On the biodiversity of the family Simrothiellidae (Mollusca, Solenogastres) in the upper-slope of the NW Iberian Peninsula with the description of three new species

The present study reports on new data on the biodiversity of the family Simrothiellidae (Solenogastres, Cavibelonia) in the upper slope off the Artabro Gulf (NW Galicia/ NW Iberian Peninsula), based on the study of 65 specimens collected at nine stations of the expeditions DIVA-Artabria I (2002 and 2003), in water depths between 598 and 1191 m. The investigation has resulted in the identification of new specimens of Kruppomenia borealis and Simrothiella cf. margaritacea, and in the discovery of three species new to science, Kruppomenia bulla sp. nov., Kruppomenia vitucoi sp. nov. and Adoryherpia megaradulata sp. nov. The species are described, illustrated and taxonomically compared with other taxa of the family. A comparative table of the main specific characters of the species belonging to the genus Kruppomenia is also provided. The presence of a thick cuticle in Adoryherpia megaradulata sp. nov. modifies the diagnosis of Adoryherpia. The biogeographical implications are considered.