Polydora anoculata Moore 1907

Polydora anoculata Moore

Polydora anoculata Moore 1907, pp. 197–199, pl. 15:fig§. 7–17, 25.—Sumner et al., 1913, p. 625.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—Massachusetts (Cape Cod Bay, coll. SEP; Holotype, ANSP 2338).

DESCRIPTION.—Polydora anoculata is a thin, slender species measuring up to 20 mm in length and having about 100 segments. The prostomium is anteriorly bifurcated. Eyes are absent. The caruncle extends posteriorly to setiger 5 (Figure 15a).

Setiger 1 has both noto- and neurosetae. The former are thin, slender capillaries, while the latter have narrow wings. Setigers 2–4, 6 and succeeding setigers contain winged capillary notosetae. The slender capillary neurosetae of setigers 2–4, and 6 are almost completely replaced by hooded hooks on setiger 7. The hooks have a recurved shaft and no constriction (Figure 15j).

Setiger 5 contains three groups of setae: a bundle of pennoned dorsal setae anterior to a row of heavy spines alternating with pennoned companion setae, and a ventral tuft of delicate pennoned setae. The heavy spines have a lateral flange, which resembles a tooth when worn (Figure 15b–i). An additional small spur is occasionally seen on some spines.

Branchiae begin on setigers 9 or 10 (Figure 15a). They are small at first, attaining full size on setiger 11; they are absent from posterior setigers.

The pygidium is disklike, with a deep dorsal notch.

DISTRIBUTION.—Known only from the Woods Hole region, Massachusetts.