Figures 36–37
Scoloplos (Scoloplos) schmitti Pettibone, 1957: 164, fig. 3; 1963: 287–288, fig. 74d.
Califia schmitti: Hartman 1959: 364; 1965: 127–128; Hartman & Fauchald 1971: 91; Blake et al. 1987: C-4; Maciolek et al. 1987a: D-4; Maciolek et al. 1987b: D-3; Hilbig 1994: 942.
Califia calida: Taylor 1984: 1-21 to 1-23, Figs. 1-21 to 1-22. Not Hartman 1957.
Material examined. (97 specimens) Off New England, US North Atlantic ACSAR program, coll. G.W. Hampson, Chief Scientist. Sta. 3: Cruise NA-2, Rep. 2, 26 Apr 1985, 41°01.34′N, 66°20.21′W, 1340 m (3, USNM 1622214); Rep. 3, 26 Apr 1985, 41°01.28′N, 66°20.25′W, 1345 m (1 juv., USNM 1622215); Cruise NA-4, Rep. 2, 22 Nov 1985, 41°01.42′N, 66°20.32′W, 1334 m (1 juv., USNM 1622216); Rep. 3, 22 Nov 1985, 41°01.45′N, 66°20.35′W, 1330 m (1, USNM 1622217); Cruise NA-6, Rep. 1, 25 Jul 1986, 41°01.55′N, 66°20.12′W, 1345 m (1, USNM 1622218). Sta. 8: Cruise NA-2, Rep. 2, 28 Apr 1985, 41°10.27′N, 67°37.22′W, 2180 m (2, USNM 1622219); Cruise NA-5, Rep. 2, 29 Apr 1986, 41°10.19′N, 67°37.29′W, 2165 m (1 juv., USNM 1622220). Sta. 9: Cruise NA-4, Rep. 1, 27 Nov 1985, 39°50.42′N, 70°01.65′W, 1224 m (1, USNM 1622221); Rep. 3, 27 Nov 1985, 39°50.39′N, 70°01.65′W, 1239 m (1, USNM 1622222); Cruise NA-6, Rep. 1, 28 Jul 1986, 39°50.37′N, 70°01.72′W, 1233 m (2, USNM 1622223). Sta. 10: Cruise NA-2, Rep. 1, 03 May 1985, 39°48.19′N, 70°05.26′W, 1210 m (1, USNM 1622224); Cruise NA- 4, Rep. 3, 27 Nov 1985, 39°48.10′N, 70°05.33′W, 1219 m (2, USNM 1622225). Sta. 13: Cruise NA-1, Rep. 1, 15 Nov 1984, 39°54.32′N, 70°55.09′W, 558 m (1, USNM 1622226); Cruise NA-4, Rep. 3, 30 Nov 1985, 39°54.32′N, 70°55.12′W, 544 m (1, USNM 1622227).— Off New Jersey and Delaware, U.S. Mid-Atlantic ACSAR program, coll. R.M. Petrecca, Chief Scientist. Sta. 3: Cruise Mid-1, Rep. 1, 05 May 1984, 38°36.3′88N, 70°51.41′W, 2055 m (1, USNM 1622228); Rep. 3, 05 May 1984, 38°36.86′N, 70°51.29′W, 2060 m (1, USNM 1622229). Sta. 5: Cruise Mid-1, Rep. 2, 08 May 1984, 38°50.54′N, 72°33.18′W, 2055 m (1, USNM 1622230); Cruise Mid-2, Rep. 1, 01 Aug 1984, 38°50.42′N, 72°33.03′W, 2089 m (1, USNM 1622231); Rep. 2, 01 Aug 1984, 38°50.42′N, 72°33.05′W, 2089 m (1, USNM 1622232); Rep. 3, 01 Aug 1984, 38°50.52′N, 72°33.96′W, 2074 m (4, USNM 1622233); Cruise Mid-4, Rep. 1, 16 May 1985, 38°50.46′N, 72°33.23′W, 2080 m (4, USNM 1622234); Cruise Mid-6, Rep. 2, 11 Nov 1985, 38°50.49′N, 72°33.127′W, 2079 m (1, USNM 1622235). Sta. 6: Cruise Mid-1, Rep. 3, 03 May 1984, 39°05.59′N, 72°03.00′W, 2090 m (1, USNM 1622236); Cruise Mid-3, Rep. 3, 28 Nov 1984, 39°05.65′N, 72°03.08′W, 2085 m (1, USNM 1622237). Sta. 7: Cruise Mid-1, Rep. 3, 06 May 1984, 38°27.34′N, 72°03.48′W, 2100 m (1, USNM 1622238); Cruise Mid-2, Rep. 3, 06 Aug 1984, 38°27.34′N, 72°03.48′W, 2100 m (2, USNM 1622239). Sta. 8: Cruise Mid-2, Rep. 3, 08 Aug 1984, 38°27.18′N, 73°04.78′W, 2159 m (1, USNM 1622240). Sta. 9: Cruise Mid-6, Rep. 3, 17 Nov 1985, 38°17.24′N, 72°14.51′W, 2104 m (1, USNM 1622241). Sta. 11: Cruise Mid-1, Rep. 1, 07 May 1984, 38°40.16′N, 72°56.82′W, 1515 m (1, USNM 1622242); Rep. 3, 07 Aug 1984, 38°40.22′N, 72°56.27′W, 1520 m (1, USNM 1622243). Sta. 13: Cruise Mid-1, Rep. 1, 02 Apr 1984, 37°53.33′N, 73°45.09′W, 1613 m (1, USNM 1622244); Cruise Mid-2, Rep. 1, 07 Aug 1984, 37°53.35′N, 73°45.01′W, 1614 m (1, USNM 1622245); Cruise Mid-3, Rep. 2, 30 Nov 1984, 37°53.29′N, 73°45.11′W, 1612 m (1, USNM 1622246); Cruise Mid-4, Rep. 1, 19 May 1985, 37°53.26′N, 73°45.25′W, 1615 m (1, USNM 1622247); Cruise Mid-6, Rep. 3, 16 Nov 1985, 37°53.23′N, 73°45.27′W, 1607 m (2, USNM 1622248). Sta. 14: Cruise Mid-1, Rep. 2, 02 Apr 1984, 37°53.79′N, 73°44.78′W, 1503 m (1, USNM 1622249); Cruise Mid-5, Rep. 3, 10 Aug 1985, 37°53.79′N, 73°44.79′W, 1490 m (1, USNM 1622250).— Southeastern USA, U.S. South Atlantic ACSAR program, coll. J.A. Blake, Chief Scientist. Off Cape Hatteras, NC, Sta. 10: Cruise SA-4, Rep. 3, 24 May 1985, 35°26.44′N, 74°41.30′W, 1985 m (1, USNM 1622251). Hatteras Canyon, Sta. 6: Cruise SA-1, Rep. 3, 19 Nov 1983, 34°48.53′N, 75°16.22′W, 2060 m (7, USNM 1622252); Cruise SA-2, Rep. 1, 25 May 1984, 34°49.90′N, 75°13.50′W, 1974 m (7, USNM 1622253); Rep. 2, 25 May 1984, 34°50.20′N, 75°13.40′W, 1979 m (9, USNM 1622254); Rep. 3, 25 May 1984, 34°49.90′N, 75°13.70′W, 1984 m (5, USNM 1622255); Cruise SA-3, Rep. 1, 20 Jul 1984, 34°49.80′N, 75°13.50′W, 2003 m (3, USNM 1622256). Off Cape Lookout, NC, Sta. 2: Cruise SA-3, Rep. 2, 15 Jul 1984, 34°15.00′N, 74°43.70′W, 1002 m (1, USNM 1622257). Sta. 3: Cruise SA-2, Rep. 2, 27 Mar 1984, 34°14.63′N, 75°40.17′W, 1513 m (7, USNM 1622258); Cruise SA-3, 15 Jul 1984, 34°15.10′N, 75°40.30′W, 1489 m (7, USNM 1622259). Sta. 4: Cruise SA-1, Rep. 1, 16 Nov 1983, 34°11.68′N, 75°39.54′W, 1860 m (3, USNM 1622260); Cruise SA-4, 23 May 1985, Rep. 2, 23 May 1985, 34°11.22′N, 75°38.44′W, 2051 m (2, USNM 1622261); Rep. 3, 23 May 1985, 34°11.29′N, 75°38.67′W, 2015 m (1, USNM 1622262); Cruise SA-6, Rep. 3, 24 Nov 1985, 34°11.23′N, 75°38.53′W, 2057 m (1, USNM 1622263). Off Cape Fear, NC, Sta. 11: Cruise SA-5, Rep. 3, 23 Sep 1985, 33°04.86′N, 76°25.12′W, 797 m (1, USNM 1622264); Cruise SA-6, Rep. 1, 22 Nov. 1985, 33°04.95′N, 76°25.15′W, 804 m (1, USNM 1622265). Off Charleston, SC, Sta. 14: Cruise SA-4, Rep. 3, 20 May 1985, 32°23.67′N, 76°01.17′W, 803 m (1, USNM 1622266).
Comparative material examined. (19 specimens) Gulf of Mexico, off Louisiana, Virgo Platform Survey, R/ V Brooks McCall, coll. J.A. Blake, Chief Scientist: Sta. V-1W, 11 Nov 2008, 29°10.9217′N, 088°10.2920′W, 340 m (1, MCZ 161670). Sta. V-2W, 11 Nov 2008, 29°10.9205′N, 088°10.3563′W, 347 m (1, MCZ 161671). Sta. V-1E, 11 Nov 2008, 29°10.9167′N, 088°10.09.8484′W, 340 m (1, MCZ 161672). Sta. V-2E, 11 Nov 2008, 29°10.9147′N, 088°09.7865′W, 340 m (1, MCZ 161673). Sta. V-3E, 11 Nov 2008, 29°10.9240′N, 088°09.7202′W, 340 m (2, MCZ 161674). Sta. V-1S, 11 Nov 2008, 29°10.7201′N, 088°10.0711′W, 361 m (2, MCZ 161675). Sta. V-2S, 11 Nov 2008, 29°10.6701′N, 088°10.0716′W, 364 m (3, MCZ 161676). Sta. V-3S, 11 Nov 2008, 29°10.6119′N, 088°10.0718′W, 361 m (1, MCZ 161677). Sta. V-1N, 11 Nov 2008, 29°11.1133′N, 088°10.0726′W, 335 m (1, MCZ 161678). Sta. V- 2N, 11 Nov 2008, 29°11.1637′N, 088°10.0756′W, 331 m (3, MCZ 161679). Sta. V-3N, 11 Nov 2008, 29°11.2189′N, 088°10.0730′W, 330 m (2, MCZ 161680 ) . Sta. V-4N, 12 Nov 2008, 29°11.4926′N, 088°10.0801′W, 313 m (1, MCZ 161681).
Description. A moderate to large species; complete specimen (USNM 1622224) with 125 setigers, 22.7 mm long and 0.5 mm wide across thoracic segments. Larger specimens all incomplete; one (USNM 1622224) with 60
setigers, 15 mm long and 1.3 mm wide; Pettibone (1957) recorded an incomplete specimen with 50 setigers, 20 mm long and 2 mm wide. Thoracic setigers about six times as wide as long (Fig. 36A); abdominal segments short, crowded, about 20 times as wide as long. First three setigers thickened on larger specimens due to modified neuropodia; with shallow mid-ventral groove on first 4–6 setigers (Fig. 37A). Thoracic segments uniannulate except for mid-dorsal intersegmental area from about setiger 9 where mid-dorsal swelling becomes evident (Fig. 36A); abdominal segments bi- or triannulate, best developed on venter. Color in alcohol light tan; some specimens with mid-dorsal intersegmental areas with dark pigment from about setigers 9–10 and on a few anterior abdominal segments.
Pre-setiger region triangular, about as long as first two setigers (Fig. 36 A–B). Prostomium short, conical, tapering to narrow apex (Fig. 36 A–B); eyespots absent; nuchal organs inconspicuous narrow slits on posterior-lateral margins. Peristomium short, wider than long, smooth dorsally, with a single annular ring surrounding elongate mouth opening (Fig. 36B); lateral lips composed of 5–6 rounded lobes on either side and single narrow anterior and posterior oral lobes; oral apparatus extending posteriorly about half way onto setiger 1 (Figs. 36B, 37C).
Thorax on all large specimens with 13 setigers. Setigers 1–3 with short, papillate postsetal notopodial lamellae (Fig. 36D); neuropodia with similar but larger postsetal lobes (Fig. 36D). Subsequent thoracic segments with elongate, digitate noto- and neuropodial postsetal lamellae (Fig. 36G). Abdominal notopodia narrow, elongate (Fig. 36I); abdominal neuropodia dorsally elevated, apically expanded and divided into two short equal lobes between which capillary setae arise (Fig. 36I), usually in two separate fascicles; narrow acicula present, difficult to observe.
Branchiae from setiger 9, full-sized from first, overall relatively short and narrow (Fig. 36A); branchiae of abdominal segments generally wider (Fig. 36I), but not longer than those of thoracic setigers (Fig. 36G).
All thoracic notosetae dense fascicles of camerated capillaries. Setigers 1–3 with modified neurosetae, thus differing in superficial appearance from setiger 4 and following segments having only fascicle of capillaries (Figs. 36D, 37 A–B); anomalous extra neuropodial spines on setiger 4 rarely observed; one specimen (USNM 1622218) with a full complement of modified neurosetae one side of setiger 4 but only capillaries on the other side (Fig. 37C). Thoracic neurosetae of setigers 1–3, rarely 4 of three types: (1) anterior row of 10 or more short, narrow ribbed uncini with adhering sheath, fragmenting apically into tattered bristles (Figs. 36E, 37E); (2) 1–2 rows of long, smooth heavy spines bearing narrow adhering sheath apically divided into bristles, bristles sometimes extending beyond end of seta (Figs. 36F, 37 F–G); and (3) superior fascicle of thin camerated capillaries (Fig. 36D); subsequent thoracic setigers with dense fascicles of short and long camerated capillaries (Fig. 37D). Abdominal notosetae including long, camerated capillaries and 2–3 delicate furcate setae; flail setae absent. Furcate setae with unequal tynes each bearing thin row of needles projecting medially; shaft with transverse rows of barbs (Fig. 36H). Abdominal neurosetae 5–10 thin smooth capillaries; with 1–2 thin projecting aciculae.
Pygidium a rounded lobe with two long, thin anal cirri (Fig. 36C).
Remarks. Pettibone (1957) reported the absence of neuropodial postsetal lobes on the modified setigers 1–3; however, a short thickened papillate lobe is present in the new materials. Califia schmitti is most similar to C. calida Hartman, 1957 from the eastern Pacific, recently redescribed by Blake (2020). The two species are similar in most respects and differ only in minor details.
Blake (2020) reported C. calida with up to 14 thoracic setigers and branchiae from setigers 8–9; whereas in the present study, the largest specimens of C. schmitti from the U.S. Atlantic slope have 13 thoracic setigers and branchiae consistently from setiger 9. The neuropodial postsetal lamellae of setigers 1–3 in C. calida are large, spherical lobes, whereas those of C. schmitti are short and papillate. The notopodial furcate setae of C. calida have smooth shafts versus shafts with transverse rows of narrow barbs in C. schmitti. The nuchal organs of C. calida are conspicuous ciliated mounds versus narrow inconspicuous slits in C. schmitti. The most noticeable difference, however, is the nature of the mouth and surrounding peristomial lips. In C. calida, the mouth is as wide as long and surrounded by 4–5 lobes on the anterior margin and thickened lobes laterally and posteriorly. In C. schmitti, the mouth is elongate and narrow, with a single narrow anterior lobe and 5–6 lateral lobes. In both species the oral morphology extends about half-way on to setiger 1.
The specimens examined from the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana agreed well with the Atlantic slope specimens. Thoracic setigers numbered 11–12 with branchiae consistently from setiger 9. Four specimens from off Florida and Texas reported as C. calida by Taylor (1984) agree with C. schmitti in having 13 thoracic setigers and branchiae from setiger 9, but were reported from much shallower depths.
Biology. Out of 97 specimens from the U.S. Atlantic slope, 33 were collected from the Hatteras Canyon off North Carolina at a depth of 2000 m in sediments having high silt and clay inventories (Blake & Grassle 1994). The remaining 64 specimens were scattered over many stations and depths from New England to the Carolinas.
Distribution. Widespread along U.S. Atlantic continental slope; off New England to South Carolina, 544–2180 m; Gulf of Mexico, off Louisiana, 313– 364 m.