is the fourth species in the genus Austrognatharia STERRER, 1971 and the second to be described from North America. Primary emphasis is placed on characters of systematic importance; supplementary data including a distribution pattern are mentioned briefly under “Notes and Obersvations.” I am deeply indebted to Dr. WOLFGANG STERRER (Bermuda Biological Station for valuable material and generous assistance. I would also like to thank Dr. REINHARD RIEGER (Chapel Hill) for his helpful suggestions, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for facilities, and Dr. STEVEN WAINWRIGHT (Duke University) for his financial subsidy. Further support: NSF grant No. XA 120 (R. J. RIEDL, principal investigator) and North Carolina Board of Science and Technology grants No. RA 012 and RA 023, University Research Council VF 255.