Table Of ContentPROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
113(2):493-499. 2000.
Aphrodita bisetosa (Polychaeta: Aphroditidae), a new species of sea
mouse from the southeastern Pacific Ocean off central Chile
Nicolas Rozbaczylo and Elba Canahuire
(NR) Departamento de Ecologia, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, P. Universidad Catolica de
Chile, Casilla 1 14-D, Santiago, Chile, e-mail: [email protected];
(EC) Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru;
presently: Programa de Magister en Ciencias mencion Zoologia, Escuela de Graduados,
Universidad de Concepcion
—
Abstract. A new species of Aphroditidae, Aphrodita bisetosa from the
southeastern Pacific Ocean off central Chile, is described. Specimens were
collected in soft bottoms, 27-37 km from the coast line in front of Los Vilos
m
(31°56'S) and Papudo (32°31'S), at 250-400 depth. The new species was
compared with A. magellanica Malard, 1891 from the Magellan area, Chile
and A. alta Kinberg, 1855 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the Antarctic region,
with which it appears to be more closely related.
Aphroditids are commonly named "sea thor for study; after examination, they were
mice," because of the thick mat of very fine considered as belonging to a new species.
notopodial fibers which form a felt-like
covering over the dorsum, giving them a
Materials and Methods
furry appearance. Although they are rather
large and conspicuous inhabitants ofmarine
Specimens were collected by the shrimp-
soft muddy bottoms, they are frequently ab-
ing boat Goden Wind, as part of a benthic
sent from most collections because of the
survey obtained 27-37 km from the coast
great depths at which they usually live, and
between Los Vilos and Papudo, in October
in general they have been poorly studied.
1976. At 2 of 5 stations sampled, specimens
The most recent and comprehensive study
of aphroditids was by Hutchings & McRae of aphroditids were found in sandy-mud
(1993) on species found in Australian wa- bottom (Fig. 1). Additional information on
the accompanying macrofauna collected
ters and the Indonesian Archipelago.
There is almost no information about during the trawls can be found in Andrade
aphroditids of the southeastern Pacific (1986).
4%
Ocean along the Chilean coast. Only one Polychaetes were fixed in formalin
species, Aphrodita magellanica Malard, and preserved in 70% ethanol. Figures were
1891, has been previously recorded from prepared with a drawing tube on a Wild M-
the Magellan area (49°S) south to Cape 5 stereoscopic microscope and a Leitz com-
Horn (56°S) in southern Chile (Rozbaczylo pound microscope.
1985); the specimens, had been collected Type specimens of the new species are
during the Challenger Expedition (1873- deposited in the National Museum of Nat-
1876), and identified by Mcintosh (1885) as ural History, Smithsonian Institution,
Aphrodita echidna Quatrefages. Washington, D.C. (USNM), and the Sala de
Four specimens of aphroditids collected Sistematica, Departamento de Ecologia,
by commercial shrimp trawlers at two sites Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile,
off central Chile were given to the first au- Santiago (SSUC).
494 PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Aphrodita bisetosa, new species erally, respectively; following elytra wider
Figs. 1-3 than long; last three pairs noticeably longer
— than wide; last pair smaller.
Material examined. Central Chile: in Dorsal tubercles from segment 6 to 30
front of Los Vilos, St. 1, ca. 31°56'S, provided with branched fimbriated papillae
71°49'W, 300-400 m, H. Andrade, coll., 14 on posterolateral margins (Fig. 3d).
(USNM
Oct 1976, holotype 186512) and First setiger or tentacular segment with
female paratype (SSUC 6868); in front of elongated, uniramous parapodia, flattened,
Papudo, St. 3, ca. 32°31'S, 71°47'W, 250- projecting anteriorly and laterally to prosto-
280 m, H. Andrade, coll., 14 Oct 1976, par- mium (Fig. 2b), with one tuft of fine silky
USNM
atype (N° 2 186513) and female fibers emerging dorsally forming the dorsal
paratype (SSUC—6869). felt, and 3 fascicles of fine, faintly irides-
Description. Holotype. Body ovate, cent, mud-covered capillary setae; one tuft
arched dorsally, widest at setigers 14-16, supra-acicular and two others sub-acicular;
with tapering caudal region (Fig. 2a); 27 with few scattered papillae covering para-
mm mm
long, 16 wide, excluding setae, podium (Fig. 2b). Parapodial dorsal and
with 41 setigers. Dorsum with thick felt, ap- ventral cirri with cylindrical cirrophores
mm
proximately 1.5 thick at middle region and subulate styles. Dorsal cirri approxi-
of body, with fine sediment entrapped giv- mately one-third length of palps. Ventral
ing it greyish appearance. Ventral surface of cirri slightly shorter than dorsal.
body whitish, covered with minute spheri- Following setigers with biramous para-
cal papillae (Fig. 2d). podia. Second setiger with first pair of el-
Prostomium small, rounded with pair of ytra. Notopodia rectangular, with one tuft of
ocular areas, pale to light brown in color, fine silky fibers forming dorsal felt, 2 supra-
located on slightly raised prominences (Fig. acicular fascicles of stout acicular setae,
2b). Median antenna with basal ceratophore with hooked tips, similar in shape and dis-
and elongated style, slightly shorter than tribution to that ofparapodium 3, and a sub-
prostomium, attached dorsally, near anterior acicular fascicle with capillary notosetae
border of prostomium. Palps biarticulate, forming lateral fringe, and on posterior sur-
finely papillated, wide basally, tapering face of notopodia at level of acicula, a small
gradually, extending approximately to sixth tuft of fine silky fibers forming dorsal felt.
setiger. Facial tubercle minutely papillated, Neuropodia cylindrical, covered with spher-
approximately half of length of prostomi- ical papillae; tip of acicula emerging at dis-
um, partly hidden by palps dorsally and ex- tal end of neuropodial lobe. Neurosetae,
tending ventrally as digitiform process over brown, arranged in 3 tiers: upper consisting
mouth (Fig. 2b, c). of 2-3 acicular setae, middle 1-2 acicular
Elytra (Fig. 2e, f) 15 pairs, completely setae, and lower of numerous capillary se-
hidden by dorsal feltage, on setigers 2, 4, tae (Fig. 31), slender bipinnate and spirally
5, 7, 9, 25, 28, 31, imbricate, complete- twisted, with two rows of thick teeth that
. . .
ly covering dorsum, semi-transparent; continue in subdistal region as fine spines,
smooth except for few scattered microscop- and with distal end smooth. Ventral cirri su-
ic digitiform papillae (Fig. 2g), mostly con- bulate, located near base of neuropodium,
centrated on inner lateral area of upper sur- about one and one-half length of neuropo-
face and less on posterior area of elytra. dia (Fig. 2d).
First pair of elytra smallest, gradually in- Third setiger similar to second, but with
creasing in size to approximately pair 7-9, dorsal cirri instead of elytra. Dorsal cirri
then decreasing posteriorly. First and sec- long, subulate, approximately 3-4 times
ond pair of elytra ovate, longer than wide, length of ventral cirri.
with elytrophores attached centrally and lat- Parapodia of middle region of body (Fig.
VOLUME 113, NUMBER 2 495
72( 71°
N
*St.1 LOS VI LOS
-32° 32°-
<
HI
O
O
O
UJ
PAPUDO
LL *St.3
o
X
<
o
Q.
33-
VALPARAISO
72< 71'
Fig. 1. Map showing the stations (*) where specimens of Aphrodita bisetosa, new species, were found.
3a, b) with notopodial lobe large, nearly tri- hooked ends (Fig. 3i); arranged in three
angular, with dorsal cirri with cirrophores main groups on cirrigerous segments, one
large, basally bulbous, projecting on pos- above and one below upper fascicle of su-
terior faces of notopodia; styles subulate, pra-acicular notosetae, and third one on
long, slender, smooth, directed dorsally; posterior surface of notopodia at level of
dorsal cirri approximately 3-4 times longer acicula; on elytrigerous segments appearing
than ventral cirri; notoacicula stout, light in two main groups, one between upper and
brown, emerging at vertex of distal end of lower fascicle of long supra-acicular noto-
notopodial lobe. setae, and one on posterior surface of no-
Notopodia with tufts of fine silky fibers topodia at level of acicula. Three fascicles
emerging dorsally forming dorsal felt, with of notosetae present, one sub-acicular and
496 PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
Fig. 2. Aphrodita bisetosa, new species (Holotype USNM 186512). a, dorsal view, whole animal; b, dorsal
view of prostomium and first segment, with first pair of elytra omitted (right palp and dorsal parapodial cirri
missing); c, facial tubercle (Paratype SSUC 6869), antero-lateral view; d, anterior end (Paratype SSUC 6869),
USNM
ventral view; e, anterior end (Paratype 186513), dorsal view, with proboscis everted and feltage set
aside, showing first three pairs of elytra, style of median antenna missing; f, ninth left elytron, inner surface
(Paratype USNM 186513); g, papillae from ninth elytron; h, posterior segments around the anus (Paratype SSUC
6869), dorsal view. Scales = 10 mm for a; 5 mm for d, e, f; 1 mm for b, h; 0.05 mm for g.
VOLUME 113, NUMBER 2 497
Fig. 3. Aphrodita bisetosa, new species, a, parapodium 14 (Paratype SSUC 6868), in anterior view (tufts of
silky fibers are shown cut off); b, same parapodium in posterior view (f. p. = fimbriated papilla; s. p. = segmental
papilla); c, conical papillae from notopodium of same parapodium; d, fimbriated papillae (Paratype SSUC 6869),
from segments 6, 8, 10, and 12, respectively; e, capillary notoseta from parapodium 14; f, g, acicular notosetae
of stout type, with hooked tips, from parapodium 14; h, acicular notoseta of stouter type, with straight tip, from
parapodium 18; i, fine silky fiber, from parapodium 20; j, acicular neuroseta, with heavily bearded end, from
lower tier, parapodium 22; k, acicular neuroseta, partially bearded, from lower tier, parapodium 14; 1, capillary
bipinnate neuroseta, spirally twisted, from lower tier, parapodium 2; m, capillary, partially bipinnate neuroseta,
from lower tier, parapodium 29. Scales = 5 mm for a, b, j; 1 mm for d, h; 0.5 mm for c; 0.01 mm for k, 1, m;
mm
0.005 for e, f, g, i.
498 PROCEEDINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON
two supra-acicular. Sub-acicular fascicle region of body (setiger 25). Upper group
made up of numerous iridescent capillary with stoutest and longest setae; lowest most
setae (Fig. 3e), extending laterally, with dis- slender and shortest. Neuroacicula, stout,
tal end straight and pointed; most covered light brown, emerging through upper lobe.
with fine silky fibers and fine mud resem- Ventral neurosetae of posterior region of
bling cotton in appearance. Two suprao- body, capillaries, with two rows of teeth
cular fascicles made up of 2 kinds of acic- subdistally (Fig. 3m), and distal region
ular setae emerging through dorsal feltage: smooth with tips from slightly curved to
many stout acicular setae with hooked tips straight. Neurosetae of more posterior setig-
(Fig. 3f, g) and 1-2 stouter acicular setae ers all capillaries.
with straight tips (Fig. 3h), short, conical, Anus (Fig. 2h) located dorsally, anterior
dark brown to blackish, spine-like, extend- to 2 small se—gments. Without anal cirri.
ing dorso-posteriorly (tips may be broken Variation. Additional material exam-
mm
off), with fine silky fibers at base. In upper ined ranges from 47-80 long, 20-35
mm
fascicle, stout protective notosetae present wide, excluding setae, with 42 setigers.
(Fig. 2a), long, brown-colored basally and Body varies from ovate to elongated in
shiny golden light brown color distally, ta- largest specimens. Fascial tubercle extends
pering gradually, with flexible hooked tips ventrally as digitiform process over mouth
(may be broken off), sometimes partially in all except one specimen (paratype SSUC
covered with fine silky fibers. In lower fas- 6868). Only one specimen with everted
cicle, stout protective notosetae short with, proboscis (Fig. 2e) with opening surround-
distal region having fine silky fibers and ed by numerous, leaflike, dichotomously
covered with fine mud presenting finger- branched papillae; chitinous jaws lacking.
like appearance, peppered with ferruginous Elytra in largest specimens are light brown
color. to cream in color; irregularly stained fer-
Notopodia covered with two kinds of pa- rugineous to olive in colour on inner sur-
pillae: globular, small, few, scattered on su- face (Fig. 2f). Holotype without segmental
bacicular area near distal margin of noto- papillae, but present in largest specimens as
podial lobe, and conical (Fig. 3c), larger small knobs on posterior faces of parapodia
and more abundant, scattered on basal area between rami, on segment 14, and subse-
of notopodial lobe. quent setigers (Fig. 3b).
Neuropodia (Fig. 3b), cylindrical, ending In paratypes neurosetae varied as fol-
distally in three step-like lobes, covered lows: 2 setae in upper, 2-3 in middle and
with minute spherical papillae. Ventral cirri 3-6 in lower tier in anterior parapodium
small, subulate, located in middle region of (setiger 4), 2-3 in upper, 3-5 in middle and
neuropodia, approximately one-third the 10-12 in lower tier in middle parapodium
length of dorsal cirri. (setiger 15), and 2-3 in upper, 3-4 in mid-
Neurosetae stiff, stout, dark brown, dle and 7-11 in lower tier in parapodium
slightly curved distally, with heavily beard- of posterior region of body (setiger 25).
—
ed ends (Fig. 3j), which can be broken; Etymology. The species name bisetosa
pointed subdistal tip visible through beard, is derived from Latin Z^-meaning double,
exposed when the distal tip of beard ends and setosa meaning with bristles, because
lost (Fig. 3k). Neurosetae arranged in three of the presence of two kinds of notosetae
tiers with 2 setae in upper, 2 in middle and which emerge through the dorsal feltage.
—
4-6 in lower tier in anterior parapodium Distribution. The species has been
(setiger 4), 2 in upper, 3-4 in middle and found at two sites off Central Chile: between
5-9 in lower tier in middle parapodium (se- 27 and 37 km off the coast in front of Los
m
tiger 15), and 2 in upper, 2 in middle and Vilos, 300-400 and in front of Papudo,
m
7 in lower tier in parapodium of posterior 250-280 depth, in sandy-mud bottoms.
VOLUME 113, NUMBER 2 499
—
Remarks. The new species Aphrodita heavily bearded ends and in both species
bisetosa is characterized by two kinds of the proboscis bears leaflike papillae sur-
acicular setae emerging through dorsal fel- rounding the opening. A. bisetosa differs
tage: numerous stout setae with hooked from A. alta by the following characteristics
tips, and some stouter, short, dark brown, present in the latter species: only one type
spine-like setae, with straight tips, forming of protective notosetae that do not project
two distinct rows of protective notosetae through the felting, only one type of orna-
along each side of body. The acicular no- mentation in capillary neurosetae of second
tosetae appear in two fan-shaped fascicles setiger; without segmental papillae and pro-
of different length: an upper fascicle oflong boscis with jaws.
setae, shiny golden brown-colored distally,
extending dorsomedially, nearly touching Acknowledgments
medially, and a lower fascicle of short setae We are greatly indebted to Dr. Hector An-
extending backwards, bearing a mud cover,
drade who kindly made specimens available
peppered with ferruginous colour, present- We
for study. are specially grateful to Mrs.
ing finger-like appearance.
Clara Yanez for her skill and patience in pro-
Aphrodita bisetosa appears to be most
ducing the excellent illustrations of the new
closely related to A. magellanica Malard,
species. Two anonymous referees are thanked
1891, from the Magellan area and to A. alta
for their helpful comments and suggestions
Kinberg, 1855 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
that greatly improved the manuscript.
and the Antarctic region. A. magellanica is
the most similar to A. bisetosa n. sp. Both
Literature Cited
species have two rows of acicular notosetae
along each lateral region of the body that Andrade, H. 1986. Observaciones bioecologicas sobre
are short, brown, and spine-like with invertebrados demersales de la zona Central de
straight tips emerging through the dorsal Chile. Pp. 41-56 en La Pesca en Chile. P. Ar-
ana, ed., Escuela de Ciencias del Mar, Univer-
feltage. Both species have similar neurose-
sidad Catolica de Valparaiso.
tae of the acicular type, brown, with beard- Hutchings, P., & J. McRae. 1993. The Aphroditidae
ed ends (which can be broken), and in both (Polychaeta) from Australia, together with a re-
species the dorsal felt is formed of very fine description ofthe Aphro—ditidae collected during
silky fibers with hooked tips; the lateral re- the Siboga Expedition. Records ofthe Austra-
lian Museum 45(3):279-363.
gions are of ferruginous color. A. bisetosa
Kinberg, J. G.—H. 1855. Nya slagten och arter af An-
differs from A. magellanica by having two nelider. Ofversigt af Kongliga Vetenskaps-
kinds of protective notosetae; its spine like Akademiens Forhandlingar (Stockholm) 12:
acicular notosetae are conical toward the 381-388.
tip, 1-2 of these notosetae are present in Malard, A. E. 1891. Sur une nouvelle aphrodite du Cap
each supraocular tuft; ventral cirri of para- Horn, decrite a tort par M.—Mcintosh comme A.
echidna (De Quatrefages). Bulletin de la So-
podia lack papillae; and the body has 41- ciete Philomathique de Paris Sen 8, 3:125-127.
42 setigers. In A. magellanica, in contrast, Mcintosh, W. C. 1885. Report on the Annelida Poly-
has only one kind of protective notosetae. chaeta colleted by H.M.S. Challenger during
The spine like notosetae are flattened to- the years 1873-1876. In Report on the Scientific
Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger
ward the tip, 2-3 of these notosetae can be during the years 1873-1876 under the Com-
present in each supracicular tuft; ventral cir- mand of Captain George S. Nares, R.N., F.R.S.
ri of parapodia possess numerous papillae and the Late Captain Frank Tourle Thomson,
and the body has about 35 segments. R.N., Zoology, 12(34):1-554, pis. 1-55, and
Aphrodita bisetosa resembles A. alta in la-39a.
Rozbaczylo, N. 1985. Los Anelidos Poliquetos de
that the protective notosetae end in a hook,
Chile. Indice sinonimico y distribucion geo-
—
the acicular neurosetae of the middle region grafica de especies. Monograffas Biologicas
of the body are slightly curved and have 3:1-284.
