Neopolynoe chondrocladiae explained

Neopolynoe chondrocladiae is a scale worm known from the north-east Atlantic Ocean at depths of about 700 to 2500 m.^{[1] [2]}

Description

Neopolynoe chondrocladiae can have up to around 94 segments with 15 pairs of elytra that bear a marginal fringe of papillae. The lateral antennae are inserted ventrally to prostomium, directly beneath the median antenna. The notochaetae are distinctly thicker than the neurochaetae and possess only simple tips.^[3]

Biology

Neopolynoe chondrocladiae has an obligate symbiotic relationship with the sponges Chondrocladia robertballardi and Chondrocladia virgata.^[4] The nature of the symbiotic relationship has been debated, but a 2021 study using a multidisciplinary approach suggested that the relationship is mutualistic, proposing that Neopolynoe chondrocladiae may use bioluminescence as a lure for prey which is consumed by both the worm and its sponge hosts.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Fauvel, Pierre. (1943). Deux polychètes nouvelles. Bulletin du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris. (Série 2) 15(4): 200-202, in-text figure 1., available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/52906546
2. Kirkegaard JB (2001) Deep-sea polychaetes from north-west Africa, including a description of a new species of Neopolynoe (Polynoidae). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 81: 391–397. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315401004003.
3. Taboada S, Silva AS, Neal L, Cristobo J, Ríos P, Alvarez-Campos P, Hestetun JT, Koutsouveli V, Sherlock E, Riesgo A (2019) Insights into the symbiotic relationship between scale worms and carnivorous sponges (Cladorhizidae, Chondrocladia). Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers: 103191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2019.103191
4. Taboada, Sergi. Serra Silva, Ana. Díez-Vives, Cristina. Neal, Lenka. Cristobo, Javier. Ríos, Pilar. Hestetun, Jon Thomassen. Clark, Brett. Rossi, Maria Eleonora. Junoy, Juan. Navarro, Joan. Riesgo, Ana. Sleeping with the enemy: unravelling the symbiotic relationships between the scale worm Neopolynoe chondrocladiae (Annelida: Polynoidae) and its carnivorous sponge hosts. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2021. 193. 1. 295–318. 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa146. 10261/253142. free.