A New Species of Polychaetous Annelid (Arabellidae) Parasitic in Diopatra ornata (Onuphidae) from Southern California

Abstract

A new species of polychaetous annelid of the family Arabcllidae is described. Various sizes were found parasitic in the coelomic cavity of a single specimen of the onuphid polychaete Diopatra ornata collected near Port Hueneme. Movement of the parasite may occur through the septal walls of the host hut not laterally through the dorsal or ventral mesenteries.