Eunice brevis (Ehlers 1887)

Eunice brevis (Ehlers, 1887)

Nicidion brevis Ehlers, 1887:98–99, pl. 28; figs. 9–14, pl. 29: figs. 1,2.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—Holotype, MCZ 833, Key West, Florida, 2–3 m, Blake cruises.

COMMENTS ON MATERIAL EXAMINED.—The holotype has been dried out at one time and is somewhat distorted.

DESCRIPTION.—Holotype complete with 130 setigers; total length 18 mm; maximal width 1.5 mm wide at about setiger 10. Length through setiger 10, 2.5 mm. Anterior part of body inflated with highly convex dorsum, becoming flattened in posterior setigers; ventrum flattened in whole specimen.

Prostomium (Figure 27a) distinctly shorter than and narrower than peristomium, as deep as of the peristomium. Prostomial lobes irregularly truncate, dorsally somewhat flattened; median sulcus shallow. Eyes not observed. Antennae in nearly straight line, evenly spaced, similar in thickness. Ceratophores ring-shaped in all antennae, without articulations. Ceratostyles digitiform, with 2 to 3 irregular, cylindrical articulations. All antennae to posterior peristomial ring. Peristomium ventrally flaring, with distinct muscular lower lip. Separation between rings distinct dorsally only; anterior ring less than of total peristomial length. A transverse crease along ventral surface not matching dorsal separation into rings. Peristomial cirri barely to first peristomial ring, slender and digitiform, without articulations.

Jaws now missing. Maxillary formula 1+1, 5+5, 4+0, 3+4, and 1+1. Ehlers (1887:98, pl. 29: fig. 1) illustrated the jaws as symmetrical; probably Mx III form distal arc with left Mx IV.

Branchiae absent.

Anterior neuropodial acicular lobes symmetrically rounded or truncate, becoming symmetrically triangular in posterior setigers; aciculae emerging at midline. All pre- and postsetal lobes low folds. Ventral cirri thick, tapering. Median ventral cirri basally strongly inflated in setigers 8 and 28 according to Ehlers' illustrations; inflated bases thick, transverse welts. Posterior ventral cirri without basal inflation, tapering. All notopodial cirri short, medially inflated, without articulations.

Limbate setae (Figure 27c) longer than other setae, narrowly limbate, marginally smooth, geniculate. Pectinate setae (Figure 27e) large; shafts cylindrical, slender; blades strongly flared, flat. One marginal tooth longer than other teeth; about 15 teeth present. Shafts of compound falcigers (Figure 27b) distally inflated, marginally smooth, without distal beaks. Appendages short, slightly tapering, with large heads, bidentate. Proximal teeth slender, tapering, directed laterally, but curved distally. Distal teeth about the same size as the proximal teeth, slender, tapering, directed obliquely distally. Guards symmetrically rounded, marginally serrated, without mucros. Pseudocompound falcigers and compound spinigers absent Aciculae (Figure 27f) single, black, tapering, sharply pointed, straight; posterior aciculae thick; cross-section round. Subacicular hooks (Figure 27d) black, bidentate. Hooks first present from setiger 27, present in all setigers thereafter, always single (except for replacements). Hooks with narrow neck, distinct head; proximal teeth larger than distal teeth, curved; distal teeth slender, tapering; both teeth directed distally.

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

EXPECTED STATE OF UNKNOWN MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES.—Mx III short, curved, and forming part of distal arc with left Mx IV.

CHARACTERS USED IN PREPARATION OF KEY NOT SCORED.—Inappropriate Characters: 31–42, 56, 58, 59. Unknown Characters: 13, 14, 74, 78.

ASSUMED STATES FOR PURPOSE OF PREPARING KEY.—None.