In this paper, we describe Wataloricus japonicus gen. et sp. nov. (phylum Loricifera), based on specimens collected during surveys of Japanese waters in the Northwest Pacific conducted onboard the TR/Vs TOYOSHIO MARU and SEISUI MARU. This new loriciferan is placed in the family Pliciloricidae based on the morphology of the adult lorica and Higgins larval internal armature, setae, and toes. It is readily distinguished from other pliciloricid genera by the following combination of characters: adult with a long rigid mouth tube bearing an umbrella-like membrane that extrudes from the mouth opening; a double organ consisting of two untransformed separate spinoscalids; 15 single trichoscalids; and approximately 46 longitudinal folds in the lorica and anal field; and Higgins larva with clavoscalids characterized by ventral swelling and spine-like tip; short unsegmented spinoscalids of the second scalid row; indistinct collar, heavily wrinkled thorax; two pairs of anterior setae; two pairs of posterior setae; and slender toes with sub-terminal swelling. The new genus described herein appears to be synonymous with a previously reported undescribed genus sensu Heiner and Neuhaus (2007) from the Galapagos Spreading Centre, thereby indicating that the geographical distribution of the new genus may at least span the entire Pacific region.

在本文中，我们描述了日本Wataloricus japonicusgen。等。十一月 （Loricifera），基于在TR / Vs TOYOSHIO MARU和SEISUI MARU上对西北太平洋日本水域进行的调查中收集的标本。根据成年萝里卡和希金斯幼虫内部电枢，刚毛和脚趾的形态，将这种新的茄科植物放入Pliciloricidae科。通过以下特征的组合，很容易将其与其他伞形目属区分开：成年人有一个长而硬的口管，口管带有从口中伸出的伞状膜；由两个未转化的棘突棘组成的双器官；15个单毛鳞茎; 口和肛门区域约有46条纵向褶皱；希金斯的幼虫有锁骨鳞茎，特征是腹侧肿胀和脊柱状尖端；第二个刚体行短的无节段棘突；衣领模糊，胸部严重皱纹；两对前巩膜；两对后刚毛；脚尖细长，亚末部肿胀。本文所述的新属似乎与先前报道的未描述属同义sensu Heiner and Neuhaus（2007）来自加拉帕戈斯传播中心，因此表明该新属的地理分布可能至少涵盖了整个太平洋地区。