November, 1999 
SCAMIT Newsletter 
Vol. 18, No.7 
Tony Phillips introduced a specimen of Bispira 
collected off Ventura at B’98 Station 2400. We 
stained the worm with methyl green and saw 
the W-shaped stain on the collar which is 
characteristic of specimens of Bispira. The 
specimen was compared to several provisional 
species erected by Kirk Fitzhugh and Leslie 
Harris (see SCAMIT Newsletter, Vol. 12, No. 3 
for descriptions of provisional species), but did 
not match any of them. The specimen had 
some characters of Bispira sp 2 and some 
characters of Bispira sp 4. It was decided to 
leave the identification of the specimen at 
Bispira sp. 
The next worms up for examination and 
discussion were specimens of Pholoe brought 
by Ron Velarde. He had found these in 
Channel Island samples as well as ITP 
(International Treatment Plant) samples. They 
differed from our common P. glabra in having 
about 50 segments (P. glabra has about 30 
segments) and having a long facial tubercle 
which was quite obvious (P. glabra has a short 
facial tubercle). Tony Phillips remembered 
that he had seen specimens like these in Santa 
Monica Bay. If anyone encounters one of these 
Pholoe , please bring it to a SCAMIT meeting 
and give it to Ron. We compared Ron’s 
specimens to Pholoe courtneyae Blake, new 
species, described in the MMS Atlas. P. 
courtney ae was different though, in that it had 
no eyes, as well as other differing characters. 
The last polychaete we looked at that afternoon 
was an Eteone pigmentata brought in by Ron. 
It was collected from Santa Rosa Island 
(Station 2492) at a depth of 71 meters. 
Secretary Megan Lilly has been enjoying the 
assistance of others in minutes-taking during 
the polychaete focussed meetings. Normally 
this has been done by Kathy Langan-Cranford. 
Recently she was unable to attend several 
meetings, and would like to thank Cheryl 
Brantley and Dot Norris for taking the meeting 
minutes in her absence. Cheryl took the 
minutes for the June 21 st meeting, and Dot lent 
her hand for the September 27 th meeting. The 
entire membership should echo these thanks 
and extend them to Kathy and Megan as well, 
for keeping good track (and minutes) of the 
often chaotic proceedings at the meetings. 
Since so few of the members can actually 
attend these gatherings it is important to make 
the content of the discussions and the 
resolution of problems addressed, available via 
the newsletter to members not in attendance 
and any others who find us on the web. 
15 NOVEMBER MEETING MINUTES 
The first order of the day was to present Don 
Cadien with a gift from the taxonomists of the 
City of San Diego Marine Lab. Over the years 
Don has been an untiring friend and mentor 
and in gratitude we purchased as a gift for Don, 
A Field Guide to Marine Molluscs of 
Galapagos. It is a special edition as the inside 
cover is personally signed by all of us. Thanks 
again Don for all that you do, not only for 
those of us here at CSD but also for SCAMIT! 
- M. Lilly, Secretary. [My thanks to all 
concerned, especially for the thoughts 
expressed inside the cover - D. Cadien, Editor] 
Kelvin Barwick (CSDMWWD) made a request 
for reconsideration of the Newsletter format. 
He finds the Newsletter’s two column format is 
difficult to read on a computer screen and that 
a single column format would be easier, at least 
for this use. However, it was felt by many that 
most members download the Newsletter and 
print it for reading and for archiving. We feel 
that the two column format is more attractive 
and practical for the paper version. So, we will 
potentially be seeking the opinion of the 
electronic subscribers as to which format they 
would prefer. Regardless of the outcome, the 
original paper version of the Newsletter will 
remain in two column format. However, the 
version that is posted on the web may have a 
new look soon if that’s what the members 
request. 
13 
