Redescription of Gordius paranensis Camerano, 1892 (Nematomorpha), a species new for New Zealand

Abstract

We describe nematomorph specimens from New Zealand and compare them to museum specimens of Gordius paranensis Camerano, 1892 from Chile. Although specimens from New Zealand and Chile vary from each other, especially in body dimensions and coloration, literature data on other South American specimens of G. paranensis correspond to the New Zealand specimens which are therefore considered to belong to this species. A conspicuous character of G. paranensis is a precloacal, parabolic row of bristles that has been observed elsewhere only in G. difficilis (Montgomery, 1898).

Keywords:

• Nematomorpha
• Gordius
• New Zealand
• Taxonomy
• Systematics