Sternaspis rietschi Caullery 1944

Deep-sea context derived from a specimen depth data search

Holotype (ZMA 1500) damaged; integument removed from several body regions; ventro-caudal shield previously removed. Introvert without integument over the first chaetigers, abdomen with integument and body wall broken laterally. Body papillae difficult to determine due to the poor condition of holotype (Fig. 12A). Body 18 mm long, 5 mm wide, about 29 segments. Prostomium hemispherical, opaque, tan in colour. Peristomium rounded, slightly raised at position of the mouth, without papillae. Mouth oval, covered by papillae, extends from anterior edge of segment 2 almost to prostomium (Fig. 12B). First three chaetigers with about six to ten large, and five or more smaller, bronze, widely separated, slightly falcate hooks; each with subdistal darker area (Fig. 12A, B). Genital papillae flattened, short protrude ventrally from intersegmental groove between segments 7 and 8. Pre-shield region with 7 segments, without fine capillary chaetae. Ventro-caudal shield previously removed, broken into three pieces; surface pale brown; ribs barely visible, concentric lines visible; suture probably indistinct (Fig. 12C). Anterior margins rounded; anterior depression shallow; anterior keels probably not exposed. Lateral margins medially expanded, reduced posteriorly. Fan truncate, margin crenulated, median notch shallow, or indistinct (shield plates previously separated). Marginal shield chaetal fascicles include ten lateral ones, chaetal pattern unknown, and five posterior fascicles, chaetal pattern unknown. Peg chaetae short, with a broad base in cross section, emerge from cuticle on a slightly raised mound. Additional chaetae delicate, between peg chaetae and first bundle of posterior chaetae. Branchiae lost; nature of branchial plates not determined.

Only known from the type locality, off Wokam Island, Indonesia, in about 1788 m depth.