The new phylum Cycliophora
Specimens of the fascinating new organism Symbion pandora living on the mouthparts of the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) have been collected at Frederikshavn (Denmark), Kristineberg (Sweden) and Kaldbak Fjord (Faroe Islands) and live material studied in the laboratory, resulting in the description of a new phylum, Cycliophora, with affinities to Entoprocta and Ectoprocta*. The life cycle is one of the most complicated in the Animal Kingdom, and some of the phases still need further study*. The structure of the various stages has been studied with light and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. A monographic description has been published* (R.M. Kristensen, with P. Funch, Zoological Institute). An 18s rRNA sequence analysis of S. pandora has been made (R.M. Kristensen, with B. Winnepenninckx, University of Antwerpen).
A cladistic analysis of the phylogenetic position of Cycliophora and other groups has been initiated (M.V. Sørensen, cand. scient. project).