First record and a new species of Dendrodasys (Gastrotricha: Macrodasyida: Dactylopodolidae) from Tobago Island

A new species of Dendrodasys (Macrodasyida: Dactylopodolidae) was collected from sublittoral sands on the island of Tobago. The new species of Dendrodasys is the seventh described species in the genus and is easily distinguished by a triangular head that is adorned with a pair of small, dorsal, columnar sensory tubes and a pair dorsal horn-like organs in addition to knob-like pestle organs. The species is likely hermaphroditic and has both frontal and caudal organs, each with ventral pore.

Animals were collected from 31 m depth in medium to coarse sand at a dive site located in the northeast corner of the island. A dichotomous key for all Dendrodasys species is provided.