112 ALLAN HANCOCK PACIFIC EXPEDITIONS VOL.15 



This species is separable from N. paradoxa (above) for only slight 

 differences; if they are found to be identical, N. paradoxa Malm has 

 priority. 



Distribution. — N. phyllobranchia has been reported only from deep 

 water (1240 fms) off New York and off Delaware in 1105 fms. 



Nephtys assignis, new species 

 Plate 14, figs. 1-6 



Collections.— 890-38 (1); 1220-42 (2); 1237-41 (2); 1379-41 

 (2); 1384-41 (1). 



This species grossly resembles N. hombergi Audouin and Edwards 

 (above) in having broad, foliaceous postsetal lobes, but it differs in other 

 respects. A large anterior end of 45 segments measures nearly 60 mm 

 long and 10 mm wide without parapodia at segment 23. The prostomium 

 is subquadrangular in shape and lacks eyespots (fig. 2). The 2 pairs of 

 antennae are simple, cirriform, with the ventral pair the larger. Nuchal 

 organs are eversible mounds located within the bases of the first pair 

 of parapodia, at the postectal margins of the prostomium. 



The proboscis has 22 rows of papillae; those distal are bifid as are 

 those of other species, with the outer branch more than twice as large as 

 the inner one. The subdistal papillae number 4 or 5 in a row; the 

 largest ones are distal and they decrease in size proximally. None is 

 distinctly middorsal or midventral (fig. 1). The proximal surface of 

 the proboscis is smooth. 



Interramal cirri are present from the sixth segment but are short 

 and thick through 12 to 15 or 20 segments (later in larger individuals) 

 after which they are moderately large; all are recurved and cirriform. 

 They are continued back to near the end of the body; the last few 

 segments lack them. 



The first parapodium is clearly biramous with the branches widely 

 separated; it differs from the second and successive parapodia in that 

 it is directed forward at the sides of the prostomium. Its notopodium 

 is much larger than its neuropodium, and it has a thick, prolonged 

 conical notopodial cirrus, similar to that of the second segment but 

 longer. The notopodial postsetal lobe is visible as a low papillae just 

 above the acicular tip. Preacicular barred setae are conspicuous, number 

 25 or more and are arranged in a crescentic series, partially surrounding 

 the moundlike acicular lobe. The much shorter, inconspicuous post- 

 acicular series of lanceolate setae is continuous to form a shallow con- 

 cavity at the posterior edge of the acicular lobe. The preacicular setae 



