Discrimination and phylogeny of solenogaster species through the morphology of hard parts (Mollusca, Aplacophora, Neomeniomorpha)

Ten species in five genera and three families from continental shelf and de ep-sea collections of neomenioid Aplacophora (Mollusca) are described, emph asizing external anatomy and hard parts-body shape, radula, epidermal spicu les, and copulatory spicules-as well as the reproductive system. One genus and seven species are new: Plawenin n.g., Plawenia sphaera, P. argentinensi s, Dorymenia tortilis, Eleutheromenia bassensis, E. mimus, Kruppomenia levi s, and K, delta. Also included are redescriptions of three published specie s, emphasizing hard parts for comparisons with the new species and genus: D orymenia sarsii (Koren & Danielssen), Simrothiella margaritacea (Koren & Da nielssen), and Plawenia schizovadulata (Salvini-Plawen). A cladistic analys is of species described here demonstrates the usefulness of hard parts for phylogeny. Specimens came from collections made in the southwest Pacific an d the southwest and northeast Atlantic.