Sericosura verenae (Child 1987)

Ammothea verenae Child

Ammothea verenae Child, 1987:892–896, fig. 1.—Stock, 1991:158 [text].

Scipiolus thermophilus Turpaeva, 1988:950–953, figs. 1, 2. [New synonymy.]

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—CALIFORNIA: R/V Sea Cliff, Dive 764 (4 with eggs, 3, 4, 4 juv).

DISTRIBUTION.—This species was described from specimens taken on the Explorer and Juan de Fuca Ridges of the northeast Pacific in 1570–2250 m. Turpaeva's specimens were taken also from the Juan de Fuca Ridge in 1800 m. The above lot extends this distribution slightly to the south and to the much greater depth of about 3500 m, the species' deepest known depth. This lot was also taken in an area of hydrothermal vents off northern California which suggests, since all specimens of this species are known only from such vents, that it is endemic to hydrothermal vent areas, at least to those in the northeast Pacific.

DIAGNOSIS.—An atypical member of genus, species without dorsomedian trunk tubercles and with very low, blind, ocular tubercle. Proboscis massive, constricted medially and distally; chelifores almost tiny compared with two massive proximal palp segments. Palps of nine segments, very setose distally as are distal segments of male oviger. Male legs with crowded field of lateral and ventral setae on third coxae and proximally on femorae while legs of females lack dense fields of setae. Propodi bear similar sole and heel spines with no major or larger spines.