January, 2000 
SCAMIT Newsletter 
Vol. 18, No. 9 
description of the terebellid parasites I would 
be fairly confident that they are copepods, 
either of the family Xenocoelomidae or of the 
family Melinnacheridae. 
‘The Xenocoelomidae has 2 genera (see 
Bresciani & Lutzen, 1966) and I have collected 
both in UK waters: the first contains a single 
species Aphanodomus terebellae which is 
endoparasitic in various terebellids, Thelepus 
being a favourite host. Only a pair of ovisacs 
protrude from the host. 
‘The second genus Xenocoeloma has 2 very 
similar species X. alleni, and X. brumpti which 
are ectoparasites of Polycirrus species. They 
are oval, about l-2mm long and devoid of any 
appendages except a pair of ovisacs when 
mature. 
‘The Melinnacheridae has 4 described species 
- Melinnacheres terebellidis and M. steenstrupi 
both occur on Terebellides stroemi (attached to 
the body or the gills respectively) while M. 
ergasiloides lives on Melinna cristata attached 
to the posterior thoracic segments. (The fourth 
species is from a deep water terebellid off 
Mexico) Descriptions of the Terebellides 
parasites are available in Bresciani, 1961. I 
have material of both from the North Sea and 
the west coast of Scotland. I have not seen M. 
ergasiloides though a good description and 
figure appear in Bresciani & Lutzen, 1975. 
“Without seeing your specimen or knowing its 
host identity I could not be sure where it might 
fit in. These families remain poorly known and 
it is possible that you may have a new species 
or genus. I have several new taxa already in 
my collection including a bizarre ecto/ 
endoparasite of Jasmineira . I would be happy 
to examine your parasite if you wish and would 
be interested to hear about any other copepod 
parasites you may have come across on 
invertebrates.” 
Myles O’Reilly 
HELP NEEDED 
A request has been forwarded through the 
CrustL list server for specimens to assist in a 
DNA investigation of crab relationships. It is 
reprinted here. 
“I am working on a molecular phylogenetics 
project testing various hypotheses about the 
relationships among crayfishes, clawed 
lobsters, (Astacidea) and mud and ghost 
shrimps (Thalassinidea). I would be most 
grateful if you could provide specimens from 
the infraorder Thalassinidea for DNA 
extraction, i.e., freshly collected specimens 
preserved in at least 95% EtOH and shipped 
directly to me. I would, of course, be happy to 
pay all shipping costs. Let me know if you can 
help with this project.” 
Dr. Keith A. Crandall 
574 Widtsoe Building 
Department of Zoology 
Brigham Young University 
Provo, UT 84602-5255 
email: keith_crandall@byu.edu 
phone: (801) 378-3495 
FAX: (801) 378-7423 
Homepage: http: //bioag .byu .edu/zoology/ 
crandall_lab/index .htm 
HELP WANTED 
Two recent job postings with NOAA may be of 
interest to members. The jobs are described in 
too much detail for inclusion here but both deal 
with policy and policy implementation in the 
National Marine Sanctuaries area. Both are 
based in Silver Springs MD., and offer 
interesting career possibilities. The closing date 
for application is 16 February in each case. The 
full descriptions can be found on the web at: 
http://www.usaiobs.opm.gov/wfiic/iobs/ 
B09922.HTM 
http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/wfjic/jobs/ 
B09925.HTM 
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