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Show 1904.] MARIXE FAUNA OF ZANZIBAR. 297 EUNICE COCCINEA Grube. (Plate XX. figs. 6, 7.) Eunice coccinea, Grube, Annulata Semperiana, p. 153, Taf. ix. fig. 1. The facts that this species is one of those with few salient characteristics and is already recorded from the Philippines, Singapore, and East Africa, make it probable that a still wider distribution could be given were its synonymy fully worked out. Grube hints at this in comparing his species with E. guildingi Baird and E. punctulata Gr. Orsd., both West Indian forms, the descriptions of which, however, are too hasty to be of use. Much weight is laid on the size of the gills, which is here, as in all other species, found to be very variable. The proportions of the body and distribution of the gills offer the most marked distinctions between this species and E. afra, the pigmentation (as seen in spirit-specimens), prostomium and tentacles, structure of gills and setae being almost identical in both. The parapodia differ in being smaller, especially posteriorly, and the dorsal cirri are better developed in the anterior part of the body. Full-grown specimens are of nearly the same size as those of E. afra, but with a much greater bulk anteriorly though having less behind. The following list * gives the sizes of the specimens from the several localities in the Maldives:- (1) Nairfaru, Fadiffolu Atoll, reef: one specimen incomplete, 11 m m . broad, and a fragment. (2) Hulule, Male Atoll, reef: one specimen, 210 x 7 mm. ; also a fragment. (3) Off South Nilandu, from 24 fathoms : one, incomplete, 7 m m . broad. (4) Off Hulule, Male Atoll, from reef and sand-flats : one small incomplete specimen, 3"5 m m . broad. Fragments were also found in sand under boulders on Minikoi reef.. The East African specimens, none of which attain to the size reached by those from the Maldives and Seychelles, were collected as follows :- (1) Prison Island, Zanzibar Harbour, at low tide; two fair-sized specimens, 7 m m . broad (at maximum). (2) Ditto, in 3 fathoms off the north end of the island; one specimen, 4 m m . broad. (3) Kokotoni Harbour, Zanzibar, 5 fathoms; a very small specimen, 2'3 m m . broad. (4) Zanzibar Channel near its northern end, 10-15 fathoms ; one specimen, 6 m m . broad. (5) Mombasa Harbour, at low tide; two specimens, 4 mm. (6) Wasin Harbour, 10 fathoms ; one specimen, 4-5 mm. (7) Seven large specimens collected by Dr. E. P. Wright in the Seychelles in 1868. * See also the table on p. 284, |
