| Clavisyllis alternata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
| Subclass: | Errantia |
| Order: | Phyllodocida |
| Family: | Syllidae |
| Genus: | Clavisyllis |
| Species: | C. alternata |
| Binomial name | |
| Clavisyllis alternata Knox, 1955 | |
Clavisyllis alternata is a species of marine polychaete annelid in the family Syllidae. It is found in New Zealand. [1] [2]
The species is vermiform (worm-shaped), with a strongly arched body that tapers posteriorly. It measures approximately 29 mm in length and 2.5 mm in width, with about 130 segments. In life, the body and cirri are orange-yellow, with red eyes. The prostomium is rounded with two pairs of large, black, oval eyes. It has three short, smooth tentacles of equal length. Distinctive features include two prominent, sinuous nuchal epaulettes, large ovoid dorsal and tentacular cirri, and compound setae with bidentate end pieces. The dorsal cirri alternate in position on the body wall, with smaller cirri inserted more dorsally and larger ones inserted more laterally. The parapodia have a prominent dorsal lobe. [2]
This species is endemic to New Zealand waters: around the North Island (port of New Plymouth) and the South Island (Menzies Bay, northern side of Banks Peninsula). [2] [1]
Marine, found in shallow waters to depths of about 8 meters. [1]
The specific epithet alternata refers to the alternate insertion and size of the dorsal cirri, with smaller cirri placed more dorsally and larger ones more laterally. [1]
It is the type species of the genus Clavisyllis , which was erected to accommodate it. The genus name Clavisyllis is derived from Latin, likely referring to a "key" feature (clavis) within the family Syllidae.
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