Systematics and ultrastructure of aschelminths
Four year's revisionary studies of kinorhynchs and loriciferans have been conducted (R.M. Kristensen, with R.P. Higgins, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.)
A one-year study was carried out from Queensland Museum under the programme: Australian Meiofauna with special attention on Tardigrada, Loricifera and Kinorhyncha (R. M. Kristensen). A study of the rotiferan fauna on the Ikka pillars (see The Ikka Fjord project) and in ikait "snow" has been initiated (R.M. Kristensen, M.V. Sørensen). Description of the rotifer fauna at Flakkerhuk, Disko Island, Greenland, and studies of jaws of selected rotifer species have been initiated (M.V. Sørensen, cand. scient. project).
Ultrastructure of the cuticle of Aschelminthes and electron microscopical locatization of chitin have been investigated by TEM* (R.M.Kristensen, with B. Neuhaus, Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin).
A new type of animal was found in a cold spring at Disko, West Greenland. The new group shows jaws resembling those found in gnathostomulids, but some ultrastructural characters are similar to those of rotifers. A monograph will be prepared (R.M. Kristensen, with P. Funch, University of Aarhus).