Quadratopalpus ilex

“Holly’s square-palp”
Kingdom
Microsynthera
Phylum
Plasticae
Class
Occlupanida
Order
Orthogonidectes
Family
Archignathidae
Genus
Quadratopalpus
Species
ilex
External morphology

Lateral palps. Size 22 mm x 25 mm

Discovered and named by occlupanologist A. Witney, this well-decorated occlupanid was found on a bag of Thomas’ English Muffins. Its morphology and host organism suggests a strong link to P. hayesi, differing only in aspect ratio and interpalpar spacing. According to Witney, “The leaner, squarer morphology of this species may reflect a symbiosis with its host organism–which in this case is the whole wheat variety of Thomas’ English Muffin, which is quite lean and square. Further research in this area is recommended.”