Eunice violaceomaculata Ehlers 1887

Eunice violaceomaculata Ehlers, 1887

Eunice violaceomaculata Ehlers, 1887:86–87, pl. 24: figs. 11, 12, pl. 25: figs. 1–7.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—4 syntypes, MCZ 163, Tortugas, Florida, shallow water.

COMMENTS ON MATERIAL EXAMINED.—The description is based on a complete syntype with 215 setigers. The material includes in addition a very large anterior fragment of 132 setigers, a rather small complete specimen with 114 setigers, and finally an incomplete specimen, consisting of 165 setigers. The three smaller specimens clearly belong to the same species and the concept of the species is here wholly based on these specimens.

DESCRIPTION.—One syntype complete with 215 setigers; total length 170 mm; maximal width 7 mm at setiger 10; length through setiger 10, 12 mm. Second specimen complete with 114 setigers; length 62 mm; maximal width 5 mm at setiger 10. Third specimen incomplete with 165 setigers; length 225 mm; maximal width 9 mm at setiger 10. Fourth specimen incomplete with 132 setigers; length 340 mm long; maximal width 22 mm at setiger 10.

Prostomium (Figure 114h) distinctly shorter and narrower than peristomium, as deep as of peristomium. Prostomial lobes widely diverging and frontally obliquely truncate, dorsally somewhat flattened; median sulcus deep. Dark eyes between bases of A-I and A-II. Antennae in a horseshoe, evenly spaced, similar in thickness. Ceratophores ring-shaped in all antennae, without articulations. Ceratostyles slender and tapering, with up to 10 cylindrical articulations in A-III. A-I to posterior peristomial ring; A-II to setiger 4; A-III to setiger 7 (complete only in a single specimen). Peristomium flaring anteriorly, more strongly so when distorted by everted jaws, with distinct muscular lower lip. Separation between rings distinct dorsally and ventrally; anterior ring 5/6 of total peristomial length. Peristomial cirri to front margin of peristomium or to middle of prostomium, slender and tapering, with 6 articulations.

Maxillary formula (summarized for 2 specimens) 1+1, 5+5, 6–7+0, 4–6+9, and 1+1. Mx III short, forming part of distal arc with left Mx IV. Mx VI missing.

Branchiae (Figure 114l) present, pectinate, distinctly longer than notopodial cirri, not reduced in mid-body region, erect. Branchiae from setiger 6–7 to setiger 215. Branchiae present to near posterior end, present on more than 65% of total number of setigers. Maximum 20 filaments at about setigers 15–20. Branchial stems thick, relatively pliable, doubled over in several segments. Filaments digitiform, distinctly shorter than notopodial cirri.

Neuropodial acicular lobes obliquely truncate with aciculae emerging from elevated knobs near superior end of lobes. All presetal lobes low transverse folds. Anterior and median postsetal lobes following outline of acicular lobes closely, becoming free, inferiorly elevated folds in posterior setigers. First 4 ventral cirri thick and tapering, nearly triangular in outline. Ventral cirri basally inflated from about setiger 5 and retaining inflated base through first half of body. Inflated bases thick transverse welts, relatively low in setigers 25–35, thereafter becoming more distinctly rounded cushions in next 20 or so setigers. Far posterior ventral cirri triangular in outline and tapering to blunt tips, forming shallow scoops around lower edge of parapodia. All notopodial cirri tapering, with up to 6 long, cylindrical articulations in anteriormost setigers (Figure 114i). Notopodial cirri of larger specimens rather thick basally, retaining tapered tips in all setigers. Notopodial cirri shorter than branchiae except in anteriormost and posteriormost branchiated setigers.

Limbate setae marginally smooth. Pectinate setae (Figure 114 k,m) flat, tapering, with rather wide, delicate teeth. Marginal teeth no longer than other teeth; ∼7–8 teeth present. Shafts of compound falcigers (Figure 114 j,n) marginally smooth, tapering. Appendages tapering and relatively short, bidentate. In 1 specimen proximal teeth directed laterally, in other specimens directed obliquely distally. Distal teeth slender and obliquely curved in all specimens. Guards marginally smooth, symmetrically rounded; mucros absent. Pseudocompound falcigers and compound spinigers absent. Aciculae single, dark brown to nearly black, tapering to slender tips, distally curved or straight; cross-sections round. Subacicular hooks (Figure 114o) dark brown, bidentate. Hooks first present from setiger 25, 36, and 39, present in all setigers thereafter, always single (except for replacements). Hooks slender, tapering to relatively small head. Proximal teeth curved and directed laterally in 2 specimens and triangular and directed laterally in smallest specimen. Distal teeth smaller than proximal teeth, curved in all specimens.

UNKNOWN MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES.—Pygidium and anal cirri.

EXPECTED STATES OF UNKNOWN MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES.—None.

CHARACTERS USED IN PREPARATION OF KEY NOT SCORED.—Inappropriate Characters: 56, 58, 59. Unknown Characters: 39, 40, 74, 78.

ASSUMED STATES FOR PURPOSE OF PREPARING KEY.—None.