Ophryotrocha sativa

Paxton, Hannelore & Åkesson, Bertil, 2010, The Ophryotrocha labronica group (Annelida: Dorvilleidae) — with the description of seven new species, Zootaxa 2713, pp. 1-24 : 15-16

Ophryotrocha sativa nom. nud.

Table 1

Ophryotrocha sativa nom. nud. Pleijel & Eide, 1996: 648.

Diagnosis. Prostomium with moderately long, tapering antennae, palps absent; two eyes medially connected; parapodia uniramous, lacking dorsal and ventral cirri; rosette glands reported as absent; detail of mandibles and maxillae unknown, K-forceps, right bidentate, left falcate; gonochoristic; chromosomes 2n = 6; diameter of eggs 120 µm.

Remarks. The diagnosis (except for reproductive characteristics) is based on information from Pleijel & Eide (1996). On the basis of this information and its position in the pylogenetic tree of Pleijel & Eide (1996) this species appears to be a typical member of the O. labronica group. However, the scored morphological characters are too general to distinguish it from the other members. Since the culture no longer exists and no animals have been preserved, this species remains indeterminate. The same species was also sampled from aquaria in four more pet stores. Data about fecundity and sex ratio were obtained from those strains.

Distribution. The distribution is unknown. The specimens were found in the aquaria of a wholesale dealer who had imported ‘living stones’ (pieces of coral in good condition with a variety of attached organisms) from the Philippines. They are native in a tropical environment and cannot survive at temperatures of 18ºC or lower.