Synelmis sp. C 

 Figures 29-37, 38a-k 



MATERIAL EXAMINED: 

 Gulf of Mexico BLM-OCS: 



SOFLA 4D-8/81 (1 spec, USNM 86991); MAFLA 2313E-11/77 (1 spec, USNM 

 86990), 2422C-6/76 (1 spec), 2957G-11/77 (1 spec); STOCS HR1-5 F/76 (1 

 spec, USNM 86992). 

 DESCRIPTION: 



Length, 9.0+ ram; width, to 0.30 mm. Largest specimen incomplete with 42 

 setigers. Prostoraium (Figure 29-38a) with three small digitiform anten- 

 nae, equal in length. Eyes present. Palps with small ventral palpo- 

 styles (Figure 29-38b,c). Dorsal and ventral pairs of tentacular cirri 

 equal in length, about 1.5 times longer than antennae (Figure 29-38b). 

 Dorsal cirri all similar in length. Ventral cirri present throughout, 

 smaller than dorsal cirri (Figure 29-38d). Body with smooth integument. 

 Notopodial spines (Figure 29-38e) beginning on setiger 5, accompanied by 

 slender aciculum (Figure 29-38d). Neuropodia of anterior 14-17 setigers 

 with about nine serrate setae tapering to fine tips (Figure 29-38f); 

 thereafter, middle and lower neurosetae gradually transformed to have 

 two rows of rounded teeth on convex margin below acuminate tip (Figure 

 29-38g,h). Acuminate neurosetae becoming stouter posteriorly and 

 variously shaped (Figure 29-38i,j). Larger specimens with supra- 

 acicular, smooth, emergent spine beginning about setigers 18-25 (Figure 

 29-38d); smaller specimens lacking spines. Number of neurosetae reduced 

 to 4-6 posteriorly. Pygidium (Figure 29-38k) with single bifurcate anal 

 cirrus. 



REMARKS: Synelmis sp. C differs from other species of the genus in the 

 form of the acuminate neurosetae. 



GULF OF MEXICO BLM-OCS OCCURRENCE: Off Florida and Texas (Figure 29- 

 37); 24-180 m; medium to medium-fine sand, silty very fine sand, clayey 

 sandy silt. 



Genus Litocorsa Pearson, 1970 



TYPE SPECIES: Litocorsa stremma Pearson, 1970. 

 REFERENCES : 

 Pearson, 1970:69. 

 Katzmann e^ al. , 1974:12. 



DIAGNOSIS: Palps fused dorsally, with or without palpostyles. Antennae 

 present or absent. Two pairs of small tentacular cirri present. Noto- 

 setae acicular. Neuropodia with 1-2 stout e.nrrgent spines, and slender 

 serrate setae having fine tips. Pygidium smooth, with two smooth, 

 slender anal cirri. Body rounded in cross-secL Lon, with smooth integu- 

 ment. 



REMARKS: The above diagnosis is modified from that of Pearson (1970:69) 

 to include the species described herein, which has minute ante n.i u> md 

 palpostyles. Also, the pointed prostomium described by Pearson (1 C J7)) 

 and Katzmann et al. (1974) is here interpreted as palps that are fused 

 dorsally. 



29-39 



