DESCRIPTION OF A NEW POLYCHAETE, NOTHRIA SHIRIKISHINAIENSIS n. sp. OF THE FAMILY EUNICIDAE

Abstract

Introduction: The genus Nothria belonging to the subfamily Onuphidinae, is characterized by having branchiae of a simple filamentous shape, that are rarely absent. So far as the author is aware, five species of the genus have been recorded from Japanese waters, i.e., N. macrobranchiata, N. conchylega, N. geophiliformis, N. holobranchiata and N. willemoesii, but none from Hokkaido. In April of 1956, many specimens of a certain species referable to the genus Nothria, were collected on the shore near the Station at Shirikishinai. On a closer examination, it seems to the writer that the species is a new representative of the genus, as described in the paper. Before proceeding further, the author wishes to tender his cordial thanks to Prof. Hideji YAMAGUCHI for his kind guidance during this investigation and for his aid in preparing this manuscript.