Eunice torresiensis

Eunice torresiensis McIntosh, 1885

Eunice torresiensis McIntosh, 1885:270–272, figs. 32, 33, pl. 37: figs. 18–21, pl. 19A: figs. 12, 13 [in part].—Fauchald, 1986:256–258, figs. 67–70.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—Four of the original 6 syntypes, British Museum (Natural History) ZK 1885.1.12.193, Challenger sta 186, Torres Strait, 10°30′S, 142°18′E, 15 m, coral sand.

COMMENTS ON MATERIAL EXAMINED.—Two additional syntypes were assigned to E. tribranchiata by Fauchald (1986, see below). The remaining material consists of a large and a small specimen; the large specimen is described in detail below; the small specimen, illustrated by McIntosh, consists of 16 setigers and has been cut, presumably from a much longer specimen; the remainder is now missing.

DESCRIPTION.—Large syntype complete with 72 setigers; total length 47 mm; maximal width 3 mm at setiger 10; length through setiger 10, 6.5 mm. Anterior body with highly convex dorsum and flattened ventrum, becoming circular in cross-section in mid body and dorsoventrally flattened posteriorly, abruptly tapering anteriorly, slowly tapering posteriorly.

Prostomium (Figure 109g) distinctly shorter and narrower than peristomium, as deep as of peristomium. Prostomial lobes frontally rounded, dorsally inflated, well separated medially. Reddish eyes between bases of A-I and A-II. Antennae in a straight line, with A-I isolated by a gap, similar in thickness. Ceratophores long in all antennae, without articulations. Ceratostyles tapering, strongly articulated; disital articulations distinctly moniliform; maximal number of articulations about 30 in A-III. A-I to setiger 1; A-II to setiger 7; A-III to setiger 9. Peristomium about as wide as anterior part of body. Separation between rings very indistinct, noticeable only ventrally and at cirral bases; anterior ring nearly of total peristomial length. Peristomial cirri to front edge of the peristomium, slender, with ∼12 articulations.

Maxillary formula (rewritten from McIntosh, 1885:271, fig. 32) 1+1, 4+3, 6+0, 5–6+8, 1+1.

Branchiae present, pectinate, distinctly longer than notopodial cirri, distinctly reduced in mid-body region (Figure 109j), flexible. Branchiae from setiger 5 to setiger 70. Branchiae present to near posterior end, present on more than 65% of total number of setigers. First branchiae single filaments; all other branchiae with at least 2 filaments; maximum 7 filaments by setiger 15; thereafter number decreasing to 3; this number maintained in middle region of body; towards posterior end number of filaments increasing to 7; this number maintained in all but last few segments.

Neuropodial acicular lobes distally truncate; aciculae emerging at midline. All pre- and postsetal lobes low, transverse folds. First 4 ventral cirri digitiform. Ventral cirri basally inflated from setiger 5 through setiger 30. Inflated bases ovate; narrow tips digitiform. Posterior ventral cirri digitiform without inflated bases. Notopodial cirri long and digitiform; prebranchial cirri with up to 6 moniliform articulations; farther back articulations long, slightly drop-shaped; most cirri with 4 articulations.

Limbate and pectinate setae not observed. Shafts of compound falcigers (Figure 109h) tapering without ornamentation. Appendages short, with large heads, bidentate. Proximal and distal teeth similar in size. Proximal teeth triangular, directed laterally. Distal teeth tapering, sharply bent. Guards asymmetrically bluntly pointed; mucros absent. Pseudocompound falcigers and compound spinigers absent. Aciculae paired, yellow, distally bent tapering to sharp tips; cross-sections round. Separation between core and sheath indistinct in both aciculae and subacicular hooks. Subacicular hooks (Figure 109i) yellow, tridentate with teeth in a crest. Hooks first present from setiger 24, present in all setigers thereafter, always single (except for replacements). Hooks with slender main fangs; secondary teeth nearly as large as main fang and small tertiary teeth closely appressed to the secondary teeth.

UNKNOWN MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES.—Relationship between Mx III and left Mx IV; pygidium and anal cirri.

EXPECTED STATES OF UNKNOWN MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES.—Mx III long, located behind left Mx IV; anal cirri with moniliform articulations.

CHARACTERS USED IN PREPARATION OF KEY NOT SCORED.—Inappropriate Characters: 56, 58, 59. Unknown Characters: 65–68.

ASSUMED STATES FOR PURPOSE OF PREPARING KEY.—None.