Eunice balfouriana (McIntosh 1885)

Eunice balfouriana (McIntosh, 1885)

Nicidion balfouriana McIntosh, 1885:301–303, figs. 58, 59, pl. 39: figs. 4–6; pl. 20A: figs. 17, 18.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—Holotype, BM(NH) ZK 1885.12.1.209, off Kermadec Islands, 29°55′S, 178°14′W, 978 m, volcanic mud; Challenger sta 170, 14 Jul 1874.

COMMENTS ON MATERIAL EXAMINED.—A. Muir (in litt.) pointed out that the official station list for the Challenger states that the substrate should be rock, rather than volcanic mud; in addition, two positions were given, one as quoted above, the other 29°45′S, 178°11′W, 1184 m, rock.

The holotype is in two pieces, one anterior end, which has been dissected frontally, and a median piece of about 33 setigers. The two pieces do not match each other. The jaws are missing.

DESCRIPTION.—Anterior end with 17 setigers; length 7.2 mm; maximum width 2.0 mm. Body cylindrical, truncate anteriorly.

Prostomium (Figure 18a) slightly narrower than peristomium, short, posteriorly overlapped by nuchal fold. Prostomial lobes frontally rounded, dorsally inflated; median groove deep. Antennae slender, tapering. A-I and II articulated with long basal articulation and shorter distal articulations; A-III without articulations. A-I with 5 articulations; A-II with 4. A-I to setiger 1; A-II and III to setiger 5. Peristomium cylindrical; anterior ring of total peristomial length. Separation between rings distinct dorsally and ventrally. Peristomial cirri to front edge of peristomium, digitiform, without articulations.

Maxillary formula (rewritten from McIntosh) 1+1, 7+6, 8+0, 2+3, and 10+11. Mx-III part of distal arc with left Mx-IV; Mx-VI missing.

Branchiae absent.

Neuropodial acicular lobes symmetrically triangular. All presetal lobes low folds; postsetal lobes about as long as acicular lobes, rounded. Ventral cirri tapering through setiger 8, thereafter basally swollen in remaining setigers. Notopodial cirri basally inflated, without articulations, less than half as long as width of body.

Limbate setae present. Pectinate setae with ~15 teeth. Aciculae black, single. Subacicular hooks not present in anterior fragment.

Median fragment not matching anterior end; at least 20 setigers missing. Fragment abranchiate, with relatively short, tapering notopodial cirri; ventral cirri basally inflated. All segments with black, bidentate subacicular hooks in addition to tapering black aciculae and limbate and pectinate setae.