“Genus Levidorum, new genus
Type Levidorunt scotiarum, new species
This genus differs from other genera of the family in completely lacking epithelial capsules or papillae. The epithelium is smooth and unadorned. The prostomium lacks antennae, papillae and eyes, such as characterize other species. Parapodia are simple, uniramous, bluntly conical lobes at the sides of the body. Setae are of one kind, simple, distally slightly falcate. A single species is named.
Discussion: The conventional definition of Sphaerodoridae requires emendation to incorporate this aberrant form. By definition the body is short and broad, or long and linear. The prostomium is indistinct, covered with papillae and has two pairs of antennae; it has two or four eyes which may be obscure. The first segment is achaetous, with a pair of papillae resembling tentacular cirri. Setae are present from the second segment. The proboscis is unarmed, cylindrical or globular. The surface of the body is covered with papillae or spherical capsules which may have a terminal filament. Parapodia are uniramous and covered with papillae. Setae are entirely simple or entirely composite falcigers. The pygidium has papillae, including an unpaired one.
Levidorum departs in the following respects: the prostomium is distinct and lacks eyes, papillae and antennae. The surface epithelium is smooth, lacks papillae or capsules. Parapodia lack papillae. Setae are simple and falcigerous. The buccal region consists of two segments. This genus is more nearly allied to the Sphaerodoridae than any other family because the small body is short, parapodia are uniramous, and the setae are distally falcate with a faint indication of an articulation.”
(Hartman, 1967)
