Siphonosoma vastum (Selenka & Bülow), Selenka & Bulow

Hsueh, Pan-Wen & Kuo, Chia-Ming, 2009, New records of sipunculan worms from Taiwan, Zootaxa 2067, pp. 51-61 : 55

Siphonosoma vastum (Selenka & Bülow)

Figs. 2 C, 3A

Siphonosoma vastum Cutler, 1994: 47 , 55, fig. 11 (for complete synonymy).

Material examined. One specimen (NMNS-4099-008), Shiaoliuchiu (22°20.25' N, 120°21.48' E), Pingtung County, lower intertidal shell sand, coll. H.-T. Hung, 3 July 2003.

Remarks. This species is easily separated from congeners by the presence of numerous caecae on the rectum ( Cutler 1994: 47, fig. 11). Another peculiar feature is its long introvert with dark claw-shaped hooks in rings ( Fig. 3A ). It is known to widespread in Indo-West Pacific tropical and subtropical waters. The finding of this species in Taiwanese waters is not unexpected.

Figures

FIGURE 2. A, Sipunculus robustus Keferstein. B, Siphonosoma funafuti (Shipley). C, Siphonosoma vastum (Selenka and Bülow). D, Golfingia margaritacea margaritacea (Sars). E, Golfingia muricaudata (Southern, 1913). F, Thysanocardia nigra (Ikeda). Scalebars: A-E, 10 mm; F, 2.5 mm. G, Themiste minor minor (Ikeda), H, Phascolosoma arcuatum (Gray). I, Phascolosoma glabrum glabrum (Sluiter). J, Aspidosiphon (Aspidosiphon) muelleri Diesing. K, Aspidosiphon coyi de Quatrefages. Scalebars: G, 5 mm; H – J, 10 mm; K, 2.5 mm.

FIGURE 3. A, Introvert hooks of Siphonosoma vastum (Selenka and Bülow). B, Anterior close-up view of Themiste minor minor (Ikeda), showing posteriorly orientated hooks. C, Introvert hooks of Phascolosoma arcuatum (Gray). D, Introvert hooks of Phascolosoma glabrum glabrum (Sluiter). E, Anal shield of Aspidosiphon muelleri Diesing. F, Introvert unidentate hook of Aspidosiphon muelleri Diesing. G, Anal shield of Aspidosiphon coyi de Quatrefages, showing grooves on the surface of anal shield. H, Introvert hook of Aspidosiphon coyi de Quatrefages, showing a small secondary tooth on the hook. Scalebars: A, 100 μm; B, E, G, 1 mm; C – D, 80 μm; F, 10 μm; H, 20 μm.