Paralepidonotus ampulliferus

Figs 9 a–l, Figs 10 a–d

Polynoe ampullifera. — Wesenberg-Lund 1949, Danish scientific investigations in Iran 4: 253–255.

Paralepidonotus ampulliferus. — Hanley 1991, Invertebrate Taxonomy 4: 1055–1062, figs 1–5; Rasheed & Mustaquim 2003, Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences 12(1): 76–77, fig. 15; Barnich et al. 2004, Species Diversity 9: 315–316; Wehe 2006, Fauna of Arabia 22: 159–161. fig. 43a–m, pl. 1f.

Type locality: Bohol Island, Philippines.

Material examined: ZUTCann. 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2037, 2120, 2216, 2223, 2233, 2248.

Measurements (n = 47): Length 10.83–28.62 (20.05), width 4.44–9 (8.91) mm.

Distribution: Gulf of Suez (Red Sea) (Wehe 2006), and Persian Gulf (Wesenberg- Lund 1949). Th is is the first record for the Gulf of Oman.

Family Sigalionidae

Sthenelais boa (Johnston, 1833)

Figs 11 a–j

Sthenelais boa. — Wesenberg-Lund 1949, Danish scientific investigations in Iran 4: 257; Mohammad 1971, Journal of Zoology 163: 288; Wehe 2007, Fauna of Arabia 23: 102–104, fig. 20a–k.

Type locality: Great Britain. Material examined: ZUTC ann. 2046, 2047, 2048, 2049. Measurements (n = 8): Length, 26–110 (64.42), width 3.43–6.13 (5.17). Remarks: On some specimens a few ampulla-shaped structures with a stem could be observed on the elytra. Distribution: Th is is the first record for this species for the Gulf of Oman.

Figure |0. Paralepidonotus ampulliferus. a middle elytron b ampullae on elytra c microtubercles d fringing papillae.

Conclusion

The genera Lepidonotus and Harmothoe were the most prevalent in our samples, each of them represented with three species. Lepidonotus tenuisetosus was most frequently encountered and collected from 25 locations. The highest diversity of scale worms found during this study originated from rocky habitats covered with a dense layer of algae.

Figure ||. Sthenelais boa. a anterior end, dorsal view b 1st right elytron c fringing papillae d microtubercles e 7th right parapodium, anterior view f lower neurochaeta g middle neurochaeta h upper neurochaeta i notochaeta j simple neurochaeta.

The high number of new records demonstrates that a much higher diversity of scale worms and polychaetes in general is present on the north-eastern coasts of the Persian Gulf as well as from the northern coasts of the Gulf of Oman than known so far. It can be expected that more intensive fieldwork in additional stations will yield additional records for this relatively unexplored coast.

Acknowledgement

The authors greatly acknowledge the suggestions of Dr. T. Wehe, Zoological Institute, University of Heidelberg, who helped to identify the specimens examined here. We would also like to express our gratitude to Dr. D. Fiege, Research Institute and Natural History Museum Senckenberg, Frankfurt am Main, who gave us the possibility to use his library and literature. We also thank for the financial help and facilities provided by the University of Tehran.