TITLE:
A Review on Taxonomy of Phylum Kinorhyncha
AUTHORS:
C. Jeeva, P. M. Mohan, P. Ragavan, V. Muruganantham
KEYWORDS:
Checklist, Kinorhyncha, Meiofauna, Diversity, Distribution
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Marine Science,
Vol.10 No.4,
October
30,
2020
ABSTRACT: Kinorhyncha is exclusively marine,
holobenthic, free-living, meiofaunal species found in all marine habitats in
the world. However, information on geographical distribution and taxonomical
distributional status of Kinorhyncha are needed further understanding. This
research article presents a compiled, up-to-date checklist of the Phylum
Kinorhyncha based on bibliographical survey and revision of taxon names.
Present checklist of this phylum comprises 271 species belonging to 30 genera
and 13 families. The families are distributed under three orders, Echinorhagata
Sorensen et al. 2015, Kentrorhagata Sorensen et al. 2015, Xenosomata Zelinka,
1907. Among the 271 valid species, in the last five years 82 new species
emerged, two new orders and three families were described. It also includes
nine new genera. This checklist could serve as a valuable tool to encourage
comparison of inter and intraregional research on Kinorhyncha as well as it
can be used as baseline data for future taxonomical revision.