On the reproductive organs of Pisione remota (Southern), together with a review of the family Pisionidae (Polychaeta)

Abstract

1. The occurrence of Pisione remota (Southern) in the tropical environment at Madras is recorded and the external characters of specimens from Madras compared with those from Irish waters. 2. The reproductive structures in the two sexes have been described in detail. 3. While distinct specific features are found in the detailed structure of the accessory reproductive processes, a strong resemblance to the condition inP. gopalai and P. complexa is observed. 4. The salient features of the four valid species of the genusPisione have been tabulated and based on this the generic characters have been revised. 5. The affinities of the family Pisionidae have been considered in the light of our knowledge of the anatomy ofPisionidens indica, Pisione gopalai, P. complexa and P. remota, and probable relationship to the Phyllodocidae, the Glyceridae and the Nephthydidae has been indicated. 6. A revised statement of the characters of the family Pisionidae has been given, incorporating in it our knowledge of the internal morphology of the species included in the same.