Three Solenogastres from the Irish Sea, new to the British marine area

Descriptions are included of three solenogaster species obtained during benthic faunal surveys of the Irish Sea. All of the species belong to genera unknown from the British Isles, although prior records exist from the Mediterranean. Tegulaherpia celtica sp. n. possesses scales rather than spicules and appears to be meiofaunal in silty-sand or shell gravel habitats at depths around 100 m. Scanning electron micrographs show that Macellomenia cf. palifera is characterized by unusual spicule bases. Pruvotina sp. may be conspecific with P. impexa Pruvot but presently remains unidentified. In addition some comments are included on other meiofaunal Solenogastres.