Meeting Abstract
Aplacophorans are shell-less, worm-shaped molluscs that inhabit benthic marine habitats around the world. Fewer than 500 species of aplacophorans have been described to date but the true number of species is estimated to be tenfold higher. This is in part because simply identifying most aplacophorans to the genus and species level requires characterization of internal anatomical structures, such as the radula, ventral foregut glands, and reproductive organs using histology. Oceania is one of the most understudied areas in the world with respect to aplacophoran biodiversity. In particular, there are only three described species of aplacophorans from New Zealand, but examination of collections from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarwera has revealed many more species that are new to science or have not been previously reported from New Zealand waters. In order to improve our understanding of the biodiversity of New Zealand Aplacophora, and the biodiversity of New Zealand as a whole, we have been studying collections NIWA and Te Papa Tongarewa using histology, light microscopy, DNA barcoding and scanning electron microscopy to identify and describe species from these collections. Here we present preliminary data from the characterization completed thus far. After grouping the collection into morphospecies, there are at least 10 caudofoveates and 12 solenogasters, most of which are new to science. We will present the description of two new species, Proneomenia taniwha and Proneomeniidae sp. indet., both of which belong to Proneomeniidae, a family not previously reported from New Zealand. We conclude with plans for future work in assessing the aplacophoran biodiversity of New Zealand.
