scattered. Prostomium rectangular, with four generally small, lentiger- 

 ous, nearly contiguous eyes in rectangular arrangement, often partly to 

 completely covered by peristomial fold. Antennae onion-shaped; median 

 antenna inserted between eyes or at edge of peristomial fold; lateral 

 antennae arising near anterior edge of prostomium (Figure 30-20a). 

 Palps short, fused dorsally, often directed ventrally. Tentacular and 

 dorsal cirri onion-shaped, smaller than antennae. Dorsal cirri small, 

 shorter than parapodia, absent from setiger 2. Ventral cirri digiti- 

 form, shorter than parapodia. Pygidium with two onion-shaped or subu- 

 late anal cirri, about same size as antennae. Parapodial glands large, 

 filled with rods, present from setiger 4 or 5 to posterior end of body. 

 Superior simple seta with curved tip and few lateral serrations (Figure 

 30-20b), present on all setigers. Superior composite falcigers with 

 short, unidentate blades having few coarse serrations; medial and infe- 

 rior falcigers with smooth blades (Figure 30-20c). Ankylose setae 

 (Figure 30-20d) replacing composite falcigers starting on setigers 7-8. 

 Inferior simple seta slender, smooth, pointed (Figure 30-20e), present 

 on posterior setigers. Acicula solitary, stout, with bent tips (Figure 

 30-20f). Pharynx extending to setiger 3. Proventricle usually located 

 from setigers 3-4, with about 12-13 ill-defined rows of muscle cells. 

 Gametes present from setigers 6-8 to 15-18; natatory setae beginning on 

 setigers 7-8. 



REMARKS: S. aciculata was previously identified as S. hystrix in BLM- 

 OCS collections. 



PREVIOUSLY REPORTED HABITAT: To 11 m; coarse to very fine sand. 

 GULF OF MEXICO BLM-OCS OCCURRENCE: Widespread in northeastern Gulf 

 (Figure 30-19); 10-168 m; coarse to fine sand, silty fine to very fine 

 sand, clayey sandy silt. 

 DISTRIBUTION: Florida, Gulf of Mexico. 



Sphaerosyllis taylori Perkins, 1981 

 Figures 30-21, 22a-f 



Sphaerosyllis taylori Perkins, 1981:1140, fig. 26a-k. 



MATERIAL EXAMINED: 

 Gulf of Mexico BLM-OCS: 



SOFLA 12A-11/80 (1 spec, USNM 75301), 28-11/80 (1 spec); MAFLA 2424C- 

 7/76 (1 spec). 

 Supplementary Material: 



Florida — Hutchinson Island, St. Lucie County, T. Perkins ID., FSBC I 

 23628 (2 paratypes), 23639 (3 paratypes), 23642 (1 paratype). 

 DESCRIPTION: 



Length, 2.6 mm (previously reported to 2.4 mm); width, 0.4 mm (previous- 

 ly reported to 0.2 mm without parapodia). Body short, relatively broad, 

 complete specimens with up to 23 setigers. Papillae short, scattered. 

 Prostomium rectangular, with four lentigerous eyes in rectangular ar- 

 rangement (Figure 30-22a). Antennae of paratypes onion-shaped, longer 

 than prostomium. Palps rounded, fused dorsally, about twice as long as 

 prostomium. Tentacular and dorsal cirri onion-shaped. Dorsal cirri 

 slightly longer than parapodia, absent from setiger 2. Ventral cirri 

 digitiform, shorter than parapodia. Anal cirri paired, similar to 

 dorsal cirri and 1.5 times larger. Parapodial glands containing rods, 

 present from setiger 4 or 5 to last setiger. Superior simple seta 



30-29 



