Polycirrus californicus Moore, 1909

Fig. 13a–f

Polycirrus californicus Moore, 1909: 276–277, pl. 9, figs 52, 53.

Type locality. California, USA .

Material examined. HOLOTYPE: CAS 005272. USA, California, San Diego, 32˚41.05′ N, 117˚10.43′ W, coll. E.C. Starks, xii.1902.

Description. Holotype well preserved with body wall and chaetae mainly intact, pale yellow in colour, 20 mm long and 1.2 mm wide excluding buccal tentacles, complete with about 65 segments. Sex female.

Dorsum anteriorly tesellated. Venter anteriorly with mid-ventral groove and discrete ventro-lateral pads; pads more-or-less smooth, extending from segment 4 to 11. Mid-ventral groove from segment 4 (Fig. 13a).

Buccal tentacles numerous, of one type, some shorter than others, cylindrical, uniformly thin and weakly grooved, arising at junction between prostomium and upper lip. Prostomial ridge distinctly curved, extending laterally along anterodorsal base of upper lip. Upper lip prominent medial lobe with slight lateral expansions at base, margin of medial lobe convoluted; oral surface glandular, ciliated, with grooves leading to mouth. Inner lower lip oblong, raised, smooth; outer region flat, shield-like, subtriangular and pointing toward mouth, ridged and grooved, extending to posterior margin of segment 3. Achaetous segments visible dorsally but obscured by expanded outer lower lip ventrally (Fig. 13a).

Notochaetigerous segments 28, extending to segment 30. Notopodia more-or-less rectangular but distally tapering, prechaetal lobe low, postchaetal lobe digitiform, slightly longer than prechaetal (Fig. 13b). Notochaetae of one type (chaetigers 13, 19 examined), two distinct lengths, smooth, narrowly winged (wings finely striated), subdistally slightly expanded, posteriorly same form as those anteriorly (Fig. 13c–d). Neurochaetae beginning on segment 7. Neuropodial tori erect pinnules, slightly more erect posteriorly. Uncini with short neck and straight to convex base (Type 1), teeth above main fang arranged in double transverse series (MF:1:8–10), enlarged median tooth above main fang present, subrostral process present as low, rounded protuberance (Fig. 13e–f).

Nephridial papillae present, large, globular. Pre-gular membrane nephridial papillae absent. Post-gular membrane nephridial papillae present, extending from segment 5 to 10; situated at base of notopodia. Pygidium simple rosette.