Pseudovermilia occidentalis ( McIntosh, 1885 )

Bastida-Zavala, J. Rolando, 2008, Serpulids (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the Eastern Pacific, including a brief mention of Hawaiian serpulids, Zootaxa 1722, pp. 1-61 : 40-42

Pseudovermilia occidentalis ( McIntosh, 1885)

( Figures 9H–I)

Spirobranchus occidentalis McIntosh, 1885: 529–530 , pl. 55, fig. 10, pl. 29a, figs. 31–32. Type locality: Off the Bermudas, Western Atlantic.

Pseudovermilia occidentalis .— ten Hove, 1975: 59–72, figs. 114–123, 144–145, 155–156, 159, 161–164, 170–172, pls. 1, 2a–e, 3, 7 (revision of the genus).

Pseudovermilia conchata .— Bastida-Zavala, 1993: 36, Bahia de La Paz (Baja California Sur, Mexico).

Pseudovermilia occidentalis .— Bastida-Zavala, 1995: 25, Cabo Pulmo Reef (Baja California Sur, Mexico).

Pseudovermilia occidentalis .— Bastida-Zavala and Salazar-Vallejo, 2001: 820, figs. 8r–u, Campeche Bank, Cayo Alacranes, Ria Lagartos, Mexican Caribbean and Cuba.

Material examined. More than 55 specimens: Baja California Sur ( Mexico), UMAR-Poly 85, 2 spec. (beaches of Bahia de La Paz , 24º21’07”N, 110º17’04”W, Caleritas beach, rock pools, June 25, 1986, and 24º11’50”N, 110º18’02”W, Coromuel beach, sand and rock bottom, Nov. 29, 1986, coll. SISV & JALG); UMAR-Poly 86, 6 spec. (23º24–25’N, 109º25’W, Cabo Pulmo Reef , Coral Los Frailes and second bar, on dead coral Pocillopora , 4–7 m, Sept. 25, 1988, Sept. 18, 1989, coll. PH, JK & JRBZ); UMAR-Poly 87 (24º13’10”N, 110º18’38”W, PEMEX pier, Bahia de La Paz, epifauna of Eucidaris , June 16, 1991, coll. F. Solís, R. Ramírez & JRBZ); UMAR-Poly 88, 4 spec. (24º17’25”N, 110º19’57”W, La Gaviota beach, Bahia de La Paz, 1992, epifauna of Eucidaris , coll. MSGM & JRBZ); UANL 363, 20+ spec. (approx. 25º49’N, 111º18’W, Puerto Escondido, Jan. 26, 1986, coll. JALG). Oaxaca ( Mexico), UMAR-Poly 89, 20+ spec. (15º40’04”N, 96º28’53”W, Estacahuite beach, Puerto Angel, on coral debris, 2 m, Oct. 22, 2003, coll. JRBZ); UMAR-Poly 90, 2 spec. (15º41’14”N, 96º26’32”W, La Tijera beach, Puerto Angel, on coral Pocillopora , May or June, 2004, coll. G. Velásquez); UMAR-Poly 91 (15º44’40”N, 96º07’43”W, La Entrega beach, Huatulco, on Spondylus calcifer, Aug., 2004 , coll. MSGM) .

Diagnosis. Tube white, with longitudinal and transversal ridges, sometimes with peristomes. Opercular peduncle smooth, white. Operculum with fleshy, bulbous part and distal, black horny cap; last with up to 0–7 internal septa ( Fig. 9I), generally with curving spine on top ( Fig. 9H). Thoracic membrane short, extending to second thoracic chaetiger. Collar with hooded (limbate) chaetae, with bundles of few chaetae. Thorax with “ Apomatus ” chaetae occurring from third chaetiger onwards. Thoracic uncini with anterior bifurcate tooth.

Habitat. Depth: 4–7 m. On calcareous substrates (rocks, dead corals, shells, sea urchin spines).

Distribution. Amphi-American and Amphi-Atlantic. Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Georgia ( USA) to Brazil, Gulf of Guinea, Cabo Verde and Santa Helena Islands; California ( USA) to Galapagos, Hawaii (ten Hove 1975).