Urnaloricus gadi

Urnaloricus gadi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Loricifera
Order: Nanaloricida
Family: Urnaloricidae
Genus: Urnaloricus
Species:
U. gadi
Binomial name
Urnaloricus gadi
Heiner & Kristensen, 2009

Urnaloricus gadi is a species of microscopic Loricifera.[1][2] It was discovered in the Faroe Bank (North Atlantic) southwest of the Faroe Islands.[1] It is known for its life cycle, involving a large cyst-like mega-larva, and exclusively undergoing viviparous pedogenetic reproduction in which the mother's offspring consume her from within.[1] This species is considered to lack the typical adult form seen in other Loricifera.[1]

Other species in the genus Urnaloricus are:

  • Urnaloricus ibenae Neves 2018[3]

Distribution

This species occurs within the North Atlantic Faroe Banks.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Heiner, Iben; Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg (2008-09-16). "Urnaloricus gadi nov. gen. et nov. sp. (Loricifera, Urnaloricidae nov. fam.), an aberrant Loricifera with a viviparous pedogenetic life cycle". Journal of Morphology (in French). 270 (2): 129–153. doi:10.1002/jmor.10671. ISSN 0362-2525. Archived from the original on 2023-01-05.
  2. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Urnaloricus gadi Heiner & Kristensen, 2009". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  3. ^ Pardos, Fernando; Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg (2013-12-01). "First record of Loricifera from the Iberian Peninsula, with the description of Rugiloricus manuelae sp. nov., (Loricifera, Pliciloricidae)". Helgoland Marine Research. 67 (4): 623–638. doi:10.1007/s10152-013-0349-0. ISSN 1438-3888.