Three
Poecilochaetus species occurring in N.Z. waters are described.
Poecilochaetus trachyderma n. sp. is similar to
P. fulgoris Claparède;
P. aff.
bermudensis Hartman and
P. sp. 3 are previously unrecorded species, but as yet only anterior fragments have been obtained. Setal microstructures were examined by scanning electron microscopy.
P. trachyderma and
P. aff.
bermudensis have distinctive capillary setae with nested spiral palisades of fused spinules.
P. aff.
bermudensis has hispid-pappose capillaries with twin accessory spines. A key to the family is given.
