Paleanotus bellis (Johnson, 1897)

Figs 3, 12

Heteropale bellis Johnson, 1897: 107–172, Figs 25 –28.

Paleanotus bellis . — Hartman 1968: 187 (n. comb.).

Type locality: Monterey, California, United States, among tunicates, seaweed on pier piles (Johnson 1897) .

Material examined. Eight specimens. Baja California: ECOSUR-2118 , 3 spec. Ensenada, on rocks, December 15, 1982, coll. MA. Baja California Sur: ECOSUR-2115 Terminal Lagoon, Bahía Concepción, on sand, May 6, 1981, coll. HL; UMAR-Poly 962, El Caimancito Beach, August 13, 1987, coll. RBZ; UANL 6115 , RBueno, January 21, 1999, coll. ALG; ECOSUR-3070, 2 spec. La Marina, 24º09.319´N, 110º19.630´W, La Paz Bay, on pier piles, 0.5 m, 2 spec. in 250 cm 2, August 14, 2011, coll. TVG & ADL .

Description. Based on the best-preserved specimen (ECOSUR-3070): complete with 24 segments. TL= 1.7 mm, TW= 0.6 mm. Body short, broad, tapered posteriorly (Fig. 3A). Body pale yellow. Paleae fan translucent, slightly imbricated dorsally.

Prostomium visible among the first four segments. Lateral antennae short, inserted on antero-ventral prostomial margin, median antenna slightly shorter than lateral ones, inserted in front of the anterior eyes. Eyes red-violet, two pairs. Nuchal organ small, oblong, partially covering the prostomium (Fig. 3B). Palps short, oval, visible in ventral view. Mouth fold wide, placed between segment 3 and 4. Pharynx muscular eversible, not exposed, stylets slender.

Parapodium from segment 15, notochaetae in three main groups (Fig. 3E). Notochaetae: lateral group inserted below notaciculum, 1–2 paleae, slender and symmetrical, with 6–7 internal ribs (Fig. 3F); subunit 1, 1 palea, slender, shorter and symmetrical, with 7 internal ribs (Fig. 3G). Main group, 9–11 paleae, broad, curved and asymmetrical, with (17) 18–19 (21) internal ribs and 3 finely raised ribs (Fig. 3H). Median group, 3–4 paleae, shorter, curved and asymmetrical, with 10–12 internal ribs and 3–4 raised ribs (Fig. 3I). All paleae groups are covered with fine denticles over each internal rib.

Neuropodium conical, larger than notopodium. Neurochaetae: unit 1, 1–3 superior spinigers, blades straight and long, 4–5 times longer than wide (Fig. 3J). Unit 2, 4–5 falcigers, blades straight and medium-sized, 3 times longer than wide (Fig. 3K). Unit 3, 5–6 falcigers, blades straight and short, 2 times longer than wide (Fig. 3L). Unit 4, 4 falcigers, blades straight and short, 2 times longer than wide (Fig. 3M). Pygidium quadrate, with two anal cirri (Fig. 3C). Oocyte size: 47.9–59.5 µm (n=3) (Fig. 3D).

Habitat. Intertidal to subtidal (0.5– 8 m). Specimens of P. bellis were collected on sand, rocks, pier piles, and as epibionts of fouling community. Specimens of this species have been previously recorded on seaweed and among tunicates attached to pier piles (Johnson 1897).

Distribution. From Monterey, California to La Paz, Baja California Sur (Fig. 12).

Remarks. Examined specimens agree with the original description of P. bellis by Johnson (1897). This species was previously recorded from the southern Mexican Pacific (Cruz-Gómez & Bastida-Zavala 2018); however, this record was mistaken and is now emended through the recognition of a new species described below.