The morphology of Laubieriopsis sp. (Polychaeta, Fauveliopsidae) and the position of fauveliopsids in the polychaete system

Abstract

The external and internal morphology of Laubieriopsis sp. from the North Sea was studied using light, scanning, and transmission microscopy. The morphology of the head end, parapodia, pigidium, body cavity, digestive tract, nervous system, and reproductive system was analyzed. The studied species was most similar to L. cabiochi (Amoreux, 1982) but displayed some significant differences. The body consists of 22 setigers (versus 21 setigers of L. cabiochi), bears bidentate modified aciculae in four anterior segments, and has paired genital papillae (unpaired in L. cabiochi) located on the eighth segment. Parapodia of the 5th–22nd segments bear one long capillary chaeta and one very short and thin chaeta in each ramus. The anterior part of the body capable of invaginating (forming an introvert) comprises only the prostomium and peristomium and does not include the first segment, as is typical of flabelligerids. The oral cavity contains well-developed dorsolateral ciliary folds. The ventral pharyngeal organ is undetectable. The ciliary folded esophagus is a straight tube without a loop even in an inverted head. The gut forms a small loop in the region of the 17th segment. The body cavity is divided by well-developed dissepiments and mesenteries, forming an intricate system of partitions in the anterior part of the body. The neuron bodies of the ventral nerve cord are homogenously distributed without forming distinct ganglia; however, the nerve cord forms two or three swellings in each segment. The position of fauveliopsids in the polychaete system is discussed. This study did not find any traits of fauveliopsids similar to Flabelligeridae and close taxa.