Crucigera Benedict, 1887

Ten Hove, Harry A. & Kupriyanova, Elena K., 2009, Taxonomy of Serpulidae (Annelida, Polychaeta): The state of affairs, Zootaxa 2036, pp. 1-126 : 36

6. Crucigera Benedict, 1887

( Fig. 13)

Type-species: Crucigera websteri Benedict, 1887

Number of species: 5

Tube white or yellowish, opaque, circular to semi-circular in cross-section, with or without longitudinal keels and/or peristomes; tabulae may be present. Granular overlay absent, but outer layer may be shiningly hyaline. Operculum soft, funnel shaped, formed of fused radii. Base of funnel with 2–4 finger-like bosses. Peduncle smooth, cylindrical, without wings, separated from operculum by constriction; inserted proximal from first and/or second dorsal radiole on one side. Pseudoperculum present. Arrangement of radioles in two half to complete circles, up to 50 radioles per lobe in larger taxa. Inter-radiolar membrane present. Branchial eyes may be present. Stylodes absent. Mouth palps absent. 7 thoracic chaetigerous segments. Collar trilobed, tonguelets between ventral and lateral collar lobes absent. Thoracic membranes long, forming apron. Collar chaetae bayonet-shaped and limbate ( Fig. 13A). Thoracic chaetae limbate, Apomatus chaetae absent ( Fig. 13B). Thoracic uncini saw-shaped with 5–7 teeth, including simple pointed anterior fang ( Fig. 13C). Triangular depression present. Abdominal chaetae flat trumpet-shaped, with denticulate edge ( Fig. 13D). Abdominal uncini saw-shaped with 4–6 teeth anteriorly ( Fig. 13E); rasp-shaped with 2–4 rows, 7–8 teeth in profile posteriorly. Long posterior capillary chaetae present. Achaetous anterior abdominal zone absent. Posterior glandular pad absent.

Remarks. The genus, with 5 species, was thoroughly revised by ten Hove & Jansen-Jacobs (1984). However, Kupriyanova et al. (2008) demonstrate that the traditional genera Crucigera and Serpula most probably are paraphyletic.

1. Crucigera inconstans Straughan, 1967b , Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia

2. Crucigera irregularis Bush, 1905 , Arctic North Pacific , Kamchatka to Washington State

3. Crucigera tricornis Gravier, 1906 , widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific

4. Crucigera websteri Benedict, 1887 , Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Brazil; Pacific Colombia, California 5. Crucigera zygophora ( Johnson, 1901) , North Japan, Arctic North Pacific, Kamchatka to Washington State.