Placostegus californicus Hartman, 1969

Bastida-Zavala, J. Rolando, 2008, Serpulids (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the Eastern Pacific, including a brief mention of Hawaiian serpulids, Zootaxa 1722, pp. 1-61 : 30-31

Placostegus californicus Hartman, 1969

( Figures 7E–G)

Placostegus californicus Hartman, 1969: 763–764 , figs. 1–5. Type locality: Off Long Point , Santa Catalina Island, Mexico.

Material examined. Three specimens: California ( USA), LACM-AHF 178–179 , holotype and paratype (33º24’35”N, 118º21’15”W, off Santa Catalina Island , off Long Point , Velero III, sta. 900–38, on Lacqueus association, 80 m); MBL-SD s.n. (approx. 32º40’N, 117º25’W, off San Diego, ITP Reg 2137, 48 m, July 15, 1996) .

Diagnosis. Tube transparent, with longitudinal serrated ridge. Opercular peduncle smooth. Operculum with bulbous proximal part and concave plate distally, with its concave surface facing ventrally ( Figs 7E–G). Thoracic membrane extends to last thoracic chaetiger. Six thoracic chaetigers. Collar chaetae absent.

Habitat. Depth: 48–80 m. On Lacqueus shells (brachiopods).

Distribution. Only known from southern California ( USA) ( Hartman 1969).

Remarks. In the collar region the specimens have an encircling girdle of glandular appearance, as originally recorded by Hartman (1969), but they represent lenses of eyespots. Last 10–15 abdominal segments with similar girdles, but represent glandular areas.