Kronborgia pugettensis sp.nov. (Neorhabdocoela: Fecampiidae), an endoparasitic turbellarian infesting the shrimp Heptacarpus kincaidi (Rathbun), with notes on its life-history.

Abstract

The morphology of Kronborgia pugettensis sp. nov., an endoparasite from the haemocoele of the caridean shrimp Heptacarpus kincaidi is described from specimens collected in the San Juan Island region of the western coast of North America. Members of this species are unisexual as are other members of the genus, but only females were found. An ootype and a type of accessory reproductive gland not known from other Kronborgia spp. are described, but they are probably present in other members of the genus. The life-history is similar to that of other Kronborgia spp. After the female reaches maturity, it emerges from the host and secretes a tubiform cocoon around itself and deposits its egg capsules within it. Embryogenesis lasts about 4 months. A free-swimming larva locates the new host, attaches to its exterior, and secretes a cyst around itself. It then penetrates through the exoskeleton to reach the haemocoele. K. pugettensis is easily distinguished from other members of the genus by the shape of the cocoon, type of host, and geographic distribution. This is the second species of fecampiid described from North America, but several undescribed species are known to exist from their cocoons.