Lagenopolycystis azorensis Schockaert, Monnens, Jouk and Artois 2025, sp. nov.

Lagenopolycystis azorensis Schockaert, Monnens, Jouk and Artois sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 7943A224-0AB3-4422-B0B2-C9127B983A8F (Fig. 4) Diagnosis. Species of Lagenopolycystis with a prostate stylet of 71–105 µm (x̄ = 89 µm, n = 15), curved at about 90° with a blunt terminal end; the proximal part of the stylet has two prominent, ear-shaped rims at both ends of the gutter. The accessory stylet attaches to the main stylet just below these thickened rims, at about 1/3 of the proximal end of the stylet. It measures 44–64 µm (x̄ = 57 µm, n = 15), is slender and sharp-ended, and is generally straight, though a slightly bent tip was observed in most specimens. The structure of the ‘seminal receptacle tube’ is unknown. Distribution. PORTUGAL, AZORES, SÃO MIGUEL • Maia, N37°50’03” W25°23’8”, sand from between rocks, 0.5–2 m deep (20 July 2019) (TYPE LOCALITY). ITALY, SARDINIA • Cala Sant’ Andrea, N41°00’48” E8°14’56”, 5 to 6 m deep (27 September 2014). FRANCE • Banyuls-sur-Mer, Île Grosse, ‘ La Faille’, N42°28’57” E3°08’16”, clean fine sand, 12 m deep (6 August 2007); Banyuls-sur-Mer, ‘ l’Herbier’, 20–30 m left of end of pipes, N42°28’56” E3°08’09”, fine to medium sand with some silt, 10 m deep (2 November 2007); Cerbère, Peyrefite Bay, south side of bay, N42°27’35” E3°09’34”, sand area between sea grass beds and rocks, clean fine sand, 7 m deep (13 July 2007); same locality, south side of bay, N42°27’35” E3°09’28”, sand mixed with some gravel, 3 m deep (12 July 2020); Cerbère, ‘Les Chambres’, N42°26’28” E3°10’16”, sand area between rocks, medium to coarse sand, 2–3 m deep (16 July 2013); same locality, N42°26’30” E3°10’21”, sand area between rocks, coarse sand mixed with gravel, 5–6 m deep (16 July 2015); Cerbère, Terrimbo, Les Aloès, N42°27’12” E3°09’42”, at foot of rock forming a little island on the left side of the jetty, medium sand mixed with some gravel and debris of sea grass leaves, 6 m deep (26 August 2016); same locality, small rocky islands just south of municipal camping, N42°27’13” E3°09’52”, fine sand with some silt, 15 m deep (18 May 2022). SPAIN • Portbou, l’Ocell, N42°25’59” E3°10’28”, clean gravel mixed with shell grit, 20 m deep (29 May 2023); same locality, N42°25’59” E3°10’28”, clean medium sand, 18 m deep (16 July 2023). Material examined. Live observations and photographs. Fifteen whole mounts, one of which designated holotype (FMNH http://id.luomus.fi/KV. 544), the rest deposited as reference material in the collections of Hasselt University (HU XXIII. 3.06 – HU XXIII. 3.19). Etymology. The species name refers to the type locality on the Azores. Additional remarks. The sclerotised parts of L. azorensis sp. nov. and L. peresi are similar but can be distinguished by several features. The prostate stylet of L. azorensis sp. nov. is bent more or less over 90°, whereas that of L. peresi curves along its entire length to almost 180°. The thickened proximal rims of this stylet are ear-shaped in both species; however, in L. peresi these rims are straight and asymmetrical, one being larger than the other, whereas they have a more rounded and symmetrical appearance in L. azorensis sp. nov. Moreover, the accessory stylet in L. azorensis sp. nov. is more slender than in L. peresi, giving the copulatory organ an overall more ‘elegant’ appearance.