Ophryotrocha prolifica

Paxton, Hannelore & Åkesson, Bertil, 2010, The Ophryotrocha labronica group (Annelida: Dorvilleidae) — with the description of seven new species, Zootaxa 2713, pp. 1-24 : 14-15

Ophryotrocha prolifica nom. nud.

Table 1

Ophryotrocha prolifica 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; dorsal single rosette glands on posterior segments; anterior edge of mandibles with 23–25 teeth, detail of maxillae unknown, K-forceps, right bidentate, left falcate; androdioecy; chromosomes 2n = 6; diameter of eggs 125 µm; released larvae without parapodia, with pygidial median stylus.

Remarks. This species was first observed and cultured by Dr. Stanley A. Rice, University of Tampa and brought to Gothenburg in March 1979. Sex determination differs from other members of the O. labronica group. It is comprised of three genotypes: monogenic hermaphrodites, amphigenic hermaphrodites, and males. Sex is determined by a simple diallelic locus with a dominant allele, S, coding for hermaphroditism, and a recessive allele, s, coding for males. Monogenic hermaphrodites are SS, amphigenic hermaphrotides are Ss, and males are ss. Both outcrossing (with males) and selfing occur in the population. This rare reproductive form is known as androdioecy. It was first reported for animals by Sassaman & Weeks (1993) who described it from the conchostracan shrimp Eulimnadia texana (Packard) . This mode of reproduction has not been reported from any other polychaete.

Based on its morphology this species is a typical member of the O. labronica group, as has been confirmed by electrophoresis ( Pleijel & Eide 1996).

Since the culture no longer exists and no material was preserved, this species remains indeterminate.

Distribution. The specimens appeared as a contamination in an aquarium with material from Indian River on the east coast of Florida, USA.