A new species of Malacoceros (Polychaeta: Spionidae) from Kick'em Jenny, a hydrothermally active submarine volcano in the Lesser Antilles Arc

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

8-1-2008

Abstract

A new spionid polychaete, Malacoceros jennicus, is described from the crater of a hydrothermally active submarine volcano near Grenada in the Caribbean, Lesser Antilles Arc region. The new species is characterized by having prominent lateral frontal horns on the prostomium, paired eye spots, neurosetae that include simple capillaries, inferior sabre setae, numerous bidentate hooded hooks, and a pygidium bearing four digitiform anal cirri surrounding the anus. Worms were collected in regions of diffuse venting with a suction sampler deployed on an ROV. Specimens representing a range of sizes including sexually mature and reproductive individuals containing eggs and sperm were found. Stable isotope analysis of 13C and 15N indicate mixed feeding on photosynthetic and hydrothermal vent source material. Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2008.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

Volume

88

Issue

5

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