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Urechis novae-zealandiae (Dendy)
Echiurus novae-zealandiae Dendy, 1897, p. 32.
Records: New Brighton Beach, washed ashore after a storm, A. Dendy, 25/8/97, 3 specimens (C.M.); Lyttelton, M. McLeod, 1 specimen (C.M.); off Banks Peninsula, 20 fathoms, E. W. Bennett, 1927, 3 specimens (C.M.); Port Howard, found
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Fig. 1.—Lateral view of a large specimen from Lyttelton, 230 mm long.
Fig. 2.—Dissection of a contracted specimen from above showing the long convoluted intestine. The nephridia are greatly distended with sperm and the coelomic apertures are recognizable by the conspicuous coiled lips. The figures in sequence on the intestine are intended to aid in following the convolutions; 12 is at the junction of the midgut and its terminal specialized portion, the respiratory gut. The principal mesenteric bands which anchor the intestine are shown, but not lettered AS, anterior setae, AV, anal vesicles; C, crop, CL, cloaca; the posterior portion lined with heavy longitudinal ridges, G, gizzard; HG, respiratory gut; N, nephridium; NC, nerve cord; O, oesophagus; P, proboscis; PH, pharynx; PS, posterior or anal setae; S, stomach; SI, siphon or accessory intestine; SG, slime gland.
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Fig. 3.—Dissection to show the generically characteristic parts of the alimentary canal, most of the “small intestine” having been removed. Attachment of the respiratory gut is always to the left of the nerve cord.
Fig. 4.—Pharynx contracted and split open along its ventral side to show the straight longitudinal folds continuous with those of the proboscis. Posteriorly is shown the characteristic lining of the oesophagus.
Fig. 5.—Anterior end of the respiratory gut showing the mode of attachment of the muscular mesenteries.
AV, anal vesicle; C, crop; G, gizzard, HG, hind gut; IB, cut interbasal muscle; M1, mesentery of the crop; M2, mesentery of the stomach; of anterior setae; N, nephridium; NC, nerve cord; O, oesophagus; P, pharynx; S, stomach; SI, commencement of the siphon; SS, setal sac; RM, radiating muscles of the anterior setae; VM, ventral mesentery of the pharynx.
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washed ashore after a heavy southerly, G. Lawn, 17/2/47, 1 specimen (D.M.); Port Gore, 13/3/56, 1 specimen (D.M.); Auckland Harbour, A. W. B. Powell, 1 specimen from suction dredge in 3–4 fathoms (A.M.); Stewart Island from cod stomach, W. Traill, December, 1915, 1 specimen (O.M.); off Mokau River, from stomach of dogfish, 3 specimens (O.M.); south of Bluff, H. Suter, 1 specimen (O.M.); Cook Strait, from stomachs of dogfish trawled in approximately 40 fathoms, 8 specimens (V.U.C.).*
Diagnosis. Differing from U. chilensis in the following particulars: anterior setae with a tapered, pointed tip; lining to the mouth cavity and pharynx thrown into continuous, prominent, longitudinal folds which do not become zig-zag, but at the beginning of the oesophagus pass abruptly to rugose transverse folds; siphon commencing 2–3 mm from the end of the stomach. Differing from U. uncinatus, which averages 70–80 mm, in attaining a much greater size. The proportions of the regions of the foregut show considerable differences from those found in the other species, the oesophagus and stomach being twice the length recorded by Fisher for U. caupo. The post siphonal intestine is also considerably longer than in U. caupo. Differing from U. caupo and U. chilensis in that the nephridia are reduced to two pairs with a single member of the third posterior pair sometimes present.
[Footnote] * C. M, Canterbury Museum; D. M, Dominion Museum, O. M, Otago Museum; V.U.C. Victoria University College.