Sphaerodoropsis spissum ( Benham, 1921 )

Capa, Maria & Bakken, Torkild, 2015, Revision of the Australian Sphaerodoridae (Annelida) including the description of four new species, Zootaxa 4000 (2), pp. 227-267 : 262

Sphaerodoropsis spissum ( Benham, 1921)

Sphaerodorum spissum Benham, 1921: 74 –77, Pl. 9, Figs 82–89.– Augener 1927: 208 –210, Fig. 11 .

Remarks. This species was originally described from the Sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island as a species densely covered with papillae of not exact same sizes ( Benham 1921). It has been suggested that this species has longitudinal rows of macrotubercles on the ventrum ( Reuscher & Fiege 2011), but this is not quite clear from the original description and illustrations. In the original description and remarks given there were obviously problems to observe necessary details, and uncertainty in observation of characters was explicitly stated ( Benham 1921: 74– 77). This species was reported a few years later from the head of Sydney Harbour ( Augener 1927). Due to the small size of the single specimens found then (2.5 mm long), Augener had trouble observing all details and it is not unlikely that specimen belong to S. fauchaldi with its numerous macrotubercles distributed with no apparent pattern. It is necessary to study specimens reported as S. spissum to prepare a re-description in order to establish the true identity of this species. Until then, the species should not be considered to be a part of the continental Australian fauna, and should be considered known only from the original description. Nevertheless, it has not been possible to examine original or reported specimens.

Figures

FIGURE 11. Sphaerodoropsis heteropapillata, AM W. 42686, scanning electron micrographs. A. Complete specimen, dorsolateral view. B. Anterior end, ventral view. C. Detail anterior chaetiger and head, ventral view. D. Parapodia in mid-body chaetigers, lateral view. E. Mid-body parapodia, ventral view. F. Detail of cuticular granules. G. Parapodium mid-body chaetiger, anterior view. H. Parapodium posterior chaetigers, lateral view. I. Posterior chaetiger and pygidium, ventro-lateral view. J, K. Light micrographs of holotype. J. Chaetal fascicle mid chaetiger. K. Chaetae posterior chaetiger. L. Semi-compound chaetae anterior chaetiger, with distal spines on blade (arrow). M. Same, following chaetiger. Abbreviations: al, acicular lobe; la, lateral antenna; ma, median antenna; pa, palp; tc, tentacular cirrus; vc, ventral cirrus; 1 st, parapodium first chaetiger.