Xenokrohnia is a genus of chaetognaths in the family Heterokrohniidae. It consists of one species, Xenokrohnia sorbei Casanova, 1993,[1] which lives in a marine environment.[1] The initial discovery was made from six specimens found in a deep-sea search in the Bay of Biscay for Spadella equidentata Casanova, 1987.[2] A uniquely large (ventral) secretory gland, separate from other chaetognaths, defined the new genus and species. The gland, which is likely used to rid the body of digestive fluids, is probably due to the unique feeding habits of the species; these may include scavenging habits. The presence of an unusual and seemingly superfluous digestive utility is similar to Archeterokrohnia palpifera Casanova, 1986,[3] which have a larger pair of pedipalps then what is common for chaetognaths.

Xenokrohnia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chaetognatha
Class: Sagittoidea
Order: Phragmophora
Family: Heterokrohniidae
Genus: Xenokrohnia
Casanova, 1993
Species:
X. sorbei
Binomial name
Xenokrohnia sorbei
Casanova, 1993[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Casanova, J. (1993). A new genus and species of deep-sea chaetognath from the Bay of Biscay with a strange ventral secretory gland. Journal of Natural History, 27(2), 445–455.
  2. ^ Casanova, J. (1987). Deux chaetognathes benthiques nouveaux du genre Spadella des parages de Gibraltar. Remarques phylogénétiques. Bulletin du Muséum national d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, (4)9A(2), 375–390.
  3. ^ Casanova, J. (1986). Archeterokrohnia rubra n. gen., n. sp., nouveau Chaetognathe abyssal de l’Atlantique nord-Africain: description et position systématique, hypothèse phylogénétique. Bulletin du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, (4)8(A), 185–194.