. Aphrodite 

 Laetmatonice 



APHRODITIDAE 8i 



Family APHRODITIDAE 



Dorsal bristles smooth ... 

 Dorsal bristles harpoon-shaped ... 



Genus Aphrodite, Linnaeus 



A thick dorsal felting covers the elytra. Dorsal bristles of two kinds: (i) protective 

 spines usually projecting through the dorsal felting, (2) very long and slender bristles. 

 Ventral bristles stout and with slightly curved tips. They are arranged in three tiers. 

 Eyes, when present, sessile. 



Dorsal bristles stout, needle-like, projecting above the dorsal felting. Median tentacle very long 



Aphrodite longirostris 

 Dorsal bristles slender, not projecting above the dorsal felting. Median tentacle short 



Aphrodite talpa 



Aphrodite longirostris, Kinberg (Fig. 2 a, h). 

 Kinberg, 1857, p. 4, pi. i, fig. 3 b-h. 

 Occurrence. St. WS 798 (2). 



Description. This species has been elaborately figured by Kinberg, who neverthe- 

 less fails to convey its characteristic appearance. The palisade of long dark brown 



I MM 



Fig. 2. Aphrodite longirostris. 

 a. Dorsal view. b. Lower pinnate bristle, second foot. 



needle-like spines (Fig. 2 a) projecting upwards and backwards through the dorsal 

 f eking but not meeting across the back, is unlike that of any other Aphrodite that I have 

 seen. The dorsal spines and the ventral bristles are dark brown and the dorsal felting 

 is greenish grey. The dorsal capillary bristles are covered with mud, but when freed 

 from this show a slight iridescence. The larger specimen measures 75 mm. by 31 mm. 

 at the widest part for about 35 chaetigers. The shape of the body is like that of an 



