Nephasoma cutleri (Murina)

Cutler, Edward B., Schulze, Anja & Dean, Harlan K., 2004, Zealand species, Zootaxa 525, pp. 1-19 : 7

Nephasoma cutleri (Murina)

Golfingia cutleri Murina, 1975: 1087 –1088.

Type locality: Pacific Ocean, 12° S, 178° E, 2614 m.

Remarks: The two very slender, thread­like, complete specimens, have trunks 11–12 mm by 0.5 mm with introverts 40–60% of the trunk length. There is a third specimen but most of its trunk is missing. Small, pale, scattered hooks and a slight constriction at the base of the introvert can be seen, but no other external features. The retractor muscles originate about 30% of the distance towards the posterior end of the trunk and the intestine appears as a loose but regular double helix.

Distribution: Scattered reports from the Pacific Ocean at abyssal depths (2600–4600 m), and the Comoro Islands and Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean from 100–3700 m. These three worms constitute a significant range extension, and suggest a more uniform but sparse distribution throughout the deep water of the Indo­Pacific region.