Meeting Abstract

P3.5  Jan. 6  Natural history of a new species Polydora (Polychaeta: Spionidae) associated with hermit crabs from Jamaica, West Indies LUZAK, L.D.**; WILLIAMS, J.D.; Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY; Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY laraluzak@gmail.com

A new species of Polydora was found associated with hermit crabs from shallow subtidal coral reef areas of Jamaica, West Indies during 2005 and 2006. In total, 195 hermit crabs were collected by hand while snorkeling and examined for the presence of the worms. The species is found in approximately 20% of the gastropod shells inhabited by hermit crabs (>90% were Calcinus tibicen). No live gastropods from the same localities as the hermit crabs harbored the worms. Polydora n. sp. produces a hole in the apex of the shell that connects with a tube of detritus and mucus and winds around the columella leading to an opening in the lumen of the upper whorls of the shell (most commonly Leucozonia nassa leucozonalis and Tegula fasciata). One large female (up to 70 segments) is found in the apex with up to 4 smaller males (generally <30 segments). The males create burrows within the detrital matrix of the female�s tube. Females of Polydora n. sp. can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the morphology of the major spines of the fifth segment (with two defined accessory teeth) and occipital tentacle. The males are small and lack notopodia, neuropodia, and setae on segment one. This type of sexual dimorphism has not been previously observed within the polydorids. Results of SEM studies comparing the morphology of male and female worms will be presented. This new species represents the fourth known obligate commensal polydorid of hermit crabs.