Sorry guys, I have been off e-mail for a while. There are actually
several possibilities for the "palolo" in that area. It could be Palola viridis
(DO NOT USE Eunice, please; it is definitely a distinct, separate
genus). It could also be Palola siciliensis, but also, quite confusing, one
or more species of Lysidice also swarm with the palolo's in most areas.
Thus, without specimens in hand, there is little to be done. Furthermore,
having just the swarming posterior ends does not help: Most of the major
features needed for identification are associated with the head end,
which remains buried in the coral/rubble environment. In addition, these
taxa are not really identificable without having complete atoke
specimens.
I know I am not helping a lot with this, but the situation is unfortunately not
simple. The exact details of the swarming varies from one island group
to the next. The classical early October swarming originally described is
not the only one. There are other island groups where the swarming
takes place in April; others in November and so forth. The pattern in
general remains closely linked to the lunar cycle, but can vary a bit in
how closely focused it is (i.e., how many days over which the swarming
occurs).
Kristian Fd
<Fauchald.Kristian at NMNH.SI.EDU>
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