“Colossendeis megalonyx orcadense n. comb. (Figs. 7, 8, 11-14, 22, 23)
MATERIAL EXAMINED
Through the kindness of Mr. Rodger Waterston and the authorities of the Royal Scottish Museum, we have been able to re-examine Hodgson's type specimen.
Eltanin Sta. 393, 1 male.
DESCRIPTION
Based on the type specimen and one additional male specimen, augmented by information in Hodgson's description and in Fage (1956) and Stock (1963). The holotype has been fixed with glue to an opaque glass plate, and therefore it was not possible to examine all of its structures.
EYES. Completely lacking, or if present, entirely unpigmented.
OVIGERAL SPINE FIELDS: Ovigeral spine fields with the configuration
NS : (Sp / A) : (MF / B) : ((N/P) / (n=2))
RECORDED SIZE RANGES:
L. leg
110-126 mm
L. trunk
12-13 (?+)
L. probosci
18-20
L. palp
27.3-35.85
PERCENTAGE LENGTHS OF SEGMENTS:
Palp segments
Holotype
Madagascar
9th
6.95
8.05 (-)
8th
6.95
7.32 (-)
7th
5.00
3.66 (-)
6th
15.98
14.64 (-)
5th
11.12
11.34 (-)
4th
19.46
21.96 (-)
3rd
3.61
?
2nd
30.58
32.94 (-)
Leg
3 coxae
5.46
5.53
Femur
29.12
27.65
Tibia 1
33.67
23.70
Tibia 2
20.02
18.96
Tarsus
10.01
10.27
Propodus
6.37
6.71
Claw
4.55
6.71
RELATIVE PROPORTIONS (See also Figs. 7, 8, 11-14, and Table 2):
L. leg ÷ L. trunk
8.46
10.50
L. leg ÷ L. proboscis
5.50
7.00
L. leg ÷ L. palp
3.06
4.61 (-)
L. palp 4th ÷ L.
0.63
0.67
L. femur ÷ L. tibia 1
1.14
1.16
L. femur ÷ L. tibia 2
1.45
1.45
L. proboscis ÷ L. trunk
1.53
1.50
DEPTH RANGE AND DISTRIBUTION
The Madagascar and South African records extend by more than two thousand metres the greatest depth recorded for Colossendeis megalonyx. In view of the variable development of its eyes, it seems reasonable to suggest that this sub-species is primarily an abyssal form. Hodgson gave no depth for his specimen, although he refers to it as a "shallow water" form. Such an apparently wide bathymetric range is not as surprising as appears at first. C. angusta, which occupies an abyssal habitat in all major temperate and tropical ocean basins is found in the sub-littoral region of the Arctic (Stephensen, 1933).” (Fry & Hedgpeth 1969, p. 34-35)
