Charcotus DattaGupta, 1981

Biseswar, Ramlall, 2005, Report on some deep-sea echiurans (Echiura) of the North-East Atlantic, Zoosystema 27 (1), pp. 37-46 : 44

Genus Charcotus DattaGupta, 1981

Charcotus clavatum DattaGupta, 1981 ( Fig. 3D, E )

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Porcupine Abyssal Plain, BENGAL 5, Discovery 231, stn 13368#52, 48°48.30’N, 16°25.97’W, 4839 m, 19.III.1998, 2.

DESCRIPTION

Colour of proboscis of preserved specimens is creamy white. Trunk grey in distended regions but light pink in contracted portions. Proboscis of larger specimen is 7 mm and rounded distally; lateral margins unite proximally forming funnel around mouth ( Fig. 3D ). Trunk is 66 mm in length and 12 mm across broadest part. Corresponding measurements of smaller specimen are 63 mm and 15 mm. Distal end of proboscis damaged in smaller specimen. Single gonopore located a few millimetres away from anterior end of trunk ( Fig. 3D ). Ventral setae absent. Papillae microscopic, more clearly discernible in contracted regions of body.

Internally, single gonoduct located on right side of nerve cord ( Fig. 3E ). Gonoduct distended at proximal and distal ends but constricted and tubular in middle region. Gonostome is terminal, gonostomal lip simple and round ( Fig. 3E ). Gut long and coiled, attached to body wall by thin mesenteric strands. Gut contents consist of fine sand not moulded into faecal pellets. Dorsal and neurointestinal vessels are long; neurointestinal vessel is single throughout. Anal vessels are two elongated tubes opening into cloacal bulb.

REMARKS

Figures

FIG. 3. — A-C, Eubonellia longistomum DattaGupta, 1981; A, ventral view of female; B, gonoduct; C, anterior end of trunk cavity showing the blood system; D, E, Charcotus clavatum DattaGupta, 1981; D, ventral view of anterior part of female; E, gonoduct. Abbreviations: dv, dorsal vessel; gd, gonoduct; gp, gonopore; gs, gonostome; nc, nerve cord; niv, neurointestinal vessel; pr, pro-