Sabatieria exculta sp. n. (Figs 11–12, Table 3) Material examined. Holotype male (NIWA 865995), collected 5 June 2007, western Challenger Plateau (532 m water depth), 40.8814 °S, 170.8603 °E. Characteristics of surface sediment layer (0–5 mm): mostly silt/clay (67.6 %), with fine sand (15.1 %), and very fine sand (11.4 %); calcium carbonate content: 56.0%; total organic matter content: 2.1 %; chloroplastic pigment concentration: 1344 ng /gDW sediment. Two male and two female paratypes (NIWA 865996), same data as holotype. Etymology. The species name is derived from the latin excultus (= adorned, refined) and refers to the unusual ornamentation of the cuticle consisting of both punctations and annulations. Description. Male Body slender, cylindrical, tapering slightly towards anterior extremity. Cuticle with transverse rows of dots, without lateral differentiation. Faint annulations (i.e., discontinuity running down entire thickness of cuticle) also present throughout body. Annulations result from fusion of every second or third transverse row of dots. Two dorso- and two ventro-lateral rows of short, sparse somatic setae, some associated with rounded hypodermal glands (Fig. 12 A). Head slightly set-off by depression at level of fovea amphidialis. Six minute inner and outer labial papillae and four short cephalic setae. Anterior portion of buccal cavity small, cupshaped, posterior portion narrow. Fovea amphidialis spiral, 2.5 turns, located immediately posterior to cephalic setae. Marginal tubes not observed. Pharynx gradually widening towards posterior, not forming a true bulb. Nerve ring at about middle of pharynx length. Secretory-excretory system present, cellular body of ventral gland large, 19–20 µm by 25–28 µm, at level of intestine, pore situated 1.0 cbd posteriorly to nerve ring. Intestine wall with numerous small, colourless granules, with differentiation of rounded cells containing more densely packed granules in anterior portion. Reproductive system diorchic with outstretched testes. Anterior testis on ...