Morphology and Life History of Ophryotrocha maculata sp. n. (Polychaeta, Dorvilleidae)

The type locality of the new species is a muddy bottom at a depth of 25 meters in the Gullmarsfjord on the Swedish west coast. On that locality the fauna is recovering from previous sulphite pulp mill pollution. The shape and morphology of O. maculata conform with most other members of the species. It is distinguished by segmental transverse rows of dark spots. It is a contemporary hermaphrodite with anterior male and posterior female segments. Different from other known species the germ cells are released directly into the water. As a consequence the brood is not protected by the parents.