March, 2001 SCAMIT Newsletter Vol. 19, No. 11 SUBJECT: Polychaeta: End of Volume 7 Discussions GUEST SPEAKER: Led by Leslie Harris DATE: 11 June 2001 TIME: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p. m. LOCATION: Worm Lab, Collections Room LACMNH For the next meeting,bring specimens of the as yet unfinished groups, Oweniidae, Trichobranchidae, and Terebellidae (in part), and any problematic specimens of other polychaete families. As usual, the polychaete type resources of the Allan Hancock Foundation, now at the Natural History Museum, will be available for consultation. The meeting will actually be held in the Collections Room, so late arrivers should go directly there (turn to the right at the “T” hallway intersection rather than to the left). NEW LITERATURE The sea-pansys, octocorals of the genus Renilla, were revised by Zamponi and Pérez (1995). Although their primary interest is in the fauna of the southwestern Atlantic and the sub- Notomastus “latericeus” - Ant. Detail Methyl Green Stained Antarctic, they did a world-wide revision. Our City of San Diego ITP I-2 Rep. 1 2Jan2001 108ft. local species, Renilla koellikeri (note the Tissue behind probosis (last abdominals shredded) removed in umlauted ö is no longer admissable in Photoshop to emphasize size of proboscis nomenclatural use and must be translitterated R. Rowe Max width 1.1mm & Length of thorax 4.5mm to oe) is not discussed, but is included in the FUNDS FOR THIS PUBLICATION PROVIDED, IN PART BY THE ARCO FOUNDATION, CHEVRON, USA, AND TEXACO INC. SCAMIT Newsletter is not deemed to be valid publication for formal taxonomic purposes. March, 2001 SCAMIT Newsletter Vol. 19, No. 11 key to the genus. It is instructive to follow importance, but the analysis provided both their review of the characters within the group. expected and surprising results. The Zamponi et al (1997) provide another similar monophyly of the Hydrozoa as a whole was overview (and adopt the translitteration well supported by comparison with outgroups mentioned above), which is further which included Anthozoa, Scyphozoa, Porifera, supplemented in Pérez & Ocampo (2001) with Ctenophora, Brachiopoda, Hemichordata, and a cladistic analysis. Placozoa. A second data set with Anthozoa and Scyphozoa as outgroups was used to examine Cladistic analysis of the Octocorallia as a relationships within the Hydrozoa more whole is undertaken by Berntson, Bayer, closely. Collins, in a careful discussion, McArthur & France (2001) based on 18S examines the results in light of the rRNA data. Unfortunately the data included phylogenetic hypotheses they either support, were not sufficient to resolve the branching refute, or incompletely address. Use of such order of the major clades, or alternatively, the molecular data provides a path around the existing morphological classification was not morass of confusion resulting from competing supported by the molecular data. Further systems based on the morphology of one or the attempts using different sequences seem other of the generations in the complex indicated. cnidarian life-cycle. That plenty of room for reconsideration of Pleijel 2001 provides a revision of the morphological data seems to exist, is evident in polychaete taxon Amphiduros which provides Brinckmann-Voss (2000). She describes a new parallel treatments of the results of his species of Sarsia in the paper, and clarifies an investigation using both traditional Linnean earlier representation of the hydroid stage as classification, and the rankless nomenclature Polyorchis penicillatus (see Brinckmann-Voss he champions. He finds Amphiduros pacificus 1977). Especially in forms with complex life- Hartman 1961, our local species, to fall into the history, such misinterpretations of the synonymy of Amphiduros fuscescens relationship of a given life stage are difficult to (Marenzeller 1875). So do all other nominate avoid. As more and more species are cultured species in Amphiduros. Pleijel indicates he can through both the hydroid and medusoid find no characters which will define the various generations in the laboratory (as in Mills local “species” populations well enough to 2000), such misallocations based on inferential allow their separation. He points out that this connection of field collected forms will finding of a single “cosmopolitan” taxon is gradually be eliminated from the picture, against much current practice. It is indeed at allowing further rectifications. In several variance with the usual perceptions of most groups (see for instance Brinckmann-Voss & SCAMIT members, that local species which Arai 1997) the hydroid stages of most species have at one time been identified with European are either unknown or virtually described forms, or forms from other distant indistinguishable, and the basis of locales, nearly always prove to be separable classification remains the medusoid generation. once examined in detail. Such The 18SrRNA gene which proved unable to cosmopolitanism is demonstrable in some provide the data necessary to resolve groups which have been examined with relationships within the Octocorallia, was more molecular methods and found to be genetically successfully applied to the phylogeny of the identical or to vary only slightly in genetic Hydrozoa by Collins (2000). Perhaps makeup. Most SCAMIT members remain differences in the individual sequences chosen Missourian in this regard, only accepting did the trick, or perhaps other factors were of cosmopolitan explanations when proof is “as plain as the nose on your face”. Our approach 2 March, 2001 SCAMIT Newsletter Vol. 19, No. 11 is in harmony with that espoused by J. L. BACK FROM THE COLD Barnard, that oversplit taxa can be combined if shown to be inseparable without loss of On 30 March Larry Lovell assembled a group information, while the reverse is not true. of taxonomists in the SIO Invertebrate Collection to examine material returned from Although we have attempted to concentrate on his recent cruise, and other Antarctic materials more adult individuals, at least in regional in the Scripps collection. This was Antarctic monitoring activites, the early juvenile Play Day #1, although the main objective was development of ophiuroids remains a matter of work. Work got done, but there was plenty of interest. Sumida, Tyler & Billett (2001) cover enjoyment to go around. Doug Diener and a similar topic (asteroids rather than Don Cadien worked on peracarids and ophiuroids) from the Northeast Atlantic. pycnogonids, respectively; John Ljubenkov Although none of the taxa considered occurs in worked the cnidarians; Megan Lilly tackled our area, several of the genera are represented ophiurans; Ron Velarde, Kelvin Barwick and both here and in their area. Their discussions Larry worked on various polychaetes; Kent of developmental patterns in small juveniles of Trego continued on mollusks; and Tony these species is of interest to us here. Phillips spread himself thinly over a number of taxa. Robin Gartman similarly played the ELECTIONS taxonomic field. Oh!, for malfunctioning machinery and Larry had everything well prepared for this hanging chads to give some excitement to this visitation, and treated his guest workers well. process! Voter participation in the current He had assembled some of the pertinent election has hit a new low. Fortunately for us, literature from sources within the invertebrate even zero votes would have yielded the same collections area and from the adjacent Scripps result; continuation of the same slate of Library. This was supplemented with literature officers. This is not really a failure of brought by the participants. Inevitably, some democracy, but rather a triumph of lethargy bits of the diffuse literature were missing. (which the lateness of the Newsletters hasn’t Enough was available to allow identification or helped). I urge readers to immediately make confirmation of prior identification on a plans to run for office in the next election. number of taxa. We broke for lunch and This is not intended as a move to pursue an resumed a bit later after a wonderful Thai meal. ideologically more attractive set of policies, but The day ended all too soon, with much material rather as a method of bringing choice back into yet to be addressed. Larry and the other the process. Ann Dalkey has indicated [Ann participants were enthusiastic about making correct me if I am wrong] that this will be the this only the first of a series of forays into the final year of her service as treasurer. Scripps collections. A second “play day” is Fortunately we do have a member who has currently scheduled for the 2nd of June. Any stated a willingness to work with her this year SCAMIT members interested in attending are so that she can fill the large gap left by Ann’s welcome, as are other workers who can assist retirement from office. Other officers seem with the taxonomy of this interesting and willing to continue (so far) but the process exotic fauna. If you plan to attend please would benefit from at least a little competition. contact Larry at [email protected] so he Think it over, then act for the benefit of us all - can figure how much coffee to brew, how including yourself. many donuts to buy, and how many microscopes will be needed. 3 March, 2001 SCAMIT Newsletter Vol. 19, No. 11 MINUTES MARCH 19 MEETING the morphological terminology used in the literature. Her SCAMIT presentation and The meeting was held at the San Diego Marine handouts define and consequently clarify the Biology Laboratory. President Ron Velarde usage of several important terms. opened the business portion of the meeting. He announced that the next meeting will be May After an interesting slide show presenting her 14 at the Natural History Museum in Santa “Notes on Morphology of Capitellids” and Barbara. The topic will be problem bivalves. illustrations, we examined some specimens that There are 3 upcoming meetings. On May 4-5, Karen brought. Karen used the specimens to the Southern California Academy of Sciences demonstrate the appearance and location of meeting will be held at California State some of the structures that have been confused University, Los Angeles.