Aspidosiphon (Aspidosiphon) muelleri Diesing

Hsueh, Pan-Wen & Kuo, Chia-Ming, 2009, New records of sipunculan worms from Taiwan, Zootaxa 2067, pp. 51-61 : 60

Aspidosiphon (Aspidosiphon) muelleri Diesing

Figs 2 J, 3E–F

Aspidosiphon muelleri Cutler, 1994: 218 (for complete synonymy).

Material examined. One specimen (NMNS-5928-021), Shiaoliuchiu (22°20.56' N, 120°21.53' E), Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, lower intertidal sandy bottom, coll. P.-W. Hsueh, 5 May 2007.

Remarks. The present specimen possesses a continuous layer of longitudinal muscles, the anal shield has an extensive array of furrows ( Fig. 3 E), and its other characters agree with the description by Cutler (1994). A unidentate hook ( Fig. 3 F) was observed in the present specimen. However, this character is not reliable for identification as it can also be bidentate or both ( Cutler 1994). The species is known as the most widespread Aspidosiphon , commonly found in northeastern Atlantic and occasionally reported from the western Pacific ( Japan to Australia) ( Cutler 1994). The collection of this species in Taiwan is therefore not surprising.

Figures

FIGURE 2. A, Sipunculus robustus Keferstein. B, Siphonosoma funafuti (Shipley). C, Siphonosoma vastum (Selenka and Bülow). D, Golfingia margaritacea margaritacea (Sars). E, Golfingia muricaudata (Southern, 1913). F, Thysanocardia nigra (Ikeda). Scalebars: A-E, 10 mm; F, 2.5 mm. G, Themiste minor minor (Ikeda), H, Phascolosoma arcuatum (Gray). I, Phascolosoma glabrum glabrum (Sluiter). J, Aspidosiphon (Aspidosiphon) muelleri Diesing. K, Aspidosiphon coyi de Quatrefages. Scalebars: G, 5 mm; H – J, 10 mm; K, 2.5 mm.

FIGURE 3. A, Introvert hooks of Siphonosoma vastum (Selenka and Bülow). B, Anterior close-up view of Themiste minor minor (Ikeda), showing posteriorly orientated hooks. C, Introvert hooks of Phascolosoma arcuatum (Gray). D, Introvert hooks of Phascolosoma glabrum glabrum (Sluiter). E, Anal shield of Aspidosiphon muelleri Diesing. F, Introvert unidentate hook of Aspidosiphon muelleri Diesing. G, Anal shield of Aspidosiphon coyi de Quatrefages, showing grooves on the surface of anal shield. H, Introvert hook of Aspidosiphon coyi de Quatrefages, showing a small secondary tooth on the hook. Scalebars: A, 100 μm; B, E, G, 1 mm; C – D, 80 μm; F, 10 μm; H, 20 μm.