Polychaeta taxon details
Holotype USNM 16114, geounit Mayaguez [details]
From editor or global species database
Depth range 402-411 m. [details]
Distribution Western Atlantic Ocean: Caribbean Sea (off Puerto Rico). [details]
Etymology Not stated in the original description. The specific epithet crassibranchiatus is composed by the Latin adjective crassus, meaning 'dense', 'thick', or 'gross', and the Latin adjective branchiatus, meaning 'having branchiae' or 'branchiate', as refers presumably to the shape of the branchiae, described as "straight thick filaments" (Treadwell, 1901: 206). [details]
Habitat Type of sediment unknown, at slope and bathyal depths. [details]
Specimen Holotype USNM 16114 (1) Mayaguez Harbor, Off Custom Harbor, Puerto Rico, 21.VI.1899. Sta. (142) 6070; 402–411m [details]
Status Thelepus crassibranchiatus was synonymized by Hartman (1959) with Thelepus cincinnatus. Holthe (1986b) followed this. Nevertheless, after the revision of material of T. cincinnatus from Sweden (USNM 79669 (5) North Atlantic Ocean, Sweden, Loken, Skagerrak, 14.VI.1967; 37m. USNM 79670 (7) North Atlantic Ocean, Sweden, Smörkullen, Gullmar Fjord, 15.VI.1967; 40m), near the type locality (Greenland), there are important differences, which justify considering T. crassibranchiatus as a valid species [details]
Type locality Off Custom House, Mayagüez Harbor, Puerto Rico, Caribbean Sea (gazetteer estimate 18.242°, -67.351°). [details]
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