A new species of Euclymene (Maldanidae, Annelida) from Brazil, with new combinations, and phylogenetic implications for Euclymeninae

• Published in: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências
• Main Authors: JOSÉ ERIBERTO DE ASSIS, JOSÉ ROBERTO BOTELHO DE SOUZA, KIRK FITZHUGH, MARTIN LINDSEY CHRISTOFFERSEN
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Academia Brasileira de Ciências 2022
• Subjects: Euclymeninae; Maldanidae; new species; polychaeta; systematics; Science; Q; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765202220210283; https://doaj.org/article/43dae209495a43b1949307db91dee3b1

Abstract Maldanids are tube-building polychaetes, known as bamboo-worms; inhabit diverse marine regions throughout the world. The subfamily Euclymeninae was proposed to include forms with anal and cephalic plates, a funnel-shaped pygidium, and a terminal anus. Euclymene, the type genus of Euclymeninae, has about 18 valid species. Euclymene vidali sp. nov. is defined and members of the species described from Northeastern Brazil. Members of this species have 23 chaetigers, and one pre-pygidial achaetous segment; nuchal grooves extend through three quarters of the cephalic plate, and there is one acicular spine with a denticulate tip. Euclymene africana, and E. watsoni, are here recognized, respectively, as Isocirrus africana comb. nov., and I. watsoni comb. nov. Three monotypic genera are invalid: Macroclymenella, Eupraxillella, and Pseudoclyemene; their species should be recognized as Clymenella stewartensis com. nov., Praxillella antarctica com. nov., and Praxillela quadrilobata com. nov., respectively. An identification key and a comparative table for all species of Euclymene are provided. A comparative table for all genera of Euclymeninae is also furnished. The paraphyletic status of Euclymene and Euclymeninae is discussed. The taxon Maldanoplaca is not code compliant and should only be regarded as an informal name.