Serpula vermicularis

Description. Tubes missing. Body light brown (preserved material only). TL = 18.5 mm (n = 4, r: 9.4 - 18.5, µ = 36.6 + / - 10.3); THW = 1.7 mm (n = 5, r: 1.2 - 1.7, µ = 1.6 + / - 0.2). Thoracic membranes and opercular peduncles of all the specimens damaged. Branchial crown with 27 radioles (n = 4, r: 19 - 27, µ = 23.8 + / - 3.4) left, and 25 right (n = 4, r: 17 - 25, µ = 22.5 + / - 3.7); lacking inter-radiolar membrane. Peduncle smooth, with insertion on left (n = 2) or right (n = 2); lacking constriction between it and operculum, its position represented only by a slight change in color (Figs 1 E, 2 I). Club-shaped pseudoperculum present in all specimens. Operculum with short, shallow symmetrical funnel; lacking bulbous basal part (Figs 1 E, 2 I). OL = 2 mm (n = 4, r: 1.3 - 2.1, µ = 1.9 + / - 0.4), OD = 1.8 mm (n = 4, r: 1.1 - 1.8, µ = 1.6 + / - 0.3). Interradial grooves 1 / 4 of funnel length (Fig. 2 H). Funnel with up to 39 radii (n = 4, r: 33 - 39, µ = 36.3 + / - 3.2) with blunt tips (Fig. 1 E-F). Opercular inner surface lacking tubercles (Figs 1 E-F, 2 I). Collar thick, with ventral and dorsal lobes short. Thorax consists of seven chaetigers. Collar chaetal fascicles symmetrical with regard to size and composition unlike in Serpula vossae sp. n. Bayonet chaetae with two blunt-elongate teeth, distal blade smooth, lacking proximal rasp (Fig. 2 J); hooded (capillary) chaetae present. Thoracic membranes apparently well developed (membranes damaged), narrowing toward posterior thorax, fused ventrally, forming a short apron. Remaining six thoracic chaetigers with hooded (limbate) chaetae of two sizes; saw-shaped uncini. Abdomen with anterior achaetous region. Anterior and middle abdominal chaetigers with flat-trumpet chaetae. Posterior chaetigers with ' capillary' chaetae. Anterior and posterior uncini saw-shaped.

Distribution. Nigeria, Gulf of Guinea (Fig. 6).