Table 2 Comparison of distribution, habitat and selected internal and external characters of diagnostic value within the genus Protoglossus (compiled from Burdon-Jones 1956; Giray and King 1996; Deland et al. 2010)
Protoglossus bocki n.sp. | Protoglossus koehleri (Caullery and Mesnil, 1900) | Protoglossus graveolens Giray and King, 1996 | Protoglossus mackei Deland et al. 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Distribution | Boreal (Skagerak, Norwegian Sea) | Lusitanian (French Atlantic coast, Irish Sea) | NW Atlantic, Maine, USA | Pacific; Moss Beach, San Mateo, California, |
Depth | Sublittoral, 30–150 m | Intertidal | Intertidal | Probably intertidal |
Bottom type | Clay | Sand, gravel | Mudflat | Probably sand |
Max body length (mm) | c. 15 | 75 | 470 | 25 |
# of gill pores | 9–17 | 14–50 | >100 | |
Proboscis colouration | Uniformly light pink to golden yellow | Yellow with dark green spots | Cream-white | White |
Proboscis stalk colouration | Light, whitish | Dark green or dark brown | ||
Collar colouration | White with transversal yellow bands | Yellow with dark green spots | Cream-white to orange-brown | Yellow |
Trunk colouration | Uniformly light golden yellow | Pigmentation of different colours | Branchial region translucent yellow to light yellow-brown; hepatic region brown; intestinal region pale yellow, fades posteriorly | White |
Dorsal mesenterium above the pericardium | Absent | Well developed | Large and well developed | Lower half large and well developed, upper half tapering |