Leodice limosa (Ehlers 1868)

Eunice limosa Ehlers, 1868

Eunice limosa Ehlers, 1868:348–352, pl. 15: figs. 15–22.

Eunice vittata.—Fauvel, 1911:11 [? not Eunice vittata Chiaje, 1828].

DESCRIPTION.—This species was originally described from Kvarner Gulf in the Adriatic Sea. The types are no longer available, but the description given by Ehlers is sufficiently detailed to characterize the form.

Specimens with 81–106 segments; total length 32–65 mm; width ~2 mm. Body cylindrical anteriorly, tapering to slender posterior ends. Anal cirri as long as last 5 setigers, without articulations.

Prostomium frontally rounded; median sulcus shallow. Ceratophores ring-shaped in all antennae, without articulations. Ceratostyles digitiform, with up to 25 cylindrical articulations in A-III. A-I to posterior peristomial ring; A-II to setiger 3; A-III to setiger 5. Separation between peristomial rings distinct on all sides; anterior ring twice as long as posterior ring. Peristomial cirri to front edge of peristomium, digitiform, without articulations.

Maxillary formula 1+1, 9+10, 7+0, 6+10, and presumably 1+1. Mx III long, located behind left Mx II.

Branchiae present, pectinate, distinctly longer than notopodial cirri, not reduced in mid-body region, erect. Branchiae from setiger 3 to setiger 36. Branchiae terminating well before posterior end, present on less than 55% of total number of setigers. Maximum 12 slender, nearly filiform filaments. Filaments about as long as notopodial cirri.

Ventral cirri basally inflated in median setigers. Posterior ventral cirri not inflated. Notopodial cirri digitiform, without articulations in all setigers.

Shafts of compound falcigers distally inflated, marginally serrated. Appendages short, tapering, bidentate. Proximal teeth larger than distal teeth, triangular, directed laterally. Distal teeth short, obliquely directed distally. Guards symmetrically sharply pointed, with distinct mucros. Pseudocompound falcigers and compound spinigers absent. Aciculae yellow, slender, tapering, straight; cross-sections round. Separation between core and sheath indistinct in both aciculae and subacicular hooks. Subacicular hooks yellow, tridentate with teeth in a crest. Distribution unknown, present well before setiger 30.

UNKNOWN MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES.—Several features from all parts of the body.

EXPECTED STATES OF SELECTED UNKNOWN FEATURES.—None.

CHARACTERS USED IN PREPARATION OF KEY NOT SCORED.—Inappropriate Characters: 58, 59. Unknown Characters: 4–6, 8, 10–17, 24, 39, 40, 42–52, 54–56, 60, 65–68, 80–82.

ASSUMED STATES FOR PURPOSE OF PREPARING KEY.—None.