Zamponi, M.O., E. Suárez-Morales & R. Gasca, 1999. Two new species of Irenium (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Leptomedusae) in a bay along the Mexican coast. Rev. Biol. Trop. 47 Suppl. 1: 209-216.

34342

Publication

Zooplankton samples collected at Bahia de la Ascension, an embayment on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, yielded several specimens of leptomedusae which were assigned to the little-known genus Irenium Haeckel, 1879. This genus comprised only two species, I. quadrigatum Haeckel, 1879 and I. teuscheri (Haeckel,1879), and has not been recorded after its original description almost 120 years ago. The taxonomical analysis of this material allowed the identification of two previously unknown species (I. labiatum and I. alabiatum) of this genus both of which are described herein. Both species have lateral spiral cirri between tentacles and marginal warts; one of them (I. labiatum) has oral lips and the other has no lips (I. alabiatum). These features seem to be enough evidence to separate both species between them and as previously undescribed. The new species have both a tropical distribution similar to that shown by the other Irenium species, suggesting a tropical origin for this genus, with a distribution pattern limited to neritic zones. This is the first record of the genus in the Northwestern Atlantic, and its occurrence in the Caribbean Sea represents a relevant latitudinal range extension in the Western Hemisphere. Descriptors: Irenium alabiatum, Irenium labiatum, Irenium quadrigatum, Irenium teuscheri

Systematics, Taxonomy
Zoogeography, Biogeography (generalities), Geographic distribution

[Back to search]