DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1293.204408

Authors: Saiyu Qiao, Jiangni Li, Yufeng Zhang, Nonillon M. Aspe, Huifeng Zhao

Abstract: The family Moniligastridae Claus, 1880 remains taxonomically poorly resolved, and its actual species diversity is likely severely underestimated. Despite its ecological significance as an East Asian endemic species, Drawida gisti Michaelsen, 1931 has been studied almost exclusively from non-taxonomic perspectives. Consequently, its species boundaries remain poorly understood. Here, we formally establish the Drawida gisti species complex (DiSC), comprising eight morphologically and geographically related species. We employed an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphology and molecular data to examine specimens of DiSC from northeastern China, leading to the description of a new species, Drawida xuqini sp. nov. The new species is characterized by a colorless body in alcohol, 3–5 gizzards, M-shaped prostates, a very short and uncoiled vas deferens, and thick penes with a swollen base and blunt, rounded apex. Phylogenetic analyses based on 13 protein-coding genes of the mitochondrial genome of Drawida employing two molecular species delimitation methods—Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP), and Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography (BPP)—recovered D. xuqini sp. nov. as a monophyletic lineage, and COI genetic distances (19.4–22.0% between D. xuqini sp. nov. and D. gisti gisti) confirmed the species status of D. xuqini sp. nov. Additionally, we provide an updated redescription of D. gisti gisti based on newly examined specimens from multiple localities. Our findings highlight considerable external morphological plasticity in D. gisti gisti, which may likely be environmentally induced, and underscore the necessity of integrative approaches for accurate species delimitation in this group.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1293.208455

Authors: Cheah Hoay Chuar, Iffah Iesa, Tashfia Raquib

Abstract: A new species of deep-sea polynoid, Bathyeliasona oceanxplorer sp. nov., is described from the abyssal plain located in international waters between Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean from a single specimen collected at a depth of 4977 m. The new species is characterised using morphology and molecular data from four genetic markers (COI, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA). Bathyeliasona oceanxplorer sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters, including the possession of 18 segments, slender frontal filaments, the presence of a buccal bulb, and ventral pygidial lobes with weakly undulate margins. This is the first species of Bathyeliasona for which the elytra are described and illustrated. This finding highlights the great value of ROV-based sampling for recovering comparatively intact deep-sea polynoid specimen with most delicate features preserved.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1292.203560

Authors: Jun-Hui Lin, María E. García-Garza, Shu-Yi Zhang, He-Shan Lin

Abstract: The annelid family Capitellidae Grube, 1862 remains poorly known in China, with only a few taxa reported to date. Based on specimens collected from coastal zones during recent ecological surveys, we describe two new species belonging to two small genera of Capitellidae. Barantolla multibranchia sp. nov. is superficially similar to B. sculpta Southern, 1921 in bearing dorsal branchiae on the posterior abdomen, a complete chaetiger 1, and an areolated epithelium on the anterior thorax, but it differs from the latter in having mixed chaetae in both rami of chaetiger 6 and in lacking cuticular sculpturing. Parheteromastus simplex sp. nov. represents the second species in this small genus. It resembles its congener in lacking branchiae and in having reduced parapodial lobes in the abdomen but differs in possessing an areolated epithelium extending from the peristomium to chaetiger 3, a distinct constriction between the thorax and abdomen, and a short prostomial palpode. Multiple gene markers and methyl green staining patterns are provided for both species. Notably, B. multibranchia sp. nov. exhibited intraspecific divergence in COI sequences among collection localities.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1287.198002

Authors: Won-Kyung Lee, Se-Joo Kim

Abstract: The tribe Lepidonotopodini (Polychaeta, Polynoidae) consists of 61 species in 12 genera. Species in this tribe lack eyes and lateral antennae and exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism; some have external branchiae. Here, we report new records of three species of Lepidonotopodini—Cladopolynoe jiaolongae, Photinopolynoe kaireiensis, and Themis longqiensis—from hydrothermal vents on the northern Central Indian Ridge (nCIR) based on morphological characteristics and COI barcodes. Morphological characters missing in the original description papers are also provided here to complement and refine these species’ diagnoses. The COI barcodes of all three species showed low intraspecific divergence (0.00–1.55%), substantially lower than interspecific divergence within the genus (7.77–24.47%). These findings expand the known distribution ranges and clarify the species boundaries of these taxa in nCIR vent fields. Consequently, this study contributes to a better understanding of regional biodiversity and helps establish biological baselines for environmental management within the contract areas.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1286.196760

Authors: Csaba Csuzdi, Malalatiana Razafindrakoto, Yong Hong

Abstract: A new effort in 2025 to collect earthworms in northern Madagascar resulted in the discovery of a new species of Kynotus, a genus belonging to the endemic family Kynotidae, as well as the rediscovery of K. darwinii, the type species of Kynotus. The latter species had not been collected since its original reports in the late 19th century. With the description of the new species, Kynotus insularis sp. nov., the family Kynotidae now has 23 species. New DNA barcode sequences were generated for both species, confirming their distinctness and further demonstrating the high efficiency of the COI barcode region in identifying Kynotus species. An identification key to the currently known kynotid species is also presented.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1286.201330

Authors: Tímea Szederjesi, Tomáš Pavlíček, Angelika Kliszcz, Csaba Csuzdi

Abstract: With approximately 115 described species, Dendrobaena is the most species-rich genus within the family Lumbricidae and is probably also the most heterogeneous, both morphologically and geographically. Early attempts at morphological revision led to the separation of some morphologically homogeneous groups as separate genera, such as Fitzingeria and Satchellius. Although molecular phylogenetic approaches are now widely applied, relatively few studies have focused on Dendrobaena, and those have generally been limited to the revision of individual species groups. To address this gap, we employed an integrative approach combining molecular and morphological data. Our dataset includes 40 Dendrobaena taxa from diverse regions of Europe and Asia, several Eisenia species representing their entire geographic range, and representatives of related genera (Dendrodriloides, Healyella, and Spermophorodrilus). Our results indicate the potential polyphyly of both Dendrobaena and Eisenia, with E. ebneri and related species forming a clade with Caucasian Dendrodriloides species instead of Eisenia s. str. This clade also includes Dendrobaena veneta and closely related taxa. Within Dendrobaena, five distinct clades were recovered. According to our results, the lineage comprising former Fitzingeria species and allied taxa, and also the D. byblica species group together with Philomontanus baloutchi, do not belong to the Dendrobaena s. str. clade.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1285.192248

Authors: Pingping Xu, Yufeng Zhang, Xin Shu, Dayong Han, Huifeng Zhao

Abstract: The present study focuses on the taxonomy of the earthworm genus Eisenia Ealm, 1877 in China. The taxonomic framework for this genus in China has long been ambiguous, with studies in the northwestern region being particularly scarce. Prior to this research, only four subspecies within the Eisenia nordenskioldi (Eisen, 1879) complex, distributed across northeastern and northern China, had been described. Based on detailed morphological characteristics and molecular data, this paper describes a new species, E. ilensis sp. nov., collected from the Ili River valley in northwestern China. The key diagnostic characteristics of this new species include a medium body length (37–103 mm); two pairs of small, spherical spermathecae without ducts, located at the inter-segmental furrows 9/10 and 10/11; a pair of small, circular tubercula pubertatis on the clitellum situated between the ab setae; the first of dorsal pore beginning at the 4/5 inter-segmental furrow; and a pair of slit-like male pores on segment XV. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitogenomic protein coding genes indicate that E. ilensis sp. nov. forms a distinct clade with E. balatonica Pop, 1943 supporting its status as an independent species and a basal evolutionary status. The discovery of the new species of E. ilensis sp. nov. not only enriches the species diversity of the genus Eisenia in China but also provides a crucial taxonomic foundation for subsequent research into the evolution and dispersal history of this genus in Eurasia.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1283.168195

Authors: Martha W. Everett, Anna Koroleva, Nicolas Straube, Nataliya Budaeva

Abstract: The scale worm genus Eunoe was investigated using an integrative taxonomic approach that combined multilocus DNA (COI, 16S rRNA, ITS2, and 28S rRNA) and detailed morphological data to address persistent uncertainty over generic limits in Polynoidae. Our phylogenetic analyses support Eunoe sensu stricto as a clade comprising six species: Eunoe nodosa (the type species), E. oerstedi, E. cf. oerstedi CMC01 (a putative undescribed species), E. ciliata comb. nov. (formerly placed in Gattyana), E. shirikishinai, and E. spinicirris. The remaining fifteen species currently assigned to Eunoe were recovered outside Eunoe s. str. and were scattered across the inferred phylogeny. Their placement does not allow confident assignment to other polynoid genera. In this study, we redescribe E. nodosa and E. oerstedi, designate lectotypes for both species, and generate sequence data from the lectotype of E. oerstedi using museomics methods. Based on our morphological analysis, five additional species likely belonging to Eunoe s. str. are also identified: E. barbata, E. hydroidopapillata, E. hozawai, E. sentiformis, and E. spinosa. Our findings suggest that Eunoe s. str. can be characterized by the presence of macrotubercles on elytra and the dorsal or dorsolateral placement of the anterior pair of eyes. In contrast, the ventral position of the anterior pair of eyes is a diagnostic character of Gattyana s. str. We also corroborate earlier evidence for the polyphyly of Harmothoe, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive taxonomic revision of generic boundaries in Polynoidae.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1282.191792

Authors: Eijiroh Nishi, Genki Kobayashi, Naoto Jimi, Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Elena K. Kupriyanova

Abstract: A new species of Phalacrostemma (Annelida, Sabellariidae) is described based on the specimens collected at a depth of 675 m on the Ritto Seamount of the West Mariana Ridge, northwestern Pacific. This record represents both the deepest occurrence of Sabellariidae in Japan and the first record of the genus Phalacrostemma from the region. Phalacrostemma ritto sp. nov. dwells in a tube made of small sand particles and foraminiferans, which is attached to the spines of a cidarid sea urchin. The new species is characterized by having 22–30 pairs of outer paleae arranged in a spiral, outer paleae with acute tips and compact thecae, one or two inner paleae in each row, 8–13 opercular papillae on each side, five pairs of nuchal hooks with curved tips, a pair of slender ventral lobes on the first chaetiger, a single pair of conical papillae on the second chaetiger, bilobed notopodia in the middle to posterior abdomen, and abdominal uncini bearing three rows of teeth. A phylogenetic analysis, which included the new species and the newly sequenced Idanthyrsus okudai and Sabellaria isumiensis and was based on sequences of four gene fragments (COI, 16S, 18S, and 28S), was conducted. The new species was nested within the fully supported Phalacrostemma clade and recovered as the sister taxon to Gesaia csiro, whereas support values for phylogenetic relationships among sabellariid species were generally low.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1278.187038

Authors: SaiYu Qiao, Feng Zhang, Yaoguang Qin, Yufeng Zhang, Huifeng Zhao

Abstract: The Drawida japonica (Michaelsen, 1892) species complex is widely distributed across Asia, yet its taxonomy remains challenging due to morphological conservatism and cryptic diversity. Using an integrative taxonomic approach, a new species, Drawida wuxiensis Qiao & Zhao, sp. nov., is described from the Yintiaoling National Nature Reserve in Chongqing, China. The new species is characterized by its small body size (22.0–47.0 mm), the absence of dorsal and female pores, and a unique comma-shaped spermathecae distinguished from the similar species D. japonica sensu stricto, D. henanensis Liu & Zhao, 2025, and D. sinensis Liu & Zhao, 2025 within the same complex. Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP), the Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) phylogenetic approach, and Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography (BPP) yielded congruent results recognizing the new species. Significant K2P genetic distances (18.0–19.9%) from related species also further corroborate its validity. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, incorporating 13 protein-coding genes from the mitochondrial genome and four nuclear loci, collectively support its stable basal phylogenetic position and further confirm its species status as an early-diverging lineage. This study revises the diversity profile of the D. japonica species complex and underscores the importance of integrating multiple lines of evidence for resolving species boundaries.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1278.182033

Authors: Yehoshafati Elton Anton, Amiri Rajabu Mohamedi, Yongjiu Chen

Abstract: Arabella is the second-most diverse genus in the family Oenonidae, with about 50 species known so far. However, until now, there has been no detailed taxonomic information on Arabella species in the East China Sea. In this study, we describe a new species, Arabella gouqi sp. nov., discovered in the sea off Gouqi Island, Zhejiang, China, using integrated morphological and molecular evidence. This species is characterized by the following features: a pygidium with two swollen pads, short notopodial cirri, a bifid robust left and a gracile falcate right maxilla I (MxI), short left and long right maxilla II (MxII), a posterior postchaetal lobe shorter than the chaetae, and gradually tapering of the ventralmost chaetae. Phylogenetic analysis based on both COI and 16S rDNA gene sequences showed that A. gouqi sp. nov. forms a distinct, fully supported monophyletic clade. These findings were further supported by substantial Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) genetic distances between the new species and other reported Arabella species, which ranged from 9.9% to 24.2% for COI and from 5.5% to 25.2% for 16S rDNA. This study provides essential data for understanding the taxonomy of Arabella in the East China Sea and emphasizes the need for further research on this group in the region.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1278.176443

Authors: Jeffrey A. Sibaja-Cordero, Waiomi Miranda-García

Abstract: Errant polychaetes of the family Sigalionidae are active, scale-covered predators inhabiting sandy marine bottoms. Knowledge of this family in tropical America is scarce, with only a few species reported from Costa Rica. In this study, seven specimens of Sthenelais were collected from the intertidal zone of Playa Naranjo, Área de Conservación Guanacaste, on the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Morphological examinations and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses based on DNA barcoding (COI) were conducted to determine their taxonomic identity. The specimens were recovered within the Sthenelais clade, forming a distinct and well-supported subclade that includes S. limicola from Europe and representatives from Asia, and that differs from western Pacific congeners. Morphologically, the new species Sthenelais onca sp. nov. differs from other Eastern Tropical Pacific congeners by the absence of serrations on the shafts of neurochaetae throughout the body, stylodes without papillae, and anterior elytra bearing a notch on the supra-interior margin that diminishes posteriorly. The species inhabits saturated sand in the intertidal zone and exhibits a unique elytral coloration pattern reminiscent of a jaguar’s coat. This study describes a new species of Sthenelais from sandy beaches of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and provides an updated identification key for the genus in the region, expanding the known diversity and distribution of Sigalionidae in the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1278.182854

Authors: Qingyu Liu, Huifeng Zhao, Nonillon M. Aspe, Yufeng Zhang, Wenqi Zhang, Zhenjiang Zhang, Yanjie Dong

Abstract: This study describes a new species, Metaphire wenanensis Liu & Zhao, sp. nov. integrating morphological characters and molecular data. The new species is assigned to the M. houlleti group, and is characterized by three pairs of spermathecal pores at 6/7–8/9, and absence of genital markings both anterior and posterior to the clitellum. The spermathecae are connected to the body wall through a disc-shaped atrium, which is interposed between them and the body wall. The molecular phylogenetic position of M. wenanensis Liu & Zhao, sp. nov. within the M. houlleti group was analyzed using mitochondrial genome data. This marks the initial documentation of a new species within the family Megascolecidae in northern China since the last decades.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1277.157678

Authors: Yong Hong, Samuel W. James

Abstract: We describe new species of the genus Pheretima from Catanduanes Island, Philippines. Pheretima lapulapui sp. nov. belongs to the Pheretima sangirensis group, with one pair of spermathecal pores in 7/8. Pheretima portiae sp. nov. belongs to the Pheretima urceolata group, with one pair of spermathecal pores in 5/6. Pheretima lapulapui sp. nov. has spermathecal pores 0.19–0.24 of the circumference apart and copulatory bursae openings 0.12–0.26 of the circumference apart. The intestinal origin in XVI, the vestigial typhlosole, the presence of a septum 8/9, and wedge-shaped pads surrounding the copulatory bursal openings separate Pheretima lapulapui sp. nov. from other species. Pheretima portiae sp. nov. is distinguished by spermathecal pores 0.16 of the circumference apart, copulatory bursae openings 0.24 of the circumference apart, unpigmented segmental equators, hearts in XI–XIII, and an intestinal origin in XV. Another taxon of the urceolata group, represented by a single individual, was briefly described but not named.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1276.173213

Authors: Miguel A. Meca, Anna Zhadan, Manal Al-Kandari, Nataliya Budaeva

Abstract: Leodamas chevalieri, the only Leodamas species reported in the Arabian region, was originally described from Senegal, western Africa. In this work, the morphological and genetic (COI and ITS2) variation of several populations of Leodamas from different localities in Kuwait, Oman, and western Africa were analyzed. The type material of L. chevalieri is described, and molecular data provided for specimens collected close to the type locality. Based on the molecular analysis, at least twelve lineages were recognized in the studied area (eight in the Arabian region and four in the western Africa), with L. chevalieri being a species complex composed of at least eleven lineages. The species name Leodamas chevalieri is assigned to the lineage found close to the type locality, restricting the species distribution to the coastal areas of Senegal. One lineage from off Kuwait was described as a new species, Leodamas edgari sp. nov., differing from L. chevalieri in fine chaetal characters. Another lineage was identified as Leodamas gracilis, originally described from Sri Lanka, representing a new record of this species for the Arabian region. Further investigation is needed to describe or to name the other lineages belonging to the L. chevalieri species complex. With the description of L. edgari sp. nov., the genus comprises 31 species worldwide. However, the number of discovered genetic lineages in this study indicates a high proportion of undescribed species diversity in the genus.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1270.177446

Authors: Lynette D. Wyant, Brendan A. Cruz, Aydanni D. Gonzalez, Joshua M. Kovalcik, Maria A. Carolus, Lauren C. Hutto, Hope Chutjian, Jude C. Roman, Anneau Cappelmann, John J. Ankney, Aidan Popp, James B. Wood, D. Tye Pettay, Mercer R. Brugler

Abstract: The Bermuda fireworm, Odontosyllis enopla Verrill, 1900, is a marine polychaete that displays a unique bioluminescent mating ritual. Despite the first sighting of O. enopla more than 534 years ago, molecular data have been limited. Several syllid mitogenomes are currently available; however, there are only three published genes for O. enopla: two partial mitochondrial genes (16S [508 bp] and cox1 [653 bp]; 1,161 bp total) and one partial nuclear gene (18S [1,339 bp]). This study bioinformatically mined previously published transcriptomes of O. enopla for mitochondrial reads and subsequently assembled and annotated a partial mitochondrial genome (10,172 bp). The partial mitogenome includes nine (of 13) protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, and seven (of 22) complete tRNAs. We place the Bermuda fireworm in phylogenetic context using all available syllid mitogenomes, analyze intraspecific variation among three female O. enopla partial mitogenomes, and propose a putative location for the mitochondrial origin of replication using a DNA Walker analysis.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1266.161903

Authors: Anne Charis N. Han, Nannan Zhao, Nonillon M. Aspe, Christian Jay R. Nob, Yufeng Zhang, Donghui Wu, Huifeng Zhao

Abstract: As part of a series of investigations on earthworm diversity conducted in northeastern China in recent years, a new species, Amynthas dandongensis Han & Zhao, sp. nov., has been discovered. It belongs to the A. corticis species group characterized by having four pairs of spermathecal pores in segments 5/6/7/8/9. The new species mainly differs from the other members of the A. corticis species group by its relatively small body size and the absence of male pores and genital markings in both the spermathecal and male pore regions. The interspecific pairwise COI genetic distances between A. dandongensis Han & Zhao, sp. nov. and the other closely related species ranged from 15% to 22%. Phylogenetic analyses using mitogenomic coding genes further explored the relationships within the A. corticis species group, clarifying the position of A. dandongensis Han & Zhao, sp. nov. in the group. Additionally, a new record of a cosmopolitan earthworm, Metaphire agrestis (= Amynthas agrestis) (Goto & Hatai, 1899) has been investigated in China. New sequences from specimens collected in northeastern China were analyzed together with “M. agrestis” and “A. agrestis” sequences available from GenBank to further explore phylogeographic relationship. The dataset of all M. agrestis sequences showed intraspecific genetic distances of 0–1%, consistent with the observed morphological similarities. Haplotype network analyses also revealed no genetic isolation among different populations of M. agrestis (= A. agrestis). Moreover, re-examination of previous descriptions and illustrations of the male pores of agrestis indicates that this species should be assigned to the genus Metaphire Sims & Easton, 1872, rather than Amynthas Kinberg, 1867.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1265.171206

Authors: Laetitia M. Gunton, Amanda Serpell-Stevens, Kashaf Riaz, Tammy Horton

Abstract: A new species of polychaete worm, Melinnopsis nathanieli sp. nov. (Annelida, Melinnidae), is described from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain in the northeast Atlantic at ~4850 m depth. Forty-two specimens were collected during RRS James Cook cruises JC247 and JC263 in 2023 and 2024 respectively. The new species is morphologically similar to Melinnopsis gardelli and Melinnopsis chadwicki, described from deep Australian waters, but differs from these species in having fewer (~ 16) abdominal uncini in a row compared with 30 in both M. gardelli and M. chadwicki. Phylogenetic relationships among the new species and other species in the family Melinnidae were assessed using the nuclear 18S, and the mitochondrial 16S and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragments. The new species is genetically distinct from all other species of Melinnopsis, where molecular data is available, and genetically most similar to M. gardelli (pairwise distance 3.5%). Tubes of M. nathanieli sp. nov. were observed to act as a biogenic substrate for Actiniaria and Ascidiacea. Seafloor images of Melinnopsis nathanieli sp. inc. at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain show the worm’s tube positioned perpendicular to the sediment surface, and the long buccal tentacle protruding from the tube. A table containing key characters of all known Melinnopsis species is presented. This is the first species of Melinnopsis to be described from the northeast Atlantic.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1264.170881

Authors: Min Liu, Pu Miao, Zheng Liu, Nonillon M. Aspe, Yufeng Zhang, Huifeng Zhao

Abstract: The Drawida japonica (Michaelsen, 1892) species complex is a cosmopolitan earthworm group that is widely distributed throughout Asia, and has a high degree of diversity. Nonetheless, the species composition of this species complex remains ambiguous due to limited taxonomic investigation. An integrative taxonomic approach, incorporating both morphological and molecular datasets, is herein applied to elucidate the D. japonica species complex across East Asia, with the objective of delimiting putative new species. External and internal morphological characters were examined for taxonomic identification. For molecular phylogenetic analysis, one mitochondrial marker, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), and three nuclear loci, namely 28S rRNA (28S), A-kinase anchor protein 17A (AKAP17), and flavin adenine dinucleotide synthetase 1 (FLAD1) were used. Species delimitation was performed using three complementary methodological frameworks: Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP), the Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) phylogenetic approach, and Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography (BPP). Congruent species boundaries were recovered across all analyses, with the single exception of the GMYC model applied to the mitochondrial COI data set. Furthermore, the interspecific K2P genetic distance exceeded 15%. This study has delimited two new species, namely D. henanensis sp. nov. and D. sinensis sp. nov. The two new species represent the first additions to the species complex in the past decade, thereby significantly contributing to our understanding of Drawida earthworm diversity in Asia.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1264.170411

Authors: Fernando Belvis, M. Rosario Martín-Hervás, Irene del Olmo, Víctor Ruiz, Patricia Álvarez-Campos

Abstract: Reports of cases of cryptic and pseudocryptic speciation have increased in the last decade among marine invertebrates thanks to the use of integrative taxonomy that combines all available data sources to correctly establish species boundaries, now routinely incorporated into classical taxonomical studies. This approach has enhanced our understanding of the real biodiversity of a given area, which has fundamental implications for conservation and management of marine ecosystems. Among polychaete annelids, considered one of the most ubiquitous and abundant groups in our oceans, there are numerous documented cases of cryptic and pseudocryptic speciation, mainly in those highly diverse families as Syllidae Grube, 1850. One of the most recent cases of species complex has been reported in Syllis prolifera Krohn, 1852 – traditionally considered a widespread, cosmopolitan species – and now recognised as a pseudocryptic complex in the western Mediterranean Sea. However, its broader distribution suggests that additional pseudocryptic lineages may exist in other regions of the Mediterranean basin. In this study, newly collected specimens from the Greek islands of Crete and Mykonos are combined with all previously published data on the S. prolifera complex, aiming to assess the existence of additional putative Mediterranean species. Combining morphological, biogeographical, and molecular data (COI, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA markers) the presence of at least three more novel lineages for the eastern Mediterranean Sea is revealed. However, unlike previous studies, no clear diagnostic morphological characters were found for each lineage, suggesting that the complex includes both pseudocryptic and cryptic potential new species. Our results further reinforce the view that species diversity within the family Syllidae remains underestimated and highlight the necessity of integrative studies to accurately assess marine invertebrate biodiversity.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1261.162279

Authors: Gerardo Torres-Carrera, Lucas Duarte-De Lima, Alejandro Oceguera-Figueroa

Abstract: Freshwater leeches of the genus Helobdella Blanchard, 1896 (Annelida: Clitellata) are widely distributed in the New World, with most of the species occurring in the neotropics and a single species native to Europe. Species of the genus are characterized by the presence of an eversible proboscis, dorsoventrally flattened body, presence of a single pair of eyespots, and a preference for feeding on the hemolymph of aquatic invertebrates. In this study, two new species of Helobdella are described based on specimens collected in Mexico, Helobdella papilloprocta sp. nov. and Helobdella gulloae sp. nov. These specimens were preliminarily identified as H. socimulcensis (Caballero, 1931), but detailed morphological and molecular analyses confirmed their status as separate species. In addition, a neotype for Helobdella socimulcensis is designated, and a redescription of the species is provided based on specimens from the type locality: Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico. Finally, H. austinensis in Nuevo León and H. europaea in Morelos, Mexico are reported for the first time, representing new records for the country. In total, ten species of Helobdella are known from Mexico.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1253.158651

Authors: Yong Hong, Samuel W. James

Abstract: Three new species of the genus Pheretima are described from Mount Bulusan, Sorsogon Province, Luzon Island, Philippines: Pheretima bulusanensis sp. nov., Pheretima sorsogonensis sp. nov., and Pheretima blackbirdensis sp. nov. All are in the sangirensis-group of Sims and Easton (1972), which is characterized by having one pair of spermathecal pores in 7/8. The three new species have equatorial unpigmented stripes, the intestinal origin in XVI, spermathecae in VII, and with segmental setal counts all greater than 40. Pheretima bulusanensis sp. nov. has copulatory bursae openings 0.19–0.23 circumference apart and septa 8/9/10 present. Pheretima sorsogonensis sp. nov. has copulatory bursae openings 0.14 circumference apart and septa 8/9/10 absent. Pheretima blackbirdensis sp. nov. has copulatory bursae openings 0.17 circumference apart and septum 9/10 absent.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1247.137606

Authors: Christopher J. Glasby, Olga Biriukova, Patrick Martin, Geoffrey R. Dyne, Serge Utevsky, Robin S. Wilson

Abstract: Phylum Annelida are ubiquitous metazoans found in almost every terrestrial and aquatic habitat on Earth. Historically, taxonomic studies on the phylum have been focused largely on its majorgroups, polychaetes, oligochaetes and leeches, so that while family-level keys for each group are available, no single-source identification guide exists to the world’s annelid families. Here, the first illustrated linear key to annelid families is provided and family-level descriptions and diagnoses that distinguish individuals of each family from those of other families in the phylum are updated. This information is generated from an annelid DELTA database of 334 characters and 166 mostly family-level taxa. A link is provided to downloadable software (ANNiKEY Interactive) allowing the same data to be interrogated using the open-source DELTA program Intkey, which enables both interactive identification and taxonomic query functionality. For each family-level taxon, a diagnosis, full description, links to taxonomic data at the World Register of Marine Species, illustrations of diagnostic features, and a summary of the recent literature, including a list of published keys to genera and species are provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1236.149576

Authors: Jun-Hui Lin, Ya-Qin Huang, Qian-Yong Liang, Xue-Bao He

Abstract: In the present study, a new species of a rarely encountered genus Sclerobregma Hartman, 1965, Sclerobregma nanhaiensis sp. nov., is described based on specimens collected from slope depths of the northern South China Sea. It is characterized by the presence of branched branchiae and heavy acicular spines in the anterior chaetigers, and is morphologically distinct from the other species of the genus in the shape of the anterior margin of the prostomium, the number of neuropodia with nipple-like projections distally, and the segment annulation. Four gene fragments of the new species were sequenced, comprising 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and histone H3. This study represents the first report of Sclerobregma in the South China Sea.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1232.143944

Authors: Lucas Pinsivy, Nicolas Lavesque, Guillemine Daffe, Flore Daramy, Pat Hutchings

Abstract: In this study, we describe a new species belonging to the genus Paucibranchia Molina-Acevedo, 2018 found in the area “La Grande Vasière” on the French Atlantic continental shelf (Bay of Biscay). Paucibranchia glemareci sp. nov. lives between 100 and 130 m depth on muddy sands. It is easily distinguished from most other European species of the genus by the absence of compound spinigerous chaetae. A key to the European species of the genus Paucibranchia is given.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1231.144623

Authors: Csaba Csuzdi, Jachoon Koo, Yong Hong

Abstract: We present for the first time the complete mitochondrial genomes (mt genomes) of the earthworms Aporrectodea caliginosa and Ap. trapezoides (Clitellata, Megadrili) collected in Hungary and Korea, respectively. The complete mt genome of Ap. trapezoides comprised 15,014 base pairs. Lengths of the three complete Ap. caliginosa mt genomes varied between 15,090 and 15,123 bp. All four mt genomes contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and one major non-coding control region. These mt genome arrangements are identical to those observed in the mt genomes of most earthworms, and all the 37 genes are transcribed from the same directional strand. All 13 PCGs had the same ATG start codon. Most of the PCGs end with TAA or TAG, whereas the remaining end with an incomplete stop codon, T. Stop codons were consistent in the PCGs throughout the mt genomes, except Ap. caliginosa 5, which contains a TAG stop codon in ND5 instead of the TAA found in the other samples. Both species’ genomes showed biased base composition, with 63.5% AT and 36.4% GC content in Ap. trapezoides and 62.8% and 37.2% in Ap. caliginosa. Phylogenetic analysis of the mt genomes corroborated the monophyly of the family Lumbricidae and the close relationship between Ap. trapezoides and Ap. caliginosa species pairs. The available Ap. tuberculata sequences were embedded between the Ap. caliginosa samples, thereby supporting the synonymy of the two names.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1231.135347

Authors: Romain Gastineau, Kamila Mianowicz, Przemysław Dąbek, Christian Otis, Valcana Stoyanova, Artur Krawcewicz, Tomasz Abramowski

Abstract: The abyssal plains of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) are famous for their fields of polymetallic nodules, which are inhabited by benthic invertebrates. Ten specimens from the Interoceanmetal Joint Organisation (IOM) licence area in the CCZ were collected in 2014 and submitted to a short-read genome skimming sequencing. In total, mitochondrial genomes and nuclear ribosomal genes were retrieved for nine different organisms belonging to Ophiuroidea, Holothuroidea, Polychaeta, Bryozoa, Porifera, and Brachiopoda (assigned to these phyla immediately upon retrieval from the seafloor). As many of these samples were partial and physically deteriorated following their seven-year storage in IOM’s collections, their morphology-based taxonomic identification could rarely be performed at the lowest possible level (species or genus) prior to preparing the samples for molecular or genomic investigations. Therefore, it was not possible to apply the reverse identification scheme recommended for such investigations. However, several of these specimens represent poorly studied groups for which few molecular references are available as of now. In two cases, the presence of introns in the mitochondrial genome questions the practicability of using the cox1 gene for further routine molecular barcoding of these organisms. These results might be useful in future DNA primers design, molecular barcoding, and phylogeny or population genetic studies when more samples are obtained.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1230.140329

Authors: Yadong Zhou, Ruiyan Zhang, Chengcheng Shen, Qin Mao, Mouyingke Zhang, Dongsheng Zhang

Abstract: Deep-sea sponges create complex biogenic structures and attract a wide array of deep-sea organisms, including symbionts. In this study, we describe Eunice siphoninsidiator sp. nov., a new eunicid species living in the central cavity of deep-sea farreid glass sponges found on northwest Pacific seamounts. The new species closely resembles the Atlantic Eunice norvegica both morphologically and molecularly, but it differs in the relative length of palp compared to peristomium, starting points of subacicular hooks, and shape of pectinate chaetae. A 13% COI genetic distance between the two species further supports the establishment of E. siphoninsidiator as a distinct species. Gut content analyses reveals fragments of barnacles and brittle stars, suggesting a carnivorous diet and a sit-and-wait predatory strategy. The eunicid gains protection from living inside the sponge, which consistently harbored the polychaete in all specimens examined, while the sponge benefits from the cleaning of epibionts, pointing to a potentially mutualistic relationship.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1219.134005

Authors: Thammy Gularte, Paulo Y. G. Sumida, Gilberto Bergamo, Greg W. Rouse

Abstract: A new species of Osedax is described here using molecular and morphological data. It was found at the depth of 550 m off the Brazilian coast through experimental deployment of cow bones. Osedax nataliae sp. nov. is the second Osedax species from the Southwest Atlantic Ocean and had been previously reported as Osedax ‘BioSuOr-4’. Phylogenetic analysis of five concatenated genetic makers (28S rDNA, Histone H3, 18S rDNA, 16S rDNA, and cytochrome c oxidase I) placed Osedax nataliae sp. nov. within a well-supported Osedax Clade V, nested within a clade of Pacific Ocean Osedax though with poor support. The minimum interspecific COI distance between O. nataliae sp. nov. and another known Osedax was 13.92% (closest to O. ‘sagami-3’). The maximum intraspecific COI diversity (uncorrected) within O. nataliae sp. nov. sampled here was 2.44% and population structure was visualized via haplotype network analysis. Morphologically, O. nataliae sp. nov. is characterized by its reddish orange crown of palps and a ventral yellowish collar on the anterior trunk where it meets the base of the crown. Osedax nataliae sp. nov. shares features with other Clade V species, notably pinnules inserted on the outer margin of palps. Additionally, the presence of dwarf males within the tube lumen of females was documented. Further sampling and research in the Southern Hemisphere are needed to understand the diversity and biogeography of Osedax across the world’s oceans.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1215.129623

Authors: Won-Kyung Lee, Se-Joo Kim

Abstract: Branchinotogluma Pettibone, 1985 is the most species-rich genus within the subfamily Lepidonotopodinae Pettibone, 1983, comprising 18 valid species from chemosynthesis-based ecosystems in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Here, we report a new distributional record of Branchinotogluma bipapillata Zhou, Wang, Zhang & Wang, 2018, at the hydrothermal vent sites on the northern Central Indian Ridge (nCIR). This record represents the northernmost occurrence of B. bipapillata in the Indian Ocean. We conducted a comparative study of the nCIR population and other documented populations using distributional information, morphological traits, and genetic markers (two mitochondrial [COI, 16S rRNA] and one nuclear [18S rRNA] genes). While most morphological characters of B. bipapillata were consistent with those found in the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR), variations were noted in the segment with the last branchiae. Molecular data revealed that all populations of B. bipapillata form a single clade, indicating a wide distribution from the SWIR to nCIR, covering ~4,000 km across various ridges in the Indian Ocean. This study presents extensive distribution of a vent species with well-connected populations throughout the Indian Ocean, distinguishing it from many other vent species affected by the dispersal barrier in the Indian Ocean.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1210.125963

Authors: Qing Jin, Jiali Li, Jibao Jiang, Jiangping Qiu

Abstract: This paper describes four new species earthworms from Hunan and Anhui provinces, China, Amynthas xiangtanensis Qiu & Jin, sp. nov., Amynthas taoyuanensis Qiu & Jin, sp. nov., Amynthas xuanchengensis Jin & Li, sp. nov. and Metaphire donganensis Jin & Jiang, sp. nov. Amynthas xiangtanensis sp. nov., and A. taoyuanensis sp. nov. belong to the Amynthas corticis group. Both have four pairs of intersegmental spermathecal pores in 5/6–8/9; male pores in segment XVIII, separated by 1/3 of body circumference, each on top of a slightly raised porophore, surrounded by several tiny genital papillae. Amynthas taoyuanensis sp. nov. prostate glands are degenerated. Amynthas xuanchengensis sp. nov. belongs to the Amynthas morrisi group, it has two pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6 and 6/7; male pores in XVIII, separated by 1/3 of body circumference, each on top of a slightly raised, circular porophore. Metaphire donganensis sp. nov. belongs to the Metaphire houlleti group. It has three pairs of spermathecal pores in 6/7–8/9; male pores in XVIII, separated by 1/3 of body circumference, each on the bottom center of the longitudinal copulatory chamber.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1205.120300

Authors: Miguel A. Meca, Jon Anders Kongsrud, Katrine Kongshavn, Tom Alvestad, Karin Meißner, Nataliya Budaeva

Abstract: In this work, the diversity of the genus Orbiniella in the Nordic Seas and the North Atlantic waters south of Iceland is studied based on the analyses of molecular markers (mitochondrial COI, 16S rDNA and nuclear ITS2) and morphological characters. Our results showed the presence of at least five genetic lineages in the studied material which could also be morphologically identified by their segmental annulation patterns, the number and the shape of acicular spines, and the length and the shape of pygidial lobes. The species name Orbiniella petersenae is assigned to one of the lineages restricting its geographical and vertical distribution to the deep-sea areas north of Iceland and Jan Mayen, and three lineages are described as new species (i.e., Orbiniella griegi Meca & Budaeva, sp. nov., Orbiniella mayhemi Meca & Budaeva, sp. nov., and Orbiniella parapari Meca & Budaeva, sp. nov.) elevating the number of known species in the genus to 25. Three deep-sea species of Orbiniella in our study are reported only north of the Greenland-Iceland-Scotland Ridge, one deep-sea species found south of the ridge. A single shallow-water species is distributed along the ridge and on the Norwegian shelf.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1204.117261

Authors: Che Engku Siti Mariam Che Engku Abdullah, Izwandy Idris, Afiq Durrani Mohd Fahmi, Beth Flaxman, Pat Hutchings

Abstract: Four new species of Marphysa are described from Terengganu state on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, using morphological and molecular (cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene) data. These species belong to different groups of Marphysa: Marphysa kertehensis sp. nov. belongs to Group A (Mossambica), Marphysa merchangensis sp. nov. and Marphysa setiuense sp. nov. belong to Group B (Sanguinea) and Marphysa ibaiensis sp. nov. belongs to Group E (Gravelyi). Marphysa kertehensis sp. nov. is characterised by having only limbate chaetae, absence of subacicular hooks, three types of pectinate chaetae including wide, thick isodont with short and slender inner teeth, and pectinate branchiae with up to nine branchial filaments. Marphysa merchangensis sp. nov. is characterised by the presence of eyes, unidentate subacicular hooks, four types of pectinate chaetae including wide, thick anodont pectinate chaetae with five long and thick inner teeth, and pectinate branchiae with up to six branchial filaments. Marphysa setiuense sp. nov. has mostly unidentate subacicular hooks (bidentate on several posterior chaetigers), four types of pectinate chaetae including wide, thick anodont pectinate chaetae with seven thick and long inner teeth, and pectinate branchiae with up to five branchial filaments. Marphysa ibaiensis sp. nov. has bidentate subacicular hooks throughout, five types of pectinate chaetae, including a heterodont with 12 short and slender inner teeth, and pectinate branchiae with up to eight branchial filaments. The designation of these new species based on morphology is fully supported by molecular data. Habitat descriptions of each species are also included.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1196.115260

Authors: Marcos A. L. Teixeira, Chloé Julie Loïs Fourreau, Juan Sempere-Valverde, Susana Carvalho

Abstract: Annelid biodiversity studies in the Red Sea are limited and integrative taxonomy is needed to accurately improve reference libraries in the region. As part of the bioblitz effort in Saudi Arabia to assess the invertebrate biodiversity in the northern Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba, Perinereis specimens from intertidal marine and lagoon-like rocky environments were selected for an independent assessment, given the known taxonomic ambiguities in this genus. This study used an integrative approach, combining molecular with morphological and geographic data. Our results demonstrate that specimens found mainly in the Gulf of Aqaba are not only morphologically different from other five similar Perinereis Group I species reported in the region, but phylogenetic analysis using available COI sequences from GenBank revealed different molecular operational taxonomic units, suggesting an undescribed species, P. kaustiana sp. nov. The new species is genetically close and shares a similar paragnath pattern to the Indo-Pacific distributed P. helleri, in particular in Area III and Areas VII–VIII. Therefore, we suggest it may belong to the same species complex. However, P. kaustiana sp. nov. differs from the latter mainly in the shorter length of the postero-dorsal tentacular cirri, median parapodia with much longer dorsal Tentacular cirri, posteriormost parapodia with much wider and greatly expanded dorsal ligules. Additionally, two new records are reported for the Saudi Neom area belonging to P. damietta and P. suezensis, previously described only for the Egyptian coast (Suez Canal) and are distributed sympatrically with the new species, but apparently not sympatric with each other.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1182.104258

Authors: Robin S. Wilson, Christopher J. Glasby, Torkild Bakken

Abstract: Nereididae is among the most familiar of marine annelid families, common and well-studied in most marine environments but paradoxically no recent key or identification guide exists to the world’s genera. Here updated generic descriptions, a list of characters, a linear key to genera, and minimal diagnoses that distinguish each genus from all others in the family are provided. This information is generated from a Delta database of 186 morphological characters and a link is provided to downloadable software allowing the same data to be interrogated using the open-source Delta program Intkey – a nonlinear multiple entry point computerised interactive key. For each genus the recent literature is also summarised, comments on taxonomic status provided, and published keys to species cited. Nexus format matrices are provided for all 45 genera and 158 Nereididae species, representing all genera, scored for 146 multistate characters from the same character list to facilitate future phylogenetic studies.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1178.106101

Authors: Brett C. Gonzalez, Victor M. Conde-Vela, Karen J. Osborn

Abstract: Parahololepidella Pettibone, 1969 is a polynoid genus commensal with the antipatharian genus Tanacetipathes Opresko, 2001. These scale worms are elongate with numerous segments and small elytra. To date, the only other known polynoid associated with Tanacetipathes is Antipathipolyeunoa Pettibone, 1991. By re-examining the holotype of Antipathipolyeunoa, we have identified several overlooked characters that no longer distinguish this genus from Parahololepidella. Based on the presence of chaetae on the tentacular segment and elytral irregularity on posterior segments, we propose synonymizing Antipathipolyeunoa with Parahololepidella.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1176.106517

Authors: Ratmanee Chanabun, Anuwat Aoonkum, Teerapong Seesamut, Ueangfa Bantaowong, Somsak Panha

Abstract: Earthworm specimens collected from Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom, northeast Thailand, were found to contain four new species in the family Megascolecidae, with one species in the genus Metaphire Sims & Easton, 1972, and the other three in the genus Amynthas Kinberg, 1867. These are herein named Metaphire songkhramensis Chanabun & Panha, sp. nov. in the sexthecal houlleti species group, and Amynthas sakonnakhonensis Chanabun & Panha, sp. nov., A. auriculus Chanabun & Panha, sp. nov., and A. bantanensis Chanabun & Panha, sp. nov. in the sexthecal aelianus species group. Metaphire songkhramensis Chanabun & Panha, sp. nov. occurs in dark clay soil of the oxbow lake of the river, Amynthas sakonnakhonensis Chanabun & Panha, sp. nov. occurs in wetland area, A. auriculus Chanabun & Panha, sp. nov. occurs in dark sandy loam habitats of mixed deciduous forest while the following species, A. bantanensis Chanabun & Panha, sp. nov. occurs in sandy loam habitats of paddy fields. Descriptions of the new species, including illustrations of the external and internal morphological characteristics, are provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1174.101059

Authors: Nálita Maria Scamparle Teodoro, Tatiana Menchini Steiner, Antonia Cecília Zacagnini Amaral

Abstract: Lumbrineriopsis dulcis sp. nov. is morphologically described from the continental shelf and slope of Espírito Santo and the Campos Basin of Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil, at depths between 14 and 400 m. Lumbrineriopsis mucronata is the only species of the genus recorded until now in Brazil. The new species differs from other congeneric species in its jaw-apparatus morphology with unfused mandibles and a fixed number of simple limbate chaetae and simple, bidentate, hooded hooks in each parapodium. This paper aims to fill the gap in knowledge on the family Lumbrineridae, which has not been studied in Brazil for the last 25 years and provides the first record of the genus from Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro states. This record is significant given the damage to the marine ecosystem of the Espírito Santo region due to the 2015 rupture of the Samarco mining company dam, the largest environmental disaster in Brazil’s history. In addition, this region has important environmental conservation units such as Costa das Algas Environmental Protection Area, Santa Cruz Wildlife Refuge, and Comboios Biological Reserve. All these preserved areas are of paramount importance for the protection of marine biological diversity.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1174.106624

Authors: Jun-Hui Lin, María E. García-Garza, Jian-Feng Mou, He-Shan Lin

Abstract: Promastobranchus Gallardo, 1968 is a small genus in the polychaete family Capitellidae, and the available records are largely reported from the Indo-West Pacific region. Although Gallardo (1968) and Green (2002) noted that Promastobranchus species had intraspecific variation in the number of thoracic chaetigers when they described the two previously known species, this variation has not been corroborated using molecular evidence. In this study, a new Promastobranchus species, Promastobranchus variabilis sp. nov., is described based on 29 specimens collected from the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea. The new species is mainly characterized by having a tessellated epithelium in the anterior thorax, nine teeth in three rows above the main fang in the abdominal hooks, four pairs of genital pores located on the intersegmental grooves between chaetigers 9 and 13, and its unique methyl green staining pattern. Comparisons of multiple gene markers (16S, 18S, 28S, and H3) revealed no genetic divergence (K2P < 0.003) among these type specimens with 9–13 thoracic chaetigers. In other words, the new species exhibited morphological variability in the number of thoracic chaetigers during ontogeny, and this character was unsuitable to differentiate Promastobranchus species as the ranges overlap among Promastobranchus species. This is the third Promastobranchus species known in the world, and it is now recorded along the Fujian coast.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1173.106112

Authors: Shan Tong, Deyuan Yang, Jian-Wen Qiu, Caihuan Ke, Zhi Wang

Abstract: Podarkeopsis chinensis sp. nov. (Annelida, Hesionidae) is described based on specimens collected from the coast of southeast China. It is the first Podarkeopsis species described from the Indo-Pacific, although there are already nine valid Podarkeopsis species known from other parts of the world. This new species can be distinguished from the other Podarkeopsis species in having a palpostyle as long as the palpophore and double aciculae in both notopodia and neuropodia, and in bearing bifid furcate chaetae which have a smooth base on the shorter tine. A phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of five gene fragments (COI, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and histone H3) from 18 specimens of P. chinensis sp. nov. showed that they formed a monophyletic clade that is sister to P. levifuscina. K2P genetic distances indicated that the four gene fragments (COI, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA) of P. chinensis sp. nov. diverged from the corresponding sequences of the closest related species of Podarkeopsis in GenBank and BOLD Systems by 21.1–27.5%, 20.3–23.1%, 0.1–0.2%, and 2.1–3.2%. An identification key is provided for species in the genus Podarkeopsis.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1172.100483

Authors: Lenka Neal, Emily Abrahams, Helena Wiklund, Muriel Rabone, Guadalupe Bribiesca-Contreras, Eva C. D. Stewart, Thomas G. Dahlgren, Adrian G. Glover

Abstract: The DNA taxonomy of six species of the annelid family Lumbrineridae collected from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Central Pacific, an area of potential mining interest for polymetallic nodules, is presented. Lumbrinerids are an ecologically important and understudied annelid family within the deep sea, with many species still undescribed. This study aims to document the taxonomy and biodiversity of the CCZ using specimens collected from the UK-1, OMS, and NORI-D exploration contract areas and Areas of Particular Environmental Interest. Species were identified through a combination of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis. We present informal species descriptions associated with voucher specimens, accessible through the Natural History Museum (London) collections, to improve future taxonomic and biodiversity studies of this region. Five taxa in this study had no morphological or genetic matches within the literature and therefore are possibly new to science, but their suboptimal morphological preservation prevented the formalisation of new species. The most abundant taxon Lumbrinerides cf. laubieri (NHM_0020) was compared with the holotype of Lumbrinerides laubieri Miura, 1980 from the deep Northeast Atlantic. Currently no reliable morphological characters separating the Pacific and Atlantic specimens have been found and molecular data from the Atlantic specimens was not available.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1153.101406

Authors: Jixing Sui, Dong Dong, Xuwen Wu, Xinzheng Li

Abstract: A new species of the spionid genus Lindaspio Blake & Maciolek, 1992 was collected from a cold seep near the Hainan Island at a depth of 1758 m. Morphologically, Lindaspio polybranchiata sp. nov. differs from the congeners in having a narrow, folded caruncle and more neuropodial branchiae (from chaetiger 20). The 18S, COI, and 16S sequences of the new species have been submitted to GenBank. It is the first record of the genus Lindaspio from Chinese waters. A key to all species of Lindaspio is given.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1137.86150

Authors: Lenka Neal, Helena Wiklund, Laetitia M. Gunton, Muriel Rabone, Guadalupe Bribiesca-Contreras, Thomas G. Dahlgren, Adrian G. Glover

Abstract: This is a contribution in a series of taxonomic publications on benthic fauna of polymetallic nodule fields in the eastern abyssal Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ). The material was collected during environmental surveys targeting exploration contract areas ‘UK-1’, ‘OMS’ and ‘NORI-D’, as well as an Area of Particular Environmental Interest, ‘APEI-6’. The annelid families Amphinomidae and Euphrosinidae are investigated here. Taxonomic data are presented for six species from 41 CCZ-collected specimens as identified by a combination of morphological and genetic approaches; of the six species, three are here described as new, one species is likely to be new but in too poor condition to be formalised and the two others likely belong to known species. Description of three new species Euphrosinella georgievae sp. nov., Euphrosinopsis ahearni sp. nov., and Euphrosinopsis halli sp. nov. increases the number of formally described new annelid species from the targeted areas to 21 and CCZ-wide to 52. Molecular data suggest that four of the species reported here are known from CCZ only, but within CCZ they have a wide distribution. In contrast, the species identified as Bathychloeia cf. sibogae Horst, 1910 was found to have a wide distribution within the Pacific based on both morphological and molecular data, using comparative material from the abyssal South Pacific. Bathychloeia cf. balloniformis Böggemann, 2009 was found to be restricted to APEI-6 based on DNA data available from CCZ specimens only, but morphological data from other locations suggest potentially a wide abyssal distribution. The genus Euphrosinopsis was previously known only from Antarctic waters, and Euphrosinella georgievae sp. nov. was recovered as a sister taxon to the Antarctic specimens of Euphrosinella cf. cirratoformis in our molecular phylogenetic analysis, strengthening the hypothesised link between the deep-sea and Antarctic benthic fauna.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1134.94198

Authors: Jun-Hui Lin, Ya-Qin Huang, Qian-Yong Liang, Xue-Bao He

Abstract: A variety of nereidid species have been reported from the South China Sea, although little is known about the deep-sea species in this area. Recently, two specimens belonging to a novel nereidid polychaete were collected from a sedimentary habitat during an environmental survey to a deep-sea basin where cold seeps occur. This new species, Nereis tricirrata sp. nov., is described herein, based on morphological and molecular analyses. The most noteworthy feature is the absence of eyes on the prostomium; it can be distinguished from other eyeless Nereis species by the arrangement of conical paragnaths on the pharynx, the nature of homogomph falcigers and the shape of notopodial lobes in posterior chaetigers. The reconstructed phylogenetic tree, using concatenated sequences of mtCOI, 16S, and 18S rRNA, showed that all Nereis species included in this study form a monophyletic clade with full support. The mtCOI-based interspecific comparisons revealed a high genetic divergence (23.1%–37.3% K2P) from four-eyed Nereis species with the available sequences. This is the first record of an eyeless Nereis species in the South China Sea.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1132.87629

Authors: Asmaa Haris Elgetany, Torsten H. Struck, Christopher J. Glasby

Abstract: Despite being one of the most common groups of polychaetes on intertidal shores, the genus Perinereis (Nereididae) is comparatively poorly known taxonomically, with confusion still existing due to the lack of comprehensive systematic studies. The systematics of Perinereis species from the intertidal Egyptian coasts of the Red Sea, Gulf of Suez and Suez Canal have been investigated using morphology and the mitochondrial barcoding marker cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). New sequence data was obtained for 102 Perinereis specimens and analysis included all publicly available COI data from other Perinereis species. The COI data indicate that monophyly of the P. nuntia species group is doubtful, as specimens identified in this species group from south-eastern Asia and Australia form a monophyletic group exclusive of the three new species described in this study from the Red Sea region. A morphometric character set (26 characters) was used to identify and characterize each specimen in the study. Three distinct morphospecies belonging to the P. nuntia species group were found, each differentiated by the number and type of paragnaths on pharyngeal areas V and VI, relative sizes of parapodial lobes, type of notochaetae and neurochaetae, and form of the neurochaetal falciger blades. The three morphospecies were well supported by COI data: two of the three new species, Perinereis suezensis sp. nov. and Perinereis fayedensis sp. nov., are closely similar to P. nuntia sensu stricto, while the other, Perinereis damietta sp. nov., is similar to P. heterodonta. The new species are described and illustrated, and bring the number of species in Perinereis to 97. The new species are compared and contrasted to the closely similar P. heterodonta, P. nuntia and other congeners from the region.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1132.91244

Authors: María Barroso, Juan Moreira, María Capa, Arne Nygren, Julio Parapar

Abstract: Several new species of genus Terebellides Sars, 1835 (Annelida, Trichobranchidae) have been recently described from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean after the detection of a large complex of species based on DNA sequence data from previous research. Some of those species (belonging to the so-called Group A) have already been described elsewhere. In this paper, we revise several Terebellides clades belonging to Groups B, C and D resulting in the identification of five nominal species: Terebellides gracilis Malm, 1874, Terebellides atlantis Williams, 1984, Terebellides williamsae Jirkov, 1989, Terebellides irinae Gagaev, 2009, and Terebellides shetlandica Parapar, Moreira & O’Reilly, 2016, plus one new species described here as Terebellides lavesquei sp. nov. All these species are characterised by a combination of morphological features complemented with a nucleotide diagnostic approach (specific COI nucleotides in the alignment position). Morphological characters used to discriminate between taxa refer to the branchial shape, presence/absence of ciliated papillae dorsal to thoracic notopodia and the morphology of thoracic and abdominal uncinal teeth. An updated identification key to all described species of this genus in NE Atlantic waters is also included.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1128.90020

Authors: Deyuan Yang, Xuwen Wu, Zhi Wang, Xiaoyu Zhao, Jiangshiou Hwang, Lizhe Cai

Abstract: The original description of Travisia chinensis Grube, 1869 was incomplete, leading to confusion with other species. To clarify the status of this species, we provide a redescription of, and remarks on, T. chinensis based on an examination of the type specimen. We also describe Travisia amoyanus sp. nov., collected from Xiamen (Amoy), China, and originally identified as T. chinensis by Monro (1934). The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: the total number of segments (34 or 35) and chaetigers (33 or 34), parapodial lappets first from chaetiger 15, and a pygidium with a large ventral triangular cirrus and about six encircling lateral cirri. Genetic distances and phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial (16S rRNA) and nuclear (18S rRNA) genes support the identity of the new species.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1127.86004

Authors: William E. Moser, Dennis J. Richardson, Charlotte I. Hammond, Lourdes Rojas, Eric Lazo-Wasem, Anna J. Phillips

Abstract: Alboglossiphonia pallida (Verrill, 1872) comb. nov. is resurrected and redescribed based on morphological and molecular data from specimens of the type locality (New Haven County, Connecticut, USA) that demonstrate it is distinct from North American Alboglossiphonia heteroclita, European Alboglossiphonia heteroclita, and Alboglossiphonia papillosa. Alboglossiphonia pallida is characterized by having dark chromatophores on the dorsal surface arranged lateral to patrilaterally and medially as a thin line or interrupted thin line along with three pairs of eye spots (with the first pair closest together), six pairs of crop ceca, and a united gonopore. Additional sampling of specimens of the genus Alboglossiphonia is needed to understand its phylogeny especially as many species have not been collected since their description.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1122.89990

Authors: Nicolas Lavesque, Guillemine Daffe, Christopher Glasby, Stéphane Hourdez, Pat Hutchings

Abstract: Three new species of Marphysa Quatrefages, 1866, Marphysa banana sp. nov., Marphysa papuaensis sp. nov., and Marphysa zanolae sp. nov. are described from deep-sea sunken vegetation off Papua New Guinea, using both morphology and molecular data (for two species). With the presence of compound spinigers only and the branchiae present over many chaetigers, Marphysa banana sp. nov. belongs to the group B2. This species is characterised by the presence of eyes, the presence of branchiae starting from chaetiger 20, and by the presence of three types of pectinate chaetae and bidentate subacicular hooks starting from chaetigers 13–52. With the presence of compound falcigers only and the branchiae restricted to a short anterior region, Marphysa papuaensis sp. nov. belongs to the group C1. This species has a bilobed prostomium but no eyes, has branchiae from chaetigers 7 to 14–16 with up to 16 filaments. Marphysa papuaensis sp. nov. is also characterised by the presence of bidentate subacicular hooks from chaetiger 20 and by a single type of pectinate chaetae. Finally, Marphysa zanolae sp. nov. belongs to the group C2, with the presence of compound falcigers only and the branchiae present over many chaetigers. This species is characterised by the absence of eyes, by the presence of branchiae with a single long filament starting from chaetiger 31, by unidentate subacicular hooks starting from chaetiger 28 and finally by one type of pectinate chaetae with very long outer teeth.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1118.86448

Authors: Joana Zanol, Pat Hutchings

Abstract: A new giant species is described from New South Wales, Australia. Eunice dharastii sp. nov. differs from described Australian species and is most similar to E. aphroditois (Pallas, 1788), E. flavopicta Izuka, 1912, and E. kinbergi Ehlers, 1868. The unique combination of features that characterizes the new species is irregular articulated prostomial appendages; antennae reaching back beyond chaetiger 4; branchiae starting at chaetiger 10, initially button-shaped and distinctly longer than notopodial cirri where best developed; dorsal fleshy knobs on anterior chaetal lobes; notopodial cirri pendulous, abrupt tapering from inflated bases; bidentate compound falcigerous chaetae with both teeth directed laterally, distal tooth much shorter than proximal tooth in median and posterior chaetigers; and dark bidentate subacicular hooks starting at chaetiger 58, tapering to a small head with both teeth directed distally, and proximal tooth much larger than minute and spur-like distal tooth. This new species lives in sandy sediments in coastal waters 1–8 m deep. It is highly mobile and not easy to collect, which may explain why it was not described before.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1114.79492

Authors: Daniel Martin, Jordi Estefa, João Gil

Abstract: The small Lumbrineridae Gallardoneris iberica Martins, Carrera-Parra, Quintino & Rodrigues, 2012 was first described as new to science based on specimens from Portuguese waters. Then, it was successively reported from several south European areas, including Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus. Here evidence is presented that G. iberica should be placed in synonymy with Lumbrineris nonatoi Ramos, 1976, originally described from NW Mediterranean waters, a species that fits with the diagnosis of Gallardoneris. Based on specimens from the French coasts of the NW Mediterranean, this paper (1) redescribes the species using the new combination Gallardoneris nonatoi (Ramos, 1976) and (2) provides a morphometric analysis of its main morphological characters. The lack of recent reports of G. nonatoi comb. nov. in Mediterranean waters is presumably due to the recent redescription of the species as L. nonatoi based on specimens from the Gulf of Mexico. However, these specimens belong to Lumbrineris, as currently defined. By assessing their morphological differences, it is concluded that the specimens from the Gulf of Mexico represent a different and new species, namely Lumbrineris jan sp. nov. Also discussed is the possible assignation of Lumbrineris longipodiata Cantone, 1990, a poorly known species seldom recorded since its original description from the Gulf of Catania (Mediterranean Sea) to Gallardoneris, as well as on whether it is a valid species or may be an additional junior synonym of G. nonatoi comb. nov.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1113.82172

Authors: Guadalupe Bribiesca-Contreras, Thomas G. Dahlgren, Diva J. Amon, Stephen Cairns, Regan Drennan, Jennifer M. Durden, Marc P. Eléaume, Andrew M. Hosie, Antonina Kremenetskaia, Kirsty McQuaid, Timothy D. O’Hara, Muriel Rabone, Erik Simon-Lledó, Craig R. Smith, Les Watling, Helena Wiklund, Adrian G. Glover

Abstract: There is a growing interest in the exploitation of deep-sea mineral deposits, particularly on the abyssal seafloor of the central Pacific Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), which is rich in polymetallic nodules. In order to effectively manage potential exploitation activities, a thorough understanding of the biodiversity, community structure, species ranges, connectivity, and ecosystem functions across a range of scales is needed. The benthic megafauna plays an important role in the functioning of deep-sea ecosystems and represents an important component of the biodiversity. While megafaunal surveys using video and still images have provided insight into CCZ biodiversity, the collection of faunal samples is needed to confirm species identifications to accurately estimate species richness and species ranges, but faunal collections are very rarely carried out. Using a Remotely Operated Vehicle, 55 specimens of benthic megafauna were collected from seamounts and abyssal plains in three Areas of Particular Environmental Interest (APEI 1, APEI 4, and APEI 7) at 3100–5100 m depth in the western CCZ. Using both morphological and molecular evidence, 48 different morphotypes belonging to five phyla were found, only nine referrable to known species, and 39 species potentially new to science. This work highlights the need for detailed taxonomic studies incorporating genetic data, not only within the CCZ, but in other bathyal, abyssal, and hadal regions, as representative genetic reference libraries that could facilitate the generation of species inventories.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1102.83198

Authors: Pablo Hernández-Alcántara, María E. García-Garza, Vivianne Solís-Weiss

Abstract: Notomastus bermejoi sp. nov. from the Gulf of California shelf is described, illustrated, and compared with its congeners bearing hooded hooks in thoracic chaetigers. This new species is characterized by the presence of a prostomial palpode, only notopodia in the first chaetiger, hooded hooks in neuropodia of chaetiger 11, and its distinct methyl green staining pattern consisting of: chaetigers 1–4 slightly stained, chaetigers 5–10 with green bands encircling the segments, and a darker, solid, green band encircling the body in chaetigers 11–12. It is mainly distributed in the central Gulf of California in fine sand bottoms (62–96%) at 32–106.4 m depth, tolerating a wide range of temperature (13.2–17.59 °C), dissolved oxygen (0.8–4.93 ml/L), and organic carbon (3.0–7.2%). The type material and original descriptions of Notomastus species with hooks in thoracic chaetigers were examined; an identification key and tables with morphological distinctive characteristics, methyl green staining patterns, and geographic distribution of these close species are provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1100.80077

Authors: Geon Hyeok Lee, Gi-Sik Min

Abstract: A new spionid polychaete, Rhynchospio aciliata sp. nov., was discovered in the fine sandy sediments of an intertidal habitat from Korean waters. The new species is considered a simultaneous hermaphrodite, but no brooding embryos were found in any of the specimens collected in this study. This species is unique in the absence of ciliation in the anteriormost chaetigers. Rhynchospio aciliata sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to Rhynchospio foliosa Imajima, 1991 from Japan in having an elevation on the prostomium, conspicuously large and foliaceous branchiae, and intersegmental lateral pouches. However, the new species differs from the latter by the following characteristics: (1) large and lanceolate notopodial postchaetal lamellae of chaetiger 1, (2) transverse ciliated bands and ciliation on the inner branchiae absent in anteriormost chaetigers, and (3) pygidium with one pair of ventral cirri and numerous elongated dorsolateral cirri. Detailed description and illustrations of the new species are provided with molecular information on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), nuclear 18S rDNA, and 28S rDNA.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1100.79569

Authors: Eijiroh Nishi, Hirokazu Abe, Katsuhiko Tanaka, Naoto Jimi, Elena K. Kupriyanova

Abstract: A new species of Spirobranchus (Annelida: Serpulidae) is described based on specimens collected at the coastal Shonan area of Sagami Bay and the adjacent areas of Honshu, Japan. Spirobranchus akitsushima sp. nov. forms large aggregations in the intertidal rocky zone of warm-temperate Japanese shores. This species was referred to as Pomatoleios kraussii (Baird, 1864) until the monotypic genus Pomatoleios was synonymized with Spirobranchus. This new species is formally described based on morphologically distinct Japanese specimens with supporting DNA sequence data. The calcareous opercular endplate of Spirobranchus akitsushima sp. nov. lacks a distinct talon, but some specimens have a slight rounded swelling on the endplate underside, while in other species of the S. kraussii complex a talon is present, usually extended, and with bulges. We examined sub-fossil tube aggregations of the new species and suggest that such aggregation stranded ashore is a good indicator of vertical land movements (uplift and subsidence) resulting from past events, such as earthquakes, in Honshu, Japan.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1099.72112

Authors: Tung T. Nguyen, Dang H. Lam, Binh T. T. Tran, Anh D. Nguyen

Abstract: Two new earthworm species are described, namely Drawida angiang sp. nov. and Drawida cochinchina sp. nov. The former can be recognized by having male pores on spiniform penises in intersegment 10/11, an erect and sac-shaped spermathecal atrium, glandular prostate, the capsule coiled one round, the vas deferens strongly coiled but small, two large, round, genital markings on segments ix–x, and three gizzards in xiii–xv. The latter species is distinguished in having the male pores placed on highly elevated, backwardly directed, conical penises in 10/11, a slender spermathecal atrium, a glandular prostate, a somewhat folded capsule, the vas deferens strongly coiled as a bunch and equal size to the testis sacs, a pair of genital markings located closely anterior to the penises with 1–3 additional ones in xi–xii, and three or four gizzards in xiii–xvi. The DNA barcode fragment of the COI gene was extracted for each species, and the COI genetic distances and phylogenetic analysis also supported two new species..

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1097.80216

Authors: Csaba Csuzdi, Jachoon Koo, Yong Hong

Abstract: Composting earthworms of the genus Eisenia play an important role in soil ecosystems. However, taxonomic classification of this genus, especially the sibling species Eisenia fetida and Eisenia andrei, is complicated because of their morphological similarity. In this study, we assessed the utility of the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) for identification and differentiation of the two species. The complete mitogenomes of E. andrei and E. fetida were 15,714 and 16,560 bp, respectively. They contained 37 genes, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a putative non-coding region, as observed in other earthworms. Sequence comparisons based on the complete nucleotide sequences excluding the non-coding region showed 85.8% similarity, whereas the predicted amino acid sequences of the 13 PCGs were 92.7% similar between the two species. In particular, distinct features were found in the non-coding regions of the mitogenomes. They include a control region associated with putative mitogenome replication and an extended sequence. The extended sequence showed significant differences between the two species and other known earthworm species, suggesting its potential as a feasible molecular marker for species identification. Phylogenetic analysis of the 36 mitogenomes of earthworm species corroborated the monophyly of the genus Eisenia and the taxonomic distinctness of the sibling species pair, E. fetida and E. andrei.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1095.74071

Authors: Hao Wang, Fan-Ming Meng, Si-Jie Jin, Jiang-Wei Gao, Xiang-Rong Tong, Zi-Chao Liu

Abstract: Medicinal leeches in the genus Hirudo have been utilized for therapeutic procedures for thousands of years. To date, six known species of Hirudo are widely distributed in different regions of the Eurasian continent. In this study, a new medicinal leech species Hirudo tianjinensis Liu, sp. nov. is described based upon specimens collected from Tianjin City, China. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: blackish green dorsum with five continuous yellow longitudinal stripes; six sensillae on dorsal annulus a2 of segments VIII–XXV; greyish green ventrum with irregular bilateral dark brown spots; dorsum and abdomen separated by a pair of pale yellow stripes; front half atrium wrapped by white prostate; apparent albumen gland; epididymis massive in relation to ejaculatory bulb. The phylogenetic tree based upon COI implies a sister relationship to H. nipponia Whitman, 1886. A key to the known species is provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1082.71859

Authors: Lyudmila I. Fedorova, Irina A. Kaygorodova

Abstract: Hirudinea, a small and ecologically important group of aquatic organisms, is poorly studied in northern Eurasia. In this study, we demyth the idea of the faunistic poverty of this region and present the first findings of rheophilic leeches from the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, Russia. Investigation of 25 rivers (Severnaya Sosva, Ob, Konda-Irtysh, and Bolshoi Yugan river basins) resulted in finding 10 leech species with parasitic and non-parasitic life strategies. These species belong to two orders (Rhynchobdellida and Arhynchobdellida), three families (Glossiphoniidae, Piscicolidae, and Erpobdellidae) and six genera (Alboglossiphonia, Glossiphonia, Helobdella, Hemiclepsis, Piscicola, and Erpobdella). Five species, A. hyalina, G. verrucata, E. monostriata, E. vilnensis, and potentially new morphological species of piscine leeches Piscicola sp., have been discovered for the first time in Western Siberia. Data on species diversity of rheophilic leeches include the exact systematic position for all leech taxa. Each species from the list is supplemented with information about its geographical distribution.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1070.73847

Authors: Geon Hyeok Lee, Karin Meißner, Seong Myeong Yoon, Gi-Sik Min

Abstract: A new spionid polychaete, Spio pigmentata sp. nov., is described from the southern and western coasts of Korea. This new species differs from its congeners by the combination of the following morphological characteristics: the presence of orange-brown pigmentation on the anterior part of the prostomium, black pigmentation on the peristomium and along the body, U-shaped nuchal organs, a comparatively long extension of metameric dorsal ciliated organs, three pairs of white dots per chaetiger, two to three posterior abranchiate chaetigers, and the presence of tridentate neuropodial hooded hooks. The partial 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and nuclear 18S rDNA sequences of the new species and Spio sp. 2 reported by Abe and Sato-Okoshi (2021) from Japan showed high similarity, indicating that these two specimens belong to the same species. A detailed description and illustrations of the new species, together with molecular information, are provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1069.67403

Authors: Blaine A. Mathison, Sarah G. H. Sapp

Abstract: The classification of “parasites” in the medical field is a challenging notion, a group which historically has included all eukaryotes exclusive of fungi that invade and derive resources from the human host. Since antiquity, humans have been identifying and documenting parasitic infections, and this collective catalog of parasitic agents has expanded considerably with technology. As our understanding of species boundaries and the use of molecular tools has evolved, so has our concept of the taxonomy of human parasites. Consequently, new species have been recognized while others have been relegated to synonyms. On the other hand, the decline of expertise in classical parasitology and limited curricula have led to a loss of awareness of many rarely encountered species. Here, we provide a comprehensive checklist of all reported eukaryotic organisms (excluding fungi and allied taxa) parasitizing humans resulting in 274 genus-group taxa and 848 species-group taxa. For each species, or genus where indicated, a concise summary of geographic distribution, natural hosts, route of transmission and site within human host, and vectored pathogens are presented. Ubiquitous, human-adapted species as well as very rare, incidental zoonotic organisms are discussed in this annotated checklist. We also provide a list of 79 excluded genera and species that have been previously reported as human parasites but are not believed to be true human parasites or represent misidentifications or taxonomic changes.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1068.71925

Authors: Yue Sun, Lei Yu, Xinzheng Li

Abstract: A new species of the orbiniid genus Phylo Kinberg, 1866, P. heterochaetus sp. nov., is described based on material collected from the northern Yellow Sea, China. This is the thirteenth species in Phylo. The new species can be easily identified by the combination of the following characters: anterior thorax with 13 chaetigers, interramal cirri absent, anterior thoracic neuropodia with 4 or 5 rows of uncini, intermixed with a few subuluncini in the first 1 or 2 rows, and a ventral fringe of numerous stomach papillae present on chaetigers 12–24. Phylo fimbriata is recorded for the first time from China seas.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1067.72596

Authors: Jinghuai Zhang, Pat Hutchings

Abstract: The genus Petta Malmgren, 1866 is a small and poorly known genus of the annelid family Pectinariidae Quatrefages, 1866. A previous revision of the genus found that the type material of the species P. assimilis McIntosh, 1885 had been lost. While searching for material from the type locality, we were able to examine material from a similar area but collected in much shallower water from off South Africa which represents another undescribed species of Petta. The new species, Petta brevis sp. nov., is described and compared to P. assimilis McIntosh, 1885, and a revised key to all species in the genus is provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1039.61098

Authors: Maël Grosse, María Capa, Torkild Bakken

Abstract: Using molecular markers and species delimitation analyses, a high diversity of bi-tentaculate Cirratulidae was discovered from the North-East Atlantic. Five new species are described: Chaetozone pseudosetosa sp. nov., Chaetozone quinta sp. nov., Chaetozone barentsensis sp. nov., Chaetozone monteverdii sp. nov., and Chaetozone chambersae sp. nov. Several morphogroups are also described, even though the presence of cryptic diversity prevented naming of individual species. For each species presented, a molecular diagnostic is given from the universal barcode COI and, when available, the D1–D2 domains of the 28S rRNA. This increases the number of species in Chaetozone in northern European waters from ten to at least 17 species, the exact number of species remaining uncertain as taxonomic issues with older names remain unresolved.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1033.54331

Authors: Marcus Vinicius Cremonesi, Alessandra Santos, Danilo Eduardo Rozane, Marie Luise Carolina Bartz, George Gardner Brown

Abstract: Bananas and plantains are major commodity/food crops that represent an important habitat for earthworms, although so far, no review is available on earthworm communities associated with banana/plantain crops worldwide. The Vale do Ribeira region is among the largest banana producing areas in Brazil, but little is known of the earthworms living there. Hence, the present study assessed earthworm populations and species in three banana plantations and adjacent Atlantic forest fragments along the Ribeira de Iguape River using standard (hand sorting) methodologies. Furthermore, we review earthworm populations reported in banana/plantain plantations worldwide. Only two species (Pontoscolex corethrurus, Amynthas gracilis) belonging to two families (Rhinodrilidae, Megascolecidae) were found in the Ribeira River valley, occurring concurrently. Abundance was low (< 13 indiv. m-2) compared with other banana plantations worldwide, that frequently surpassed 100 indiv. m-2. More than 70 studies reported earthworms from >200 banana plantations in 28 countries, and mean species richness was 2.7 per site, ranging from 1 to 10 species. Exotics predominated in most sites and P. corethrurus was the most prevalent species encountered. Overall, more than 104 species from 10 families were reported, with around 61 native and 43 exotic widespread species, mainly of the Megascolecidae, Lumbricidae and Acanthodrilidae families. Richness was highest in India (27 spp.) and the Canary Islands (25 spp.), but native species dominated only in a few countries and sites, while exotics were prevalent especially in island countries and Brazil. Lower-input practices appear to be important for earthworm communities and banana plantations can have large earthworm populations in some cases, which may be contributing to soil processes and plant production, topics that deserve further attention. However, many important banana-producing countries have not yet been evaluated, so further work is warranted, both in terms of applied ecology and biodiversity.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1020.57921

Authors: Laetitia M. Gunton, Elena K. Kupriyanova, Tom Alvestad, Lynda Avery, James A. Blake, Olga Biriukova, Markus Böggemann, Polina Borisova, Nataliya Budaeva, Ingo Burghardt, Maria Capa, Magdalena N. Georgieva, Christopher J. Glasby, Pan-Wen Hsueh, Pat Hutchings, Naoto Jimi, Jon A. Kongsrud, Joachim Langeneck, Karin Meißner, Anna Murray, Mark Nikolic, Hannelore Paxton, Dino Ramos, Anja Schulze, Robert Sobczyk, Charlotte Watson, Helena Wiklund, Robin S. Wilson, Anna Zhadan, Jinghuai Zhang

Abstract: In Australia, the deep-water (bathyal and abyssal) benthic invertebrate fauna is poorly known in comparison with that of shallow (subtidal and shelf) habitats. Benthic fauna from the deep eastern Australian margin was sampled systematically for the first time during 2017 RV ‘Investigator’ voyage ‘Sampling the Abyss’. Box core, Brenke sledge, and beam trawl samples were collected at one-degree intervals from Tasmania, 42°S, to southern Queensland, 24°S, from 900 to 4800 m depth. Annelids collected were identified by taxonomic experts on individual families around the world. A complete list of all identified species is presented, accompanied with brief morphological diagnoses, taxonomic remarks, and colour images. A total of more than 6000 annelid specimens consisting of 50 families (47 Polychaeta, one Echiura, two Sipuncula) and 214 species were recovered. Twenty-seven species were given valid names, 45 were assigned the qualifier cf., 87 the qualifier sp., and 55 species were considered new to science. Geographical ranges of 16 morphospecies extended along the eastern Australian margin to the Great Australian Bight, South Australia; however, these ranges need to be confirmed with genetic data. This work providing critical baseline biodiversity data on an important group of benthic invertebrates from a virtually unknown region of the world’s ocean will act as a springboard for future taxonomic and biogeographic studies in the area.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1015.59019

Authors: Juanjuan Chen, Rüdiger M. Schmelz, Zhicai Xie

Abstract: Hemienchytraeus wuhanensis sp. nov. is described from hardwood forest soil in Wuhan, China. This moderately sized enchytraeid species of 6–9 mm body length is characterized by: (1) an oesophageal appendage with tertiary branches, (2) three pairs of secondary pharyngeal gland lobes in V, VI, VII, (3) five pairs preclitellar nephridia, from 5/6 to 9/10, (4) dorsal vessel originating in clitellar segments, (5) a girdle-shaped clitellum, (6) a relatively small male reproductive apparatus without seminal vesicle, and (7) spermathecae that extend to VI–VII. DNA barcodes of paratype specimens of the new species are provided. Previous species records of Hemienchytraeus from China are critically discussed.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1015.54387

Authors: Hirokazu Abe, Waka Sato‐Okoshi

Abstract: Planktonic larvae of spionid polychaetes are among the most common and abundant group in coastal meroplankton worldwide. The present study reports the morphology of spionid larvae collected mainly from coastal waters of northeastern Japan that were identified by the comparison of adult and larval 18S and 16S rRNA gene sequences. The molecular analysis effectively discriminated the species. Adult sequences of 48 species from 14 genera (Aonides Claparède, 1864; Boccardia Carazzi, 1893; Boccardiella Blake & Kudenov, 1978; Dipolydora Verrill, 1881; Laonice Malmgren, 1867; Malacoceros Quatrefages, 1843; Paraprionospio Caullery, 1914; Polydora Bosc, 1802; Prionospio Malmgren, 1867; Pseudopolydora Czerniavsky, 1881; Rhynchospio Hartman, 1936; Scolelepis Blainville, 1828; Spio Fabricius, 1785; Spiophanes Grube, 1860) and larval sequences of 41 species from 14 genera (Aonides; Boccardia; Boccardiella; Dipolydora; Laonice; Paraprionospio; Poecilochaetus Claparède in Ehlers, 1875; Polydora; Prionospio; Pseudopolydora; Rhynchospio; Scolelepis; Spio; Spiophanes) of spionid polychaetes were obtained; sequences of 27 of these species matched between adults and larvae. Morphology of the larvae was generally species‐specific, and larvae from the same genus mostly shared morphological features, with some exceptions. Color and number of eyes, overall body shape, and type and arrangement of pigmentation are the most obvious differences between genera or species. The morphological information on spionid larvae provided in this study contributes to species or genus level larval identification of this taxon in the studied area. Identification keys to genera and species of planktonic spionid larvae in northeastern Japan are provided. The preliminary results of the molecular phylogeny of the family Spionidae using 18S and 16S rRNA gene regions are also provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1011.59780

Authors: Siti Syazwani Azmi, Yusof Shuaib Ibrahim, Saowapa Angsupanich, Pornsan Sumpuntarat, Masanori Sato

Abstract: The reproductive and developmental characteristics of the nereidid polychaete, Neanthes glandicincta Southern, 1921, commonly recorded in tropical estuaries in the Indo-West Pacific, were examined from Malaysia (the mangrove area of Kuala Ibai, Terengganu) and Thailand (the Lower Songkhla Lagoon) on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. Epitokous metamorphosis of fully mature males and females and their reproductive swimming behaviour were recorded based on ten Malaysian epitokous specimens, which were collected at night during spring tides in a period of January 2018 to March 2019. Six Thailand epitokes were obtained in February and March 2006 by the laboratory rearing of immature worms. Epitokous metamorphosis is characterised by the enlargement of eyes in both sexes, division of the body into three parts and modification of parapodia with additional lobes in the mid-body of males, and replacement of atokous chaetae in the mid-body by epitokous natatory chaetae, completely in males and incompletely in females. The diameter of coelomic unfertilised eggs in females was 100–140 µm. After fertilisation, each egg formed a jelly layer, inside which embryonic development progressed. Trochophores hatched out of the jelly layer, entering a short free-swimming larval phase followed by demersal life at the early stage of 3-chaetiger nectochaeta one day after fertilisation. Then, the larvae entered benthic life as juveniles, crawling on the bottom, at the late stage of 3-chaetiger nectochaeta two days after fertilisation. The results indicate that N. glandicincta has an annual life cycle, which is usually completed within an estuary with limited larval dispersal ability.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.992.55977

Authors: Julio Parapar, María Capa, Arne Nygren, Juan Moreira

Abstract: The number of described species of the genus Terebellides Sars, 1835 (Annelida, Trichobranchidae) has greatly increased in the last years, particularly in the North East Atlantic. In this context, this paper deals with several putative species recently delineated by molecular means within a well delimited clade of Terebellides. Species are characterised here by a combination of morphological characters, and a complementary nucleotide diagnostic approach. Three species were identified as the nominal species T. stroemii Sars, 1835, T. bigeniculatus Parapar, Moreira & Helgason, 2011 and T. europaea Lavesque et al., 2019. Five species are described as new: T. bakkeni sp. nov., T. kongsrudi sp. nov., T. norvegica sp. nov., T. ronningae sp. nov. and T. scotica sp. nov. The distinctive morphological characters refer to the branchial shape, absence or presence of papillae on lamellae of anterior margin of branchial dorsal lobes, absence or presence of ciliated papillae dorsal to thoracic notopodia, geniculate chaetae in one or two chaetigers, and the morphology of thoracic and abdominal uncini teeth. Furthermore, the description of T. bigeniculatus is revised and complemented after examination of type specimens. An updated identification key to all species of the genus in NE Atlantic and a proposal of a classification of different types of abdominal uncini to be used in taxonomy are also included.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.988.49934

Authors: Weina Wang, Jixing Sui, Xinzheng Li, Pat Hutchings, João Miguel de Matos Nogueira

Abstract: A new species of the ampharetid genus Amphicteis, A. hwanghaiensis sp. nov., is described based on material from the Yellow Sea. The new species is characterized by the possession of long, stout, golden paleae with blunt tips, digitiform rudimentary notopodia on the abdominal uncinigers, uncini with a subrostral process, and a narrow rectangular hump separating branchial groups. Amphicteis dalmatica was redescribed from type materials at the Australian Museum, Sydney, and the differences between A. dalmatica and A. hwanghaiensis sp. nov. are discussed. A key to distinguish Amphicteis species described or reported in Western Pacific waters is provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.955.53106

Authors: Maksim I. Degtyarev, Iurii M. Lebedev, Ksenia G. Kuznetsova, Konstantin B. Gongalsky

Abstract: A list of terrestrial enchytraeids of the Russian Far East is compiled based on literature and extensive field data collected by the authors in 2019. A database has been created consisting of geographic coordinates, habitat type, species, and data source. For some species collected by the authors, barcoding using COI, 16s, and 12s rRNA genes has been performed. In total, there are at least 62 species of enchytraeids belonging to 12 genera. Seven species (Achaeta macroampullacea, Cognettia sphagnetorum, Enchytraeus dichaetus, Fridericia cusanica, Globulidrilus riparius, Marionina southerni, Mesenchytraeus gigachaetus) are reported in the Russian Far East for the first time. Cognettia sphagnetorum and F. cusanica are most probably introduced. Taxonomic and biogeographical remarks on some of the species found and differences from the original descriptions are provided. Some of the specimens may be undescribed species, but this requires a more in-depth examination. The Russian Far East, especially its southeastern part, is of great interest as a possible location for new species of enchytraeids.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.951.51686

Authors: Jintana Plathong, Pablo Hernández-Alcántara, Leslie Harris, Sakanan Plathong

Abstract: Two new species of Aricidea Webster, 1879 (Paraonidae), Aricidea (Acmira) anusakdii sp. nov. and Aricidea (Aricidea) thammapinanae sp. nov. were collected from 10–26.5 m depth, in soft bottoms with mud mixed with sand and shells at Songkhla Sea, the Gulf of Thailand between 2011–2018. Aricidea (Acmira) anusakdii sp. nov. is clearly distinguished from other species of the subgenus Acmira by having a rounded bilobed prostomium divided by a slight notch on the anterior margin; red pigments on the subdistal to the tip of each branchia (new character); two prebranchial chaetigers; 48–68 pairs of branchiae; and modified neurochaetae as strong curved spines with blunt shafts surrounded by pubescence from chaetigers 19–44. On the other hand, Aricidea (Aricidea) thammapinanae sp. nov. can be separated from other members of the subgenus Aricidea by the presence of a biarticulated median antenna; distinctive notopodial lobes as broad triangular with short distal protuberances on chaetiger 3, 4–8 pairs of branchiae; and modified neurochaetae as bidentate neurochaetae with a long pubescent subterminal arista on the concave side. All data have been archived and are freely available from the Dryad Digital Repository (https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.hqbzkh1cn).

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.946.50662

Authors: Jun-Hui Lin, María E. García-Garza, Ming-Xin Lyu, Jian-Jun Wang

Abstract: The genus Notomastus is frequently encountered in Chinese waters. However, its species richness is poorly understood. In this study, a Notomastus species obtained from Xiamen Bay, southern China, was described and illustrated as a new species (N. sunae sp. nov.), based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new species is characterized by having uniramous chaetiger 1, the presence of palpode and eyespots on prostomium, chaetiger 11 with notopodial capillaries and neuropodial hooded hooks, and notopodial lobes with simple epithelial extensions on far posterior abdomen. With additional specimens collected from several localities along the southern coasts of China, the morphology and geographical distribution of the new species are discussed. A key is also provided for Notomastus species with neuropodial hooks in thoracic chaetiger 11.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.943.48760

Authors: Hyun Ki Choi, Hana Kim, Seong Myeong Yoon

Abstract: A detailed description and illustrations of a new terebellid species are provided, and molecular information based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene are included. The new species, Neoamphitrite undevigintipes sp. nov., is described from the deep sea off the eastern coast of South Korea. It is similar to Neoamphitrite groenlandica (Malmgren, 1866) in that the thorax has 19 notopodial chaetigers. However, Neoamphitrite undevigintipes sp. nov. is clearly distinguishable from N. groenlandica in having the uncini of the first abdominal chaetiger arranged in a single row and in having 12 ventral shields. A taxonomic key to all known Neoamphitrite species is also included.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.941.49319

Authors: Diana Ortíz-Gamino, Josefat Gregorio, Luis Cunha, Esperanza Martínez-Romero, Carlos Fragoso, Ángel I. Ortíz-Ceballos

Abstract: Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857) is an invasive tropical earthworm, globally distributed. It reproduces through parthenogenesis, which theoretically results in low genetic diversity. The analysis of the population structure of P. corethrurus using molecular markers may significantly contribute to understanding the ecology and reproductive system of this earthworm species. This work assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of P. corethrurus with 34 polymorphic inter simple sequence repeat markers, covering four populations in tropical and temperate pastures from Veracruz State. Nuclear markers distinguished two genetic clusters, probably corresponding to two distinct genetic lineages. The number of clones detected in the AC population was lower than expected for a parthenogenetic species. Also, the apparent lack of differences in population structures related to the geographic region among the populations studied may indicate that human-mediated transference is prevalent in these areas. Still, most individuals apparently belong to lineage A, and only a few individuals seem to belong to the lineage B. Thus, the admixture signatures found among the four populations of P. corethrurus may have facilitated a successful invasion by directly increasing fitness. In summary, addressing the genetic variation of P. corethrurus with ISSR markers was a suitable approach, as it evidenced the genetic diversity and relationships in the populations evaluated.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.938.49349

Authors: Lenka Neal, Gordon L. J. Paterson, David Blockley, Ben Scott, Emma Sherlock, Cate Huque, Adrian G. Glover

Abstract: Benthic environmental impact assessments and monitoring programs accompanying offshore hydrocarbon industry activities result in large collections of benthic organisms. Such collections offer great potential for systematics, biodiversity and biogeography research, but these opportunities are only rarely realised. In recent decades, the hydrocarbon industry has started exploration activities in offshore waters off the Falkland Islands. A large collection of ca. 25,000 polychaete (Annelida) specimens, representing some 233 morphological species was processed at the Natural History Museum, London. Taxonomic assessment led to recognition of many polychaete species that are new to science. The existing taxonomic literature for the region is outdated and many species in existing literature are likely misidentifications. Initially, an online taxonomic guide (http://falklands.myspecies.info) was created, to provide a single taxonomic source for 191 polychaete species to standardise identification across different environmental contractors working in Falkland Islands. Here, this effort is continued to make data available for 18,015 specimens through publication of raw biodiversity data, checklist with links to online taxonomic information and formal descriptions of five new species. New species were chosen across different families to highlight the taxonomic novelty of this area: Apistobranchus jasoni Neal & Paterson, sp. nov. (Apistobranchidae), Leitoscoloplos olei Neal & Paterson, sp. nov. (Orbiniidae), Prosphaerosyllis modinouae Neal & Paterson, sp. nov. (Syllidae) and Aphelochaeta falklandica Paterson & Neal, sp. nov., and Dodecaceria saeria Paterson & Neal, sp. nov. (both Cirratulidae). The potential of the Falkland Islands material to provide up to date informationfor known species described in the literature is also highlighted by publishing images and redescription of Harmothoe anderssoni Bergström, 1916 and Aphelochaeta longisetosa (Hartmann-Schröder, 1965). Biodiversity and abundance data are made available through a DarwinCore database, including material collected from 83 stations at Sea Lion developmental oil field in North Falklands Basin and voucher specimens’ data collected from exploratory oil wells in East Falklands Basin.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.933.49314

Authors: Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Putita Jiranuntskul, Takafumi Nakano, Chirasak Sutcharit, Somsak Panha

Abstract: Hirudinaria manillensis (Lesson, 1842), commonly known as the buffalo leech, shows a polymorphism of two ventral colorations. The green color morph has a plain green ventral surface and the red color morph has a brick-red ventral surface with two black submarginal stripes. Based on molecular and morphological evidence in the present study, these two color morphs were revealed as two different species. The red color morph fits well with the description of H. manillensis, while the green color morph showed some distinctions, and therefore is described herein as Hirudinaria thailandica Jeratthitikul & Panha, sp. nov. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the dark greenish or dark olive ventral surface and a round atrium with ventral insertion of ejaculatory ducts in the male reproductive organ. A phylogenetic tree based on concatenated data of COI and 28S genes supported the new species and further indicated it as a sister species to H. bpling Phillips, 2012.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.932.50314

Authors: Tung T. Nguyen, Dang H. Lam, Binh T. K. Trinh, Anh D. Nguyen

Abstract: The megascolecid earthworms of the Phu Quoc island are intensively investigated. Twelve species in three genera (Lampito Kinberg, 1867, Amynthas Kinberg, 1867, and Metaphire Sims & Easton, 1972) are recorded. Of these, Metaphire doiphamon Bantaowong & Panha, 2016 is recorded for the first time in Vietnam, and three species are newly described, namely Amynthas catenatus sp. nov., A. phuquocensis sp. nov., and A. poropapillatus sp. nov. An identification key to 12 megascolecid species is provided as well.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.932.48532

Authors: Avery S. Hatch, Haebin Liew, Stéphane Hourdez, Greg W. Rouse

Abstract: Polynoidae Kinberg, 1856 has five branchiate genera: Branchipolynoe Pettibone, 1984, Branchinotogluma Pettibone, 1985, Branchiplicatus Pettibone, 1985, Peinaleopolynoe Desbruyères & Laubier, 1988, and Thermopolynoe Miura, 1994, all native to deep-sea, chemosynthetic-based habitats. Of these, Peinaleopolynoe has two accepted species; Peinaleopolynoe sillardi Desbruyères & Laubier, 1988 (Atlantic Ocean) and Peinaleopolynoe santacatalina Pettibone, 1993 (East Pacific Ocean). The goal of this study was to assess the phylogenetic position of Peinaleopolynoe, utilizing DNA sequences from a broad sampling of deep-sea polynoids. Representatives from all five branchiate genera were included, several species of which were sampled from near the type localities; Branchinotogluma sandersi Pettibone, 1985 from the Galápagos Rift (E/V “Nautilus”); Peinaleopolynoe sillardi from organic remains in the Atlantic Ocean; Peinaleopolynoe santacatalina from a whalefall off southern California (R/V “Western Flyer”) and Thermopolynoe branchiata Miura, 1994 from Lau Back-Arc Basin in the western Pacific (R/V “Melville”). Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using mitochondrial (COI, 16S rRNA, and CytB) and nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and H3) genes. The analyses revealed four new Peinaleopolynoe species from the Pacific Ocean that are formally described here: Peinaleopolynoe orphanae Hatch & Rouse, sp. nov., type locality Pescadero Basin in the Gulf of California, Mexico (R/V “Western Flyer”); Peinaleopolynoe elvisi Hatch & Rouse, sp. nov. and Peinaleopolynoe goffrediae Hatch & Rouse, sp. nov., both with a type locality in Monterey Canyon off California (R/V “Western Flyer”) and Peinaleopolynoe mineoi Hatch & Rouse, sp. nov. from Costa Rica methane seeps (R/V “Falkor”). In addition to DNA sequence data, the monophyly of Peinaleopolynoe is supported by the presence of ventral papillae on segments 12–15. The results also demonstrated the paraphyly of Branchinotogluma and Lepidonotopodium Pettibone, 1983 and taxonomic revision of these genera is required. We apply the subfamily name Lepidonotopodinae Pettibone 1983, for the clade comprised of Branchipolynoe, Branchinotogluma, Bathykurila, Branchiplicatus, Lepidonotopodium, Levensteiniella Pettibone, 1985, Thermopolynoe, and Peinaleopolynoe.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.910.48486

Authors: Maria A. Baturina, Irina A. Kaygorodova, Olga A. Loskutova

Abstract: One of the features of the tundra zone is the diversity of freshwater bodies, where, among benthic invertebrates, representatives of Annelida are the most significant component in terms of ecological and species diversity. The oligochaete and leech faunas have previously been studied in two of the three largest lake ecosystems of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra (the Vashutkiny Lakes system, Lake Ambarty and some other lakes in the Korotaikha River basin). This article provides current data on annelid fauna from the third lake ecosystem in the region, Kharbey Lakes and adjacent water bodies. The annelid fauna includes 68 species, including 51 oligochaete species, and 17 species of leeches. For each species, we give information on currently recognised classification, taxonomic synonymy, geographical distribution, findings of the species within the Russian tundra, and brief ecological characteristics.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.908.38203

Authors: Nataliya Yu. Dnestrovskaya

Abstract: Currently, nine species of Nephtyidae (Annelida) are known from the Black Sea. A new user-friendly identification key is presented with a brief description for each species based on type material and recently collected specimens from the Black Sea.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.893.39594

Authors: Sergio I. Salazar-Vallejo, Alexandra E. Rizzo, J. Ángel de León-González, Kalina M. Brauco

Abstract: Sigambra grubii Müller, 1858 has been reported from many different coastal environments in Brazil and the Grand Caribbean. However, more than one species was thought to be included under this species group name. After the study of several subtle and consistent differences in specimens fitting the description S. grubii, a new Grand Caribbean species is herein recognized and described as S. hernandezi sp. nov. Further, the study of other Sigambra specimens prompted the examination of type specimens of S. bassi (Hartman, 1947), and of S. wassi Pettibone, 1966 to clarify some morphological features, and three other new species are recognized and newly described: S. diazi sp. nov. and S. ligneroi sp. nov. from the southeastern Caribbean (Venezuela), and S. olivai sp. nov. from the northwestern Caribbean (México). Morphological features are also clarified for S. grubii by comparison with specimens from the type locality, Florianópolis, Brazil, and with type specimens of S. bassi from Florida (U.S.A.), and non-type specimens of S. wassi from Virginia (USA). A key to identify all species of Sigambra is also included.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.885.37279

Authors: Alla A. Kolesnikova, Maria A. Baturina, Dmitry M. Shadrin, Tatyana N. Konakova, Anastasia A. Taskaeva

Abstract: The terrestrial environment of the East European tundra consists of a mosaic of habitat types. In addition to the natural habitat diversity, various human-influenced types may occur. In the town of Vorkuta, Komi Republic, Russia the manure-enriched soils near hydrogen sulfide springs were observed. This site represents an unusually nutrient-rich location with considerable development of organic soils, in contrast to the naturally forming soils in East European tundra which are typically thin and nutrient poor. In these organic soils, two species of Lumbricidae and two species of Collembola previously not recorded from the natural ecosystems in the study area of research territory were found. One earthworm species, Dendrodrilus rubidus tenuis, is likely to have been introduced. The presence of the three other species (Eiseniella tetraedra, Folsomia fimetaria, and Proisotoma minuta) is quite natural in East European tundra and such anthropogenic soils with high organic content may be a good habitat for them.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.884.30988

Authors: Yan Dong, Michelle Man Suet Law, JiBao Jiang, JiangPing Qiu

Abstract: Three new species and one subspecies of the genus Amynthas are described from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China: The new species are: Amynthas maximus Qiu & Dong, sp. nov. and Amynthas tortuosus Qiu & Dong, sp. nov., and Amynthas shengtangmontis Dong & Jiang, sp. nov., the subspecies is Amynthas shengtangmontis minusculus subsp. nov. All have four pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6–8/9, which indicates that they should belong to the corticis-group. Their morphological characteristics are compared to other similar species in the corticis-group from China and other Asian countries, such as Amynthas pulvinus Sun & Jiang, 2013, Amynthas homosetus (Chen, 1938), Amynthas corticis (Kinberg, 1867), Amynthas dorsualis Sun & Qiu, 2013, and Amynthas carnosus (Goto & Hatai, 1899). In addition, the results presented are confirmed by the pairwise comparison of COI barcode sequences. The pairwise distances between each new species and the other eighteen corticis-group species are greater than 14.7% on average. Furthermore, the pairwise distance between A. shengtangmontis shengtangmontis and A. shengtangmontis minusculus is 10.7–11.4%.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.883.36193

Authors: Helena Wiklund, Lenka Neal, Adrian G. Glover, Regan Drennan, Muriel Rabone, Thomas G. Dahlgren

Abstract: We present DNA taxonomy of abyssal polychaete worms from the eastern Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), central Pacific Ocean, using material collected as part of the Abyssal Baseline (ABYSSLINE) environmental survey cruises ‘AB01’ and ‘AB02’ to the UK Seabed Resources Ltd (UKSRL) polymetallic nodule exploration contract area ‘UK-1’, the Ocean Mineral Singapore exploration contract area ‘OMS-1’ and an Area of Particular Environmental Interest, ‘APEI-6’. This is the fourth paper in a series to provide regional taxonomic data with previous papers reporting on Cnidaria, Echinodermata and Mollusca. Taxonomic data are presented for 23 species from 85 records within four polychaete families: Capitellidae, Opheliidae, Scalibregmatidae and Travisiidae, identified by a combination of morphological and genetic data, including molecular phylogenetic analyses. Two taxa (genetically separated from one another) morphologically matched the same known cosmopolitan species, Ophelina abranchiata that has a type locality in a different ocean basin and depth from where no genetic data was available. These two species were assigned the open nomenclature ‘cf.’ as a precautionary approach in taxon assignments to avoid over-estimating species ranges. Twelve (12) taxa are here described as new species, Ammotrypanella keenani sp. nov., Ammotrypanella kersteni sp. nov., Ophelina curli sp. nov., Ophelina ganae sp. nov., Ophelina juhazi sp. nov., Ophelina martinezarbizui sp. nov., Ophelina meyerae sp. nov., Ophelina nunnallyi sp. nov., Oligobregma brasierae sp. nov., Oligobregma tani sp. nov., Oligobregma whaleyi sp. nov. and Travisia zieglerae sp. nov. For the remaining nine taxa, we have determined them to be potentially new species, for which we make the raw data, imagery and vouchers available for future taxonomic study. The CCZ is a region undergoing intense exploration for potential deep-sea mineral extraction from polymetallic nodules. We present these data to facilitate future taxonomic and environmental impact study by making both data and voucher materials available through curated and accessible biological collections.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.882.35229

Authors: Poramad Trivalairat, Krittiya Chiangkul, Watchariya Purivirojkul

Abstract: Abstract A new species of glossiphoniid leech, Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov., is reported in the Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata) and the dark-bellied leaf turtle (C. enigmatica) from Songkhla Province, southern Thailand. The examination of morphological characters revealed that this new species is similar to P. siamensis (Oka, 1917), a common turtle leech species found in Thailand. Placobdelloides sirikanchanae sp. nov. demonstrates distinct morphological characters, with an elongated, narrow body, 13–17 well-developed knob papillae on each annulus, dark brown to greenish dorsal color with a crimson median line, the absence of a scarlet dot, different male and female gonopore distributions, a rough posterior sucker with a random pit distribution, and 104–115 eggs per clutch. The phylogenetic relationships of COI-ND1 genes were clarified and shown to be distinct from those of P. siamensis. Additionally, habitat preferences tended toward low oxygen conditions such as puddles or water patches on rubber plantations.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.880.36281

Authors: Eijiroh Nishi, Katsuhiko Tanaka, María Ana Tovar-Hernández

Abstract: A new species of the sabellid polychaete genus Claviramus Fitzhugh, 2002, is described from Ariake Inland Sea, Kyushu, Japan. Claviramus is a small genus, composed of three species worldwide. Its distinctive feature is the presence of foliaceous flanges at the distal ends of the radioles. Claviramus kyushuensis sp. nov. here described is characterized by the presence of a glandular ridge on chaetiger 2, glandular shields on the abdomen, thoracic uncini bidentate, and the presence of a short, distal filament in some radioles. A key and a comparative table of diagnostic characters for species of Claviramus are provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.869.34380

Authors: Man-Ki Jeong, Ho Young Soh, Hae-Lip Suh

Abstract: Three undescribed species of Heteromastus Eisig, 1887 were collected from intertidal to sublittoral habitats in western and southern waters of Korea. Heteromastus namhaensis sp. nov. is distinguishable from other congeners by the presence of hemispheric notopodial lobes in the posterior abdomen. Heteromastus gusipoensis sp. nov. closely resembles H. tohbaiensis Yabe & Mawatari, 1998 in the absence of posteriorly extended abdominal notopodial lobes, but differs in the absence of eyespots on the prostomium and distinct node on the shaft of thoracic hooks in H. gusipoensis. Heteromastus koreanus sp. nov. is similar to H. filiformis sensu Hutchings & Rainer, 1982 in the shape of abdominal notopodia, but clearly differs in dentition of the abdominal hooks and methylene green staining pattern (MGSP). DNA sequences (mtCOI and histone H3) of these new Korean species were compared with all sequences of Heteromastus species available in the public database. Molecular results showed distinct genetic differences among these three new Korean species at species level. Comparison of mtCOI gene revealed significant genetic difference between H. filiformis and these Korean species. A comprehensive comparison between three Heteromastus species of present study and their closely related congeners is conducted based on morphological and genetic results.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.862.35727

Authors: Teerapong Seesamut, Parin Jirapatrasilp, Ratmanee Chanabun, Yuichi Oba, Somsak Panha

Abstract: The luminous earthworm Pontodrilus litoralis (Grube, 1855) occurs in a very wide range of subtropical and tropical coastal areas. Morphometrics on size variation (number of segments, body length and diameter) and genetic analysis using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene sequence were conducted on 14 populations of P. litoralis from Southeast Asia and Japan. Statistical inference on morphometric data revealed significantly different size variations in the body length and diameter among these 14 populations of P. litoralis. However, discordance between the morphometric and mitochondrial COI gene-based phylogenetic analyses was evident, where the size variations in P. litoralis showed a different pattern from the COI genetic differences. The update on the current distribution of P. litoralis is reported and revealed different aspects of the littoral habitat characteristics between Southeast Asia and Japan.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.859.34117

Authors: Nicolas Lavesque, Guillemine Daffe, Jacques Grall, Joana Zanol, Benoit Gouillieux, Pat Hutchings

Abstract: The common bait worm Marphysa sanguinea (Montagu, 1813), originally described from the south coast of England, is the type species of the genus. This species has been widely reported from all around the world and has been considered as cosmopolitan until recently. This is partly because the original description was very brief and poorly illustrated, and also because all species superficially look similar. In order to clarify the situation, M. sanguinea was redescribed and a neotype was designated by Hutchings and Karageorgpoulos in 2003. Recently, specimens from Cornwall, close to the type locality, were sampled, examined morphologically, and used to obtain COI gene sequences for this species. Molecular results permitted us to confirm the identity and presence of M. sanguinea along the French coasts and to highlight the presence of inaccurate sequences of this species on GenBank. Use of this “false” cosmopolitan species at a worldwide scale by many biologists is also discussed in this paper.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.845.32428

Authors: María Capa, Arne Nygren, Julio Parapar, Torkild Bakken, Karin Meißner, Juan Moreira

Abstract: Detailed morphological study of more than 2600 North East Atlantic (NEA) sphaerodorids (Sphaerodoridae Annelida) and phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences of representatives of several identified morphospecies enforced changing the current systematic classification within the family allowed the discovery of new species provided new information about the morphological and genetic characterisation of members of this group and increased the species occurrence data to better infer their geographic and bathymetric distribution ranges. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA) and mitochondrial sequences (COI and 16S rRNA) of NEA short-bodied sphaerodorids revealed outstanding results including paraphyly of the genera Sphaerodoropsis Sphaerodoridium, and Sphaerephesia. The number of longitudinal and transverse rows of dorsal macrotubercles is proposed as potential synapomorphies for the main clades and are consequently herein used for the genera delimitation. The new classification proposed here implies nomenclatural changes and the erection of a new genus Geminofilum gen. n. to accommodate the species previously considered as Sphaerodoropsis with two transverse rows of dorsal macrotubercles per segment. Four species are being described herein: Euritmia nordica Capa & Bakken sp. n. Sphaerephesia multichaeta Capa Moreira & Parapar sp. n. Sphaerephesia ponsi Capa Parapar & Moreira sp. n. and Sphaerodoridium celiae Moreira Capa & Parapar sp. n. Characterisation of the other 21 species including updated iconography and an identification key to all NEA short-bodied sphaerodorids are provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.838.28634

Authors: Céline Labrune, Nicolas Lavesque, Paulo Bonifácio, Pat Hutchings

Abstract: A new species of Terebellidae, Pista colini sp. n., has been identified from the harbour of Banyuls-sur-Mer, north-western Mediterranean Sea. This new species was found in very high densities, exclusively in gravelly sand deposited manually, and was not found in the original source habitat of the gravel. This species is characterized by the colour of the ventral shields with pinkish anterior part and a blood red posterior part in live specimens, a pair of unequal-sized plumose branchiae inserted on segment II and anterior thoracic neuropodia with long-handled uncini. The presence of long-handled uncini even in the smallest specimens constitutes the major difference between Pista colini sp. n. and other Pista species with a single pair of branchiae such as P. lornensis and P. bansei.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.831.28588

Authors: Nur Fazne Ibrahim, Yusof Shuaib Ibrahim, Masanori Sato

Abstract: An estuarine species of Nereididae (Annelida), Neanthes glandicincta (Southern, 1921) has been newly recorded on the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia located in the South China Sea based on 23 specimens collected from three estuaries (Tumpat, Kelantan Delta, Kelantan; Setiu Lagoon, Terengganu; Kuala Ibai, Terengganu). The morphological characteristics of the Malaysian specimens agree well with those of the previous original description and the redescription of N. glandicincta based on Indian, Myanmar and Singapore specimens. The number of paragnaths in all groups on the proboscis of our Malaysian specimens is within the range of the intraspecific variation of N. glandicincta as shown in the previous descriptions. An identification key to species of the Neanthes glandicincta species complex, which includes two morphologically similar species, is provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.824.25544

Authors: Klára Dózsa-Farkas, Tamás Felföldi, Hajnalka Nagy, Yong Hong

Abstract: The enchytraeid fauna of three areas in Jeju Island (Korea) was studied, and comparative morphological and molecular taxonomic examinations (based on CO1, ITS and H3 sequences) were performed on nine samples collected in 2016. Twenty-two enchytraeid species were recorded and identified. The descriptions of two new species (Achaeta multisacculata sp. n. and Fridericia floriformis sp. n.) are presented in this paper. The main diagnostic features of A. multisacculata sp. n. are: three pairs of pyriform glands per segment, clitellum with two “baguette-like” packages of glands, dorsal blood vessel from VII, secondary pharyngeal glands absent, oesophageal appendages well developed, two pairs of preclitellar nephridia, the reproductive organs (except the spermathecae in V) shifted one segment forward. The main features of F. floriformis sp. n. are that they are large worms, have up to 2–4 chaetae in bundles, strong body wall, thick cuticle, five pairs of preclitellar nephridia, c-type coelomo-mucocytes sometimes with some refractile vesicles, chylus cells in XII–XV, sperm funnels approximately twice as long than wide, spermathecae with long ectal duct without glands, ampullae surrounded distally by about 9–12 sessile diverticula of varying size. Molecular phylogenetic analyses supported the morphological results and confirmed the status of the two new species.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.814.28869

Authors: Yoshihiro Fujiwara, Naoto Jimi, Paulo Y.G. Sumida, Masaru Kawato, Hiroshi Kitazato

Abstract: A new species of bone-eating annelid, Osedax braziliensis sp. n., found in a sunken whale carcass at a depth of 4,204 m at the base of the São Paulo Ridge in the South Atlantic Ocean off the Brazilian coast is described. The organism was retrieved using the human-occupied vehicle Shinkai 6500 during the QUELLE 2013 expedition. This is the 26th species of the genus and the first discovery from the South Atlantic Ocean, representing the deepest record of Osedax worldwide to date. This species morphologically resembles Osedax frankpressi but is distinguished by the presence of a yellow bump or patch behind the prostomium and its trunk length. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using three genetic markers (COI, 16S, and 18S) showed that O. braziliensis sp. n. is distinct from all other Osedax worms reported and is a sister species of O. frankpressi.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.810.26910

Authors: Víctor Hugo Delgado-Blas, Óscar Díaz-Díaz, José M. Viéitez

Abstract: Five species of Prionospio Malmgren, 1867, each with four pairs of branchiae, are studied from coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Two of these species, Prionospio cristaventralis sp. n. and P. parapari sp. n., are new to science, whereas P. caspersi Laubier, 1962, P. fallax Söderström, 1920, and P. ehlersi Fauvel, 1928 have been previously recorded. Prionospio cristaventralis sp. n. is characterized by having ventral crests present on chaetigers XI–XIX, dorsal crests and low crests on chaetigers X–XXXIV, triangular neuropodial postchaetal lamellae with pointed ventral edges on chaetiger II, oval neuropodial lamellae on chaetiger III, digitiform pinnules on the posterior face of the first and fourth pairs, and branchial pairs II and III are triangular. Prionospio parapari sp. n. is characterized by having rounded neuropodial postchaetal lamellae on chaetiger I, digitiform pinnules on the posterior face of the first and fourth pairs, branchial pairs II and III are cirriform, low dorsal crests on chaetigers VIII–IX, and oval neuropodial lamellae with enlarged dorsal edges on chaetiger III. A key is given to all Prionospio species with four pairs of branchiae known from the Iberian Peninsula coastline.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.806.27436

Authors: Hyun Ki Choi, Hana Kim, Seong Myeong Yoon

Abstract: A new cirratulid species, Timarete posteria sp. n., is described from the intertidal habitats of the eastern coast of South Korea. The new species is closely related to Timarete luxuriosa (Moore, 1904) from southern California based on morphological similarity of the branchial and tentacular finalents and the noto- and neuropodial spines. However, T. posteria sp. n. differs from the latter based on the following characteristics: 1) evenly divided peristomium into three annulations; 2) 2–4 neuropodial spines originating in the posterior chaetigers alternated by a few capillaries; and 3) complete shift in branchial finalents located about one-third between the notopodium and the dorsal midline. The new species has a methyl green staining pattern (MGSP) distinct from other Timarete species. Detailed description and illustrations of the new species are provided with molecular information based on the partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S). This study also includes a key and discussion of known Timarete species from East Asia.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.805.24834

Authors: Fahri Fahri, Rizki Amaliah, Bambang Suryobroto, Tri Atmowidi, Anh D. Nguyen

Abstract: Three new earthworm species are described from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Two belong to the genus Pithemera Sims & Easton, 1972, namely P. suwastikai Fahri, Amaliah & Atmowidi, sp. n. and P. tadulako Fahri, Amaliah & Atmowidi, sp. n. The new species, P. suwastikai sp. n. is distinguished by a medium size (135–165 mm long, 4.5–6.5 mm diameter), four pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6/7/8/9, 7–12 setae between male pores, no genital markings, holandry, and simple intestinal caeca. Pithemera tadulako sp. n. is recognized by a large size (217–340 mm long, 13–15 mm diameter), two pairs of spermathecal pores in 7/8/9, no setae between male pores, no genital markings, holandry, and simple intestinal caeca. Another new species, Metaphire rusydii Fahri, Amaliah & Nguyen, sp. n., is diagnosed by its large size (250–280 mm long,12–16 mm diameter), two pairs of spermathecal pores in 7/8/9, no setae between male porophores, presence of genital markings in the male region, holandry, and complex intestinal caeca. Additionally, an identification key to “caecate” species is provided to the Sulawesi’s fauna.

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DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.794.28088

Authors: Anna L. Klass, Svetlana E. Sokolova, Alexander V. Kondakov, Yuliya V. Bespalaya, Mikhail Yu. Gofarov, Alena A. Tomilova, Ilya V. Vikhrev, Ivan N. Bolotov

Abstract: Associations of various invertebrate species with bryozoans and sponges are a well-known marine phenomenon but such epizooic communities are far less diverse in freshwater environments. Here an occurrence of numerous leeches Alboglossiphonia cf. papillosa (Braun, 1805), in interstitial spaces between zooids of a colony of the freshwater bryozoan species Plumatella aff. fungosa (Pallas, 1768) in Eastern Siberia is described. To the best of our knowledge, this record appears to be the first known example of a leech-bryozoan association, although such relationships deserve further research.

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