An abundant new genus and species of fan worms (Polychaeta: Sabellidae) from Hawaii

Abstract

A new genus and species of Hawaiian sabellid polychaete, Euchonoides moeone n. gen. et n. sp. is described. This new species has consistently been one of the most abundant polychaetes collected in Mamala Bay, Hawaii, reaching densities of 141,046 ind. m-2 and representing up to 30.6% of all polychaetes collected in that region. The species has a small body (~2 mm length) with a reduced number of abdominal chaetigers (8–10), and is distinguished by the presence of the following features: 1) three pairs of radioles; 2) radiolar skeleton with two longitudinal rows of cells from radiole base to third proximal pair of pinnules, remainder of each radiole skeleton with single rows of cells; 3) pinnules unpaired, alternating (snowflake arrangement); 4) thoracic uncini acicular with a large tooth above the main fang followed by a series of small ones; 5) thoracic chaetiger 3 enlarged; 6) a wide belt on third abdominal chaetiger; and 7) a pre-pygidial depression composed of three chaetigers, with lateral wings, among a combination of several others features. Histological sections have shown that the abdominal belt seems to be a clitellum-like structure where oogenesis takes place. The new genus is compared with other plesiomorphic genera sharing similar morphological features. Patterns of abundance of the new species are presented for the past 27 years in Mamala Bay.