Description of a new species of Paraturbanella, new record of Paraturbanella tricaudata and new insights on reproductive traits in Turbanellidae (Gastrotricha:Macrodasyida)

The intertidal zone of a sandy beach in Bahia State, Brazil, yielded a new species that we describe herein based on three distinct microscopy techniques (light, scanning electronic, and confocal), as well as on nuclear and mitochondrial molecular data (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, and COI mtDNA). Specimens of Paraturbanella anastaciae species nova (sp. nov.) bear piston pits, a single caudal cone, and lateral and posterior adhesive tubes arranged in clusters; moreover, the layout of its male reproductive system appears unique. A comparative table with data on the reproductive traits of Paraturbanella species known to date was produced to aid future research. Additionally, we report Paraturbanella tricaudata Campos, Todaro and Garraffoni, 2020 from the state of São Paulo, outside its type locality in Rio de Janeiro State. A multigene approach was used to develop a molecular phylogeny of the family Turbanellidae, which found the genera Turbanella and Paraturbanella to be monophyletic and P. anastaciae sp. nov. clearly distinct from other congeners. Although this is the second species of Paraturbanella described from Brazil, evidence indicate that the knowledge of Neotropical turbanellids biodiversity still needs to be completed.