Zootaxa, Taxonomy of Serpulidae (Annelida ... - Magnolia Press

Remarks. The diagnosis above is partly based on a personal communication by R. Bastida-Zavala. This is
a poorly known monotypic genus with unclear affinities. According to Rzhavsky (pers. comm.), Neomicrorbis
belongs to the Spirorbidae (Paralaeospirinae) because of its incomplete chaetal inversion typical for
spirorbins. Reproduction is unknown, which makes placement within spirorbins difficult. Zibrowius (1972a)
regards it as something intermediate between a “serpulid” and a spirorbin.
Neomicrorbis azoricus Zibrowius, 1972a, Azores, St. Paul Island, West Indian Ocean.
24. Neovermilia Day, 1961
(Fig. 30)
Type-species: Neovermilia capensis Day, 1961
Number of species: 6
Tube white, opaque, triangular to subcircular in cross-section, medial keel may be present. Granular overlay
absent, though hyaline inner (bordering lumen) and hyaline outer layers may be present. Tabulae occasionally
present. Operculum globular, soft proximally, at most with slightly chitinized, or sclerotized, or calcified cap.
Operculum absent in one species. Peduncle sub-cylindrical to triangular, wrinkled (annulated), sometimes
with small distal latero-dorsal “winglets” (flattened parts of the peduncle), constriction present; inserted at
base of first to fourth normal radiole. Pseudoperculum absent (but see remarks). Radioles arranged in semicircles
to short spiral (1.5 whorls), up to 50 per lobe. Inter-radiolar membrane present (that is, radioles fused
basally for about 1/20 th of their length). Stylodes absent. Branchial eyes not observed. Mouth palps absent. 7
thoracic chaetigerous segments. Collar trilobed, tonguelets between ventral and lateral collar lobes absent.
Thoracic membranes forming ventral apron across anterior abdominal segment. Collar chaetae limbate.
Apomatus chaetae absent. Thoracic uncini saw-shaped with 5–6 teeth above pointed anterior fang (Fig. 30A);
saw-to-rasp shaped in one species. Triangular depression absent, but rows of thoracic tori converge,
completely touching each other medioventrally. Abdominal chaetae long, trumpet-shaped, smoothly bent,
with hollow end bordered by two rows of pointed teeth (Fig. 30C). Abdominal uncini similar to thoracic ones,
with 7 teeth above fang (Fig. 30B). Achaetous anterior abdominal zone absent. Posterior capillary chaetae and
glandular pad absent.
Remarks. Ten Hove (1975) tabulated the known species of Neovermilia. Later, two more species were
described and attributed to this genus, N. aberrans Rullier & Amoureux, 1979 and N. anoperculata Lechapt,
1992. Uncini of N. aberrans were figured with a bifid anterior peg; contrary to the description, Apomatus
chaetae are present, and the number of thoracic chaetigers is higher than 7 (Zibrowius, pers. comm.), it might
rather belong to Filogranella. The taxon anoperculata agrees well with the diagnosis of Neovermilia, but for
the absence of an operculum and its thoracic uncini which are saw-to-rasp-shaped. One specimen of N.
globula from Taronga Park checked by one of us (HAtH; Australian Museum) had a pseudoperculum in
addition to the normal peduncle.
1. Neovermilia anoperculata Lechapt, 1992, New Caledonia; SEM photos of chaetae in original description
2. Neovermilia capensis Day, 1961, False Bay, South Africa
3. Neovermilia dewae (Straughan, 1967b), Heron Island, Queensland, Australia
4. Neovermilia falcigera (Roule, 1898), Cape Bojador; East Atlantic from off Ireland to North Africa,
Mediterranean; bathyal
5. Neovermilia globula (Dew, 1959), Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia
6. Neovermilia sphaeropomatus (Benham, 1927), New Zealand.
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