Polydora and related genera (Polychaeta: Spionidae) from the Grand Caribbean region Author Vı Author Delgado-Blas, ctor H. text Journal of Natural History 2008 2008-01-31 42 1 - 2 1 19 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930701831240 journal article 10.1080/00222930701831240 1464-5262 4651778 Polydora quintanarooensis sp. nov. ( Figure 4 ) Type material Caribbean Sea: LH01-540, Contoy Island , Quintana Roo (21 ° 3098.40N, 86 ° 47945.30W), coll. L. Harris , holotype ( LACM-AHF POLY 2194 ); Gulf of Mexico : Campeche (19 ° 519N, 91 ° 339W), coll. S. Salazar , 10 May 2000 , one paratype (ECOSUR-0084); 5 May 2000 , four paratypes (ECOSUR-0085) . Description Holotype Incomplete specimen with 18 anterior segments, 2.1 mm long, 0.5 mm wide at chaetiger 7. Prostomium rounded; caruncle extending to segment 3; two rounded eyes; occipital antenna absent ( Figure 4A ). Palps extending posteriorly for 9–11 segments. In alcohol, small spots of black pigmentation sparsely distributed along dorsal side of prostomium ( Figure 4A ); body opaque white. Chaetiger 1 with well-developed postchaetal lamellae in both rami; long capillary neurochaetae present, notochaetae absent ( Figure 4A ). Winged capillary notochaetae of chaetigers 2–4, 6, and subsequent segments arranged in two rows; specialized posterior notochaetae absent. Winged capillary neurochaetae of chaetigers 2–4, and 6 arranged in two rows. Bidentate neuropodial hooded hooks from chaetiger 7, numbering four per fascicle at first, not accompanied by capillaries; hooks increasing to six hooks per fascicle by chaetiger 11; hooks with wide angle between main fang and shaft, and narrow angle between main fang and apical tooth, with constriction and manubrium on shaft ( Figure 4B ). Figure 4. Polydora quintanarooensis sp. nov. (ECOSUR-0084). (A) Anterior region, dorsal view; (B) hooded hook of anterior segments; (C) chaetiger 5 notochaetae; (D) spines and companion chaetae of chaetiger 5. Scale bars: 80 mm (A); 200 mm (B–D). Chaetiger 5 greatly modified, larger than adjacent segments; lacking postchaetal lamellae; chaetae include five superior dorsal winged capillaries ( Figure 4C ), and four ventral winged capillaries; with slightly curved row of five major spines alternating with pennoned companion chaetae ( Figure 4D ); major spines falcate, with a lateral tooth ( Figure 4D ). Branchiae from chaetiger 7, continuing to posterior end of fragment; attaining full size by chaetiger 10. All branchiae basally free from notopodial lamellae. Glandular opening on chaetigers 14–15, between notolamellae. Gizzard-like structure present in intestinal tract on segment 16. Pygidium unknown. Variability Paratypes also incomplete, 3–5 mm long, 0.5–1 mm wide at segment 9, for 23–90 segments. Body pigmentation absent. Prostomium entire or incised anteriorly, with large swollen caruncle extending posteriorly to chaetigers 3–4; number of eyes variable, from none to four. Winged capillary notochaetae of chaetigers 2, 3 arranged in two rows, and notochaetae of chaetigers 4, 6–11 arranged in three rows. Neuropodial hooded hooks from chaetiger 7, numbering six per fascicle, not accompanied by capillaries, hooks increasing to seven hooks per fascicle by chaetiger 11. Modified chaetiger 5 with up to five superior dorsal winged capillaries, and up to seven ventral winged capillaries; lateral tooth on major spines varies in size, with some paratypes having major spines with a lateral tooth, or spines with a small shelf or protuberance on side, or lateral tooth absent; curved row of six major spines alternating with pennoned companion chaetae; gizzard-like structure in intestinal tract absent. Ecology Polydora quintanarooensis is found in burrows within rock fragments. Remarks Polydora quintanarooensis sp. nov. belongs to the Polydora ciliata / websteri group, having hooded hooks from chaetiger 7, lacking notochaetae on chaetiger 1, and having accessory flanges or teeth on the major spines of chaetiger 5. Polydora quintanarooensis most closely resembles P. pygidialis Blake and Woodwick, 1972 , described from British Columbia and California ; both species have major spines with large lateral accessory tooth, and lack specialized posterior notochaetae. Polydora quintanarooensis differs from P . pygidialis in having a caruncle extending to chaetiger 3–4 instead of 2, long neuropodial lobe on chaetiger 1, instead of short notopodial lobe, notochaetae of chaetigers 4, 6–11 arranged in three rows instead of two rows, chaetiger 5 with dorsal winged capillaries instead of heavy, pointed, slightly bent chaetae. Etymology The species name refers to the type locality. Distribution Caribbean Sea: Contoy Island , Quintana Roo , Gulf of Mexico : Campeche .