Biremis blandi (Polychaeta: Terebellidae), new genus,new species,caught by D.S.R.V. “Alvin” in the Tongue of the Ocean,new providence,Bahamas

Biremis, n. gen., characterized by an enlarged cephalic lobe, achaetous thoracic segments, and abdominal bilobed uncinigerous pinnules, lacks eyes and branchiae and is, thus, grouped with the subfamily Polycirrinae of the Terebellidae. Biremis blandi, n. sp., has prominent longitudinal muscular ventral ridges, lacking ventral glandular scutes. The avicular uncini, arranged in a single row on each lobe of each abdominal pinnule, are very similar to those of Polycirrus. The new species, collected from D.S.R.V. Alvin, was observed resting on and swimming over the sloping walls of the Tongue of the Ocean (25° N; 77°35 W), at 600 m depth. Its ability to swim may be a requirement for survival on an unstable substratum.Contribution No. 2891 from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.