Paumotella Chamberlin, 1919

Ten Hove, Harry A. & Kupriyanova, Elena K., 2009, Taxonomy of Serpulidae (Annelida, Polychaeta): The state of affairs, Zootaxa 2036, pp. 1-126 : 71

28. Paumotella Chamberlin, 1919

( Figs 33, 51E)

Type-species: Paumotella takemoana Chamberlin, 1919

Number of species: 1

Tube unknown. Operculum inverse conical, the distal chitinous endplate slightly depressed, without processes. Opercular peduncle smooth, oval (flattened circular) in cross-section, with long basal lateral wing ( Fig. 51E); insertion just outside radioles, covering base of 4–5 radioles. Pseudoperculum absent. Arrangement of radioles in semi-circles, up to 21 per lobe. Inter-radiolar membrane absent. Branchial eyes not found in preserved material, stylodes absent. Mouth palps present. 7 thoracic chaetigerous segments. Collar trilobed, with entire edge. Thoracic membranes narrowing abruptly between 4 th and 5 th segment, where they end; no apron. Tonguelets absent. Collar chaetae limbate ( Fig. 33A). Apomatus chaetae present ( Fig. 33B, C). Thoracic uncini saw-shaped, with 12 teeth above rounded peg ( Fig. 33D). Thoracic triangular depression present. Anterior and median abdominal regions with stout, moderately curved, acute, slightly compressed acicular chaetae ( Fig. 33F); posteriorly long capillaries with distal limbus; uncini rasp-shaped, with about 10 teeth in profile, 2–3 teeth in a row above peg ( Fig. 33E). Achaetous anterior abdominal zone short, 2–3 segments only. Posterior glandular pad absent.

Remarks. The original description of this monotypic genus is not up to the present standards, a new description is given below. The characteristic features of the genus, according to Chamberlin (1919) are the abdominal chaetae that are neither denticulate nor geniculate, but acicular, as well as the shape of the operculum; however, the latter is not very characteristic, being similar to that of some Vermiliopsis spp. , as well as that of Ditrupa .