Notopodial spines beginning on setiger 5, accompanied by slender ac Ion- 

 ium (Figure 29-34c). Neuropodia with about 15 serrate setae tapering to 

 fine tips, and two furcate setae having slender unequal tines, longer 

 one with minutely bifid tip (Figure 29-34d). 



REMARKS: The furcate setae of Synelmis sp. A are extremely difficult to 

 see among the numerous simple setae, but can be found by looking for the 

 bifid tip of the longer tine. The bifid tip, although minute, proved to 

 be a consistent character on the specimen examine. 1 herein. Synelmis sp. 

 A differs from other species of the genus in the shape of the furcate 

 setae. However, since only one specimen was available for examination, 

 conclusions based on this character could be misleading. 



GULF OF MEXICO BLM-OCS OCCURRENCE: One station off Florida (Figure 29- 

 33); 106 m; coarse sand. 



Synelmis sp. B 

 Figures 29-35, 36a-f 



Synelmis albini — Pettibone, 1966:191 [in part], fig. 21a-d. 



MATERIAL EXAMINED: 

 Gulf of Mexico BLM-OCS: 



MAFLA 2422C-6/76 (1 spec, USNM 86988), 2422D-6/76 (1 spec, USNM 

 86989). 

 DESCRIPTION: 



Length, 19.0+ mm; width, to 0.6 mm. Largest specimen incomplete with 46 

 setigers. Prostomium (Figure 29-36a) with three small digitiform anten- 

 nae, equal in length. Eyes minute, not visible dorsally. Palps with 

 small ventral palpostyles (Figure 29-36b). Dorsal and ventral tentacu- 

 lar cirri equal in length, about twice as long as antennae. Dorsal 

 cirri of anterior setigers broad basally (Figure 29-36c), becoming 

 longer and more filiform posteriorly (Figure 29-36d). Ventral cirri 

 present throughout, similar in length to dorsal cirri anteriorly (Figure 

 29-36b), becoming relatively shorter posteriorly (Figure 29-36d). Body 

 with smooth integument. Notopodial spines beginning about setiger 17, 

 accompanied by slender aciculum (Figure 29-36d). Anterior neuropodia 

 (Figure 29-36c) with slender serrate setae (Figure 29-36e) and 1-2 small 

 emergent spines. Posteriorly, neuropodial spines becoming larger, more 

 prominent, numbering two per parapodiura (Figure 29-36d). Pygidium (Fig- 

 ure 29-36f) with two anal cirri. 



REMARKS: Synelmis sp. B includes specimens from Old Tampa 3ay, Florida, 

 considered by Pettibone (1966:191, fig. 21a-d) (but not re-examined 

 herein) to be a form of ^. albini (Langerhans, 1381). Synelmis sp. B is 

 similar to S_. albini ; however, the species differ in that the former 

 possesses two stout emergent spines in the neuropodia, whereas the 

 latter lacks spines altogether. No other species of Synelmis have been 

 reported with stout neuropodial spines. 



GULF OF MEXICO BLM-OCS OCCURRENCE: Off Florida (Figure 29-35); 24 m; 

 medium-fine sand. 



^9-37 



