with possible adhesive glands, represent evolutionary adaptations for 



attachment to a host in a commensal relationship. 



PREVIOUSLY REPORTED HABITAT: Intertidal to 6 m; sand with gravel and 



shell fragments; on Sipunculus nudus. 



GULF OF MEXICO BLM-OCS OCCURRENCE: Several stations off northwestern 



Florida (Figure 28-7); 27-75 m; medium sand, silty fine sand. 



DISTRIBUTION: North Carolina, Gulf of Mexico. 



Microphthalmos sp. C 



Figures 28-9, lOa-e 



MATERIAL EXAMINED: 



Gulf of Mexico BLM-OCS: 



MAFLA 2531H-11/77 (1 spec), 2531E-2/78 (1 spec). 



DESCRIPTION: 



Length, 1.8+ mm; width, 0.3 mm. Body minute, slender, with diffuse 



golden-brown pigmentation; both specimens incomplete with up to 21 



setigers. Prostomium oval with median antenna arising near posterior 



border (Figure 28-10a). Antennae and palps similar in length. Eyes 



absent. Nuchal organs as small, rounded lobes at postectal margins of 



prostomium. Tentacular cirri filiform, dorsal ones longer than ventral 



ones; tentacular segments distinct dorsally. Parapodia subbiramous 



(Figure 28-10b); notopodia small, with single, minute, obscure pectinate 



seta (Figure 28-10c). Dorsal cirri filiform, extending beyond tips of 



neurosetae. Neuropodia elongate, with prolonged, digitiform acicular 



lobe. Ventral cirri filiform, usually about half length of dorsal 



cirri. Neurosetae all composite with long extension of shaft-head 



bifid; blades short (Figure 28-10d) to long (Figure 28-10e), faintly 



serrate, minutely bidentate; blade-length ratio up to 6:1. Most setal 



blades broken or missing. Pharynx extending to setigers 1-2. 



REMARKS: Lack of posterior ends makes placement of these specimens 



difficult. They appear most similar to Microphthalmus sczelkowii 



Mecznikow, 1865, from which they differ in lacking distinct dark pigment 



bands anteriorly, and in having longer dorsal cirri. 



GULF OF MEXICO BLM-OCS OCCURRENCE: Single station off northwestern 



Florida (Figure 28-9); 45 m; coarse sand. 



Genus Heteropodarke Hartmann-Schrbder, 1962 



TYPE SPECIES: Heteropodarke heteromorpha Hartmann-Schrbder, 1962. 

 REFERENCES: 



Hartmann-Schrbder, 1962:117. 

 Fauchald, 1977a:76. 

 Dorsey, 1978:82. 



DIAGNOSIS: Prostomium with four eyes, three antennae, and simple palps. 

 Six pairs of tentacular cirri (but see "REMARKS" below). Parapodia 

 subbiramous, notosetae absent. Pharynx with papillose margin, jaws 

 absent. 



REMARKS: The number of tentacular cirri has been reported to be size- 

 related, varying from 2-8 pairs. Most Gulf of Mexico specimens examined 

 have six pairs regardless o£ body size; a few individuals questionably 

 have four or five pairs. 



28-13 



