A Review of the Genus Eunice - Smithsonian Institution Libraries

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specimens examined, as well as museum reference numbers,
locality information, and number of specimens is given. Locality
information is given as originally spelled either on the labels
or in the original description. Where necessary, equivalent
modern names have been added in parentheses. Depths of
capture have been recalculated to the metric system.
Comments on the Material Examined: This section includes
comments on the state of preservation of the specimens;
any specimens referred to other species are named, as are
specimens specifically described or illustrated if the quality of
the specimens differ. I have also included comments on missing
type materials.
Descriptions: The descriptions have been standardized,
with all features named and described in the same sequence,
beginning with overall body characters. Included are state of
completeness of the specimen; sex (if identifiable); numbers of
setigers present, total length, maximum width, length through
setiger 10, width at setiger 10. All measurements expressed are
in mm. In addition, the setiger at which the maximal width is
first reached is noted. The shape of the body in general appearance
is briefly noted. Descriptions of pygidium and anal cirri
are given in this section.
Next are named and described all features associated with
prostomium and peristomium. The jaw structure, often limited
to a maxillary formula, is given in a separate section and the
branchiae are described in a separate paragraph.
In the paragraph describing the parapodia, each feature is
mentioned for anterior, median, and posterior setigers when
possible. The ventral cirri are considered part of the neuropodia
and are included in the description of the neuropodia. The
notopodial cirri, in the literature referred to as the dorsal cirri,
are here considered extensions of the notopodia and are for that
reason described separately.
In the section on setae, the different kinds of setae are
described in the following order: limbate setae, pectinate setae,
compound hooks (and compound spinigers when present),
aciculae, and finally subacicular hooks.
I have attempted to account for features not included in a
description, either in terms of actual absence or because the
type material is incomplete or in too poor condition to discern
a given structure.
Several types have fragmented over time or were originally
collected in several pieces. I have consistently assumed that the
anterior end represents the individual originally described and
that all other fragments, although they probably belong to the
species, may belong to other individuals or even species collected
at the same time. The problem is particularly serious
when material has been collected by dredging, where one may
get representatives of several species, and it may be difficult to
associate anterior and posterior ends (cf. Eunice torresiensis
and E. tribranchiata below). If the type has been cut into pieces
that clearly match, I have assumed that the pieces are part of a
single specimen.
Caution was taken to avoid damaging specimens. Single
SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY
type specimens were not dissected to examine the jaws, even if
the descriptions thereby remain incomplete.
The parapodia used for illustrations were, as much as possible,
appended to the types in small glass vials to be available
for future study.
The following four items are listed separately from the
description to ensure that they are not considered part of the
description itself.
Unknown Morphological Features: In this section is given
a brief summary of major morphological features left undescribed,
usually because of the fragmentary nature of the types.
Expected States of Selected Unknown Features: For some
species a few predictions of the expected state of various
unknown characters can be given. These predictions were made
to stimulate a closer examination of specimens.
The next two features indicate the status of each character,
using the character table.
Character States Unknown: "Inappropriate characters" are
those characters that cannot under any circumstances be scored
for the species in question; for example, all features associated
with branchiae in an abranchiate species. "Unknown characters"
arc those characters that should have been scored but
which had to be left out, usually because of the incomplete state
of the type.
Assumed States Used in Preparing Key: Many species
were described from anterior fragments only; some characters,
such as the posterior branchial distribution, are thus unavailable.
Because knowledge of the branchial distribution is crucial
for creating a reasonably accurate key, I have assumed a state
for the characters listed. The assumed states cannot be verified
on the types; a study of additional material from the type area
may test the likelihood of the assumption. In theory, as the
holotype is the only specimen that is the carrier of a particular
name, verification is impossible, but for all biological, rather
than nomenclatural purposes, the character states can be
demonstrated, based on the study of fresh material. Most of the
assumed states follow traditions in the literature; where nothing
else is stated, I follow suggestions in Hartman (1944) or
Fauchald (1970).
Remarks: This section includes a few comments on similar
species and reference to the appropriate comparison table(s).
Where appropriate I have also specified differences between
the original and the current descriptions. Remarks about each
species have been kept brief because most of the comparisons
to similar species can be done through the tables.
Illustrations: The anterior ends are drawn in lateral view. I
adopted the convention of not drawing appendages from the far
side of the worm in order to avoid cluttering illustrations of
species with long notopodial cirri and branchiae. Parapodial
and setal features are illustrated; where necessary, parapodia
from both the anterior and median-posterior end were removed
and illustrated. The parapodia were drawn in full anterior view
as mounted on a microscopic slide. I have adopted the following
conventions when drawing setal forms in the parapodial