Tanturia Ben-Eliahu, 1976

Ten Hove, Harry A. & Kupriyanova, Elena K., 2009, Taxonomy of Serpulidae (Annelida, Polychaeta): The state of affairs, Zootaxa 2036, pp. 1-126 : 98-100

44. Tanturia Ben-Eliahu, 1976

( Fig. 48)

Type-species: Tanturia zibrowii Ben-Eliahu, 1976

Number of species: 1

No details of tube available, tiny specimens (0.9–2.17 mm in length) were extracted from vermetid reefs. Operculum globular to inverse conical, with flat to convex chitinous endplate. Peduncle smooth, without distal wings, inserted as second radiole; constriction absent. Pseudoperculum absent. Arrangement of radioles in semi-circles, up to 3 per lobe. Inter-radiolar membrane and stylodes absent, branchial eyes not observed. Mouth palps unknown. 5 thoracic chaetigerous segments. Collar trilobed, with 2 deep lateral incisions; tonguelets absent. Thoracic membranes unknown. Collar chaetae fin-and-blade, with well-separated distal limbate zone and proximal wing ( Fig. 48A), and limbate. Apomatus chaetae present from 3 rd chaetiger on ( Fig. 48B). Thoracic uncini saw-to-rasp-shaped with about 15 teeth in profile, up to 4 teeth in a row above peg (dental formula P:4:3:3:1:2:1:1:1:1:1:1:1:1:1:1, Fig. 48C); peg bifurcate under compound microscope but blunt, almost trapezoidal in SEM. Triangular depression absent. Abdominal chaetae with flat triangular blades with blunt teeth ( Fig. 48E). Abdominal uncini rasp-shaped, with 7 teeth in profile, up to 8 fine teeth in row above blunt apparently bifurcate (gouged?) anterior fang ( Fig. 48D). Achaetous anterior abdominal zone present. Posterior capillary chaetae absent. Posterior glandular pad not observed.

Remarks. This monotypic genus is known only from 14 specimens (type series) collected from vermetid reefs near Elat, Red Sea.

Tanturia zibrowii Ben-Eliahu, 1976 , Elat, Gulf of Aqaba, Sinai coast.