A commented catalogue of Polyophthalmus Quatrefages, 1850 (Annelida, Opheliidae) including a new species from Brazil
Magalhães, W.F.; Corrêa Seixas, V.; Barroso, R. (2026). A commented catalogue of Polyophthalmus Quatrefages, 1850 (Annelida, Opheliidae) including a new species from Brazil. Zootaxa 5873(1): 32-48. https://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5873.1.2
In: Zootaxa. Magnolia Press: Auckland. ISSN 1175-5326; e-ISSN 1175-5334, more
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| Keyword |
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| Author keywords |
polychaetes; opheliids; taxonomic catalogue; northeastern Brazil |
| Authors | | Top |
- Magalhães, W.F.
- Corrêa Seixas, V.
- Barroso, R.
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| Abstract |
Polyophthalmus Quatrefages, 1850 is a small but taxonomically challenging genus of Opheliidae, historically marked by complex synonymizations. Although 20 nominal species and subspecies have been described worldwide, most were later synonymized with P. pictus. Here, we provide a commented taxonomic catalogue based on original descriptions and historical literature, highlighting characters of potential diagnostic value and identifying several taxa that warrant re-evaluation. We also describe Polyophthalmus baianus sp. nov., from northwestern Brazil, the first species of the genus described from the southwestern Atlantic. The new species is distinguished by the absence of a prostomial palpode, presence of interramal papillae and minute dorsal and ventral cirri throughout the body, distribution of 12–14 pairs of segmental eyespots, and an anal cone bearing six pairs of marginal papillae. COI and 16S genetic distances support the distinctiveness of the new species from other available Polyophthalmus molecular data. Our results reinforce the need to reassess long-standing synonymizations, redescribe available type material, and recollect topotypic specimens to clarify species boundaries and better understand diversification within Polyophthalmus. |
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