Pterospora demodendrion sp.nov. and Pterospora clymenellae, acephaline eugregarines from coastal North Carolina

Summary Pterospora demodendrion sp.nov., an acephaline eugregarine (Eugregarinorida, Urosporidae) from the coelom of Axiothella mucosa (Polychaeta, Maldanidae) is described. The gamont averages 277 × 139 μm and possesses 20–36 posterior prolongations. Gametocysts average 412 × 287 μm; without polar funneled openings. Oocysts average 24.4 × 8.4 μm; with aliform wings on the epispore wall and containing a lemon-shaped (16.2 × 7.8 μm) inner capsule. This species is most similar to P. ramificata , though significantly distinct in characteristics of the gamont and gametocyst. Pterospora clymenellae is also reported herein, from the maldanid Clymenella torquata , and shown to lack the epispore wings present in other Pterospora species.