(Fig. 2 C-F)
MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Holotype: Porcupine Abyssal Plain, BENGAL 2, Discovery 226, stn 13078#27, 48°47.26’N, 16°34.01’W, 4844 m, 3.IV.1997,. Paratypes: BENGAL 3, Discovery 229, stn 13200#940, 48°50.99’N, 16°26.03’W, 4847 m, 25.VII.1997, 3 specimens.
ETYMOLOGY. — The species is named after Dr A. L. Rice who was one of the coordinators and Principal Scientist of the BENGAL Project of the EU MAST 3 programme.
DESCRIPTION
Trunk of preserved specimens is light pink, proboscis is off-white. Proboscis of holotype is 15 mm long, bilobed distally; lateral margins curl inwards and unite at base forming funnel around mouth (Fig. 2C). Trunk of holotype is 49 mm long and 13 mm across broadest part. In paratypes only basal stump of proboscis is attached to trunk, rest is missing. Trunk length of paratypes ranges from 43 to 61 mm and approximately 14 mm across broadest part. Integument is thick and opaque. Papillae microscopic, aligned roughly in transverse rows at anterior end of trunk. Single gonopore is located on conspicuous, rounded elevation of body wall, about 3 mm away from anterior end of trunk (Fig. 2C). Ventral setae absent.