Websterinereis punctata (Wesenberg-Lund 1949)

Websterinereis punctata (Wesenberg-Lund) new combination

Leptonereis punctata Wesenberg-Lund, 1949:289, figs. 21–23.

Laeonereis ankyloseta Day, 1957:83, fig. 5a–j; 1960:321.—Hartman 1959a:243.

Nicon punctata.—Hartman 1958:265; 1959a:245, 274.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—Persian Gulf, G. Thorson, collector: station 25A, 14 March 1937, 28°58′N, 49°30′E, 49 meters, sand with very little clay—larger syntype (UZMC); station 45D, 31 March 1937, 27°42′N, 51°25′E, 58 meters, clay mixed with sand, shells—smaller syntype (UZMC).

TYPE MATERIAL.—The larger syntype from station 25A is incomplete posteriorly, 40 mm in length, 3 mm in width, including setae, and 70 segments; it is rather flaccid. The smaller syntype from station 45D is a complete specimen of about 90 segments, 30 mm in length and 2 mm in width, including setae; it is a female containing relatively large eggs; the eyes are larger than those in the other syntype. The pharynx is extended in both syntypes.

DESCRIPTION.—Length up to 50 mm, width up to 3 mm, including setae, segments up to 90. Prostomium with short tapered frontal antennae and stout biarticulate palps; moderately large eyes, anterior pair larger than posterior pair (Figure 12a). Tentacular segment about twice length of following segment; tentacular cirri with cylindrical cirrophores, longest extending to about setiger 6. Parapodia of first two setigers with dorsal cirrus and notopodial ligule; neuropodium with postsetal lobe, short presetal lobe, lower ligule, and ventral cirrus (Figure 12b,c); upper bundle of neurosetae composed of homogomph spinigers (Figure 12d) and heterogomph spinigers (Figure 12e); lower bundle of neurosetae heterogomph spinigers with blades long (upper ones) to short (lower ones).

Parapodia of anterior region (Figure 12f,g) with dorsal cirri emerging from basal parts of upper notopodial ligules and extending slightly beyond them; upper and lower notopodial ligules subconical and subequal; presetal notopodial lobe, between ligules, rounded and somewhat smaller; postsetal neuropodial lobe elongate-conical; presetal neuropodial lobe short; lower neuropodial ligules subequal to notopodial ligules; short subulate ventral cirri. Notosetae all homogomph spinigers with long blades (Figure 12d). Upper bundle of neurosetae composed of few homogomph spinigers with long blades and heterogomph falcigers with relatively long blades (Figure 12h); lower bundle of neurosetae composed of upper heterogomph spinigers with long blades, heterogomph falcigers with relatively long blades and lower heterogomph spinigers with short blades (Figure 12i).

Parapodia of middle region (Figure 13a,b) with notopodia and neuropodia more widely separated; notopodial presetal lobes diminishing in size; neuropodial presetal lobes indistinct from acicular lobes. Upper bundle of neurosetae homogomph spinigers with long blades and few (1–4) stout heterogomph falcigers with bifid tips, blades showing signs of fusion to stems (Figure 13c); lower bundle neurosetae with heterogomph spinigers and heterogomph falcigers, both bearing short blades.

Parapodia of posterior region (Figure 13d,e) with notopodial presetal lobes further diminished in size. Upper bundle of neurosetae homogomph spinigers with long blades and few (1–2) stout simple falcigers formed by complete fusion of blades to stems, their tips bifid, differing in appearance due to wear (Figure 13f). Lower bundle of neurosetae heterogomph spinigers with long blades, heterogomph falcigers with short blades (Figure 13g), and heterogomph spinigers with relatively short blades (Figure 13h).

Jaws of pharynx (Figure 12a) with about ten teeth. Maxillary or distal ring bare, without paragnaths or papillae; basal or oral ring with large subconical papillae on dorsal surface (area VI) and row of seven small papillae on ventrolateral surface (areas VII-VIII), middle three (area VII) somewhat larger.

DISTRIBUTION.—Persian Gulf (northern and central part) and South Africa (False Bay to Natal and Mozambique). In 2 to 58 meters.