Análise filogenética de espécies selecionadas do gênero Eunice (Eunicidae, Polychaeta)

Most specimens examined in previous studies of the genus Eunice have been incomplete. This lead problems in the taxonomy of the genus, large amount of missing characters in cladistic analyses and inconclusive results. ln this study, complete specimens of 23 species of Eunice were examined and a cladistic analysis was performed. The purpose was to define monophyletic groups within Eunice that could be used to divide this genus into "new" genera, since it has been shown to be paraphyletic in a previous analysis. Some of the coded characters were used for the first time, most of them features of the buccal apparatus. Eunice sensu lato was divided in three clades, and the genera Marphysa, Lysidice and Palola fell inside it. A common feature to the present, preliminary and former results was the placement of Eunice antennata and Eunice aphroditois in clades apart. Perhaps one corresponds to the old genus Leodice, since it includes E. antennata, its type species. The clade including E. aphroditois, type species of the genus Eunice, may be considered as Eunice sensu stricto. The third group, which may be the result of a misrepresentation of the diversity of species, will most probably turn out to be invalid in future analyses. The groups usually used to subdivide the genus Eunice, based on the color and dentition of the subacicular hooks and branchial distribution, were shown to be paraphyletic.FAPERJCAPESEm estudos anteriores sobre o gênero Eunice, a maioria dos espécimes examinados estava incompleta. O que acarreta problemas na taxonomia do gênero, um grande número de caracteres indetermináveis nas análises cladísticas e resultados inconclusivos. Nesse estudo, espécimes completos de 23 espécies de Eunice foram examinados e uma análise cladística realizada, com o objetivo de definir grupos monofiléticos dentro do gênero Eunice que pudessem ser usados na divisão desse em "novos" gêneros, já que em uma análise anterior esse foi demonstrado ser parafilético. Alguns dos caracteres codificados foram usados pela primeira vez, a maioria características do aparelho bucal. Eunice sensu lato foi dividido em três clados e os gêneros Marphysa, Lysidice e Palola inseridos dentro dele. Uma característica comum ao presente resultado, aos preliminares e ao de um estudo anterior é a constante separação das espécies Eunice aphroditois e Eunice antennata em clados diferentes. Um deles talvez corresponda ao antigo gênero Leodice, já que inclui E. antennata, sua espécie tipo. O clado que inclui E. aphroditois, espécie tipo do gênero Eunice, provavelmente poderá ser considerado como Eunice sensu stricto. O terceiro clado, possivelmente é resultado de uma subamostragem da diversidade das espécies do gênero e provavelmente não estará presente em futuras análises. Os grupos geralmente utilizados na divisão do gênero, baseados na distribuição branquial, cor e dentição dos ganchos subaciculares, resultaram como parafiléticos

Digging the diversity of Iberian bait worms Marphysa (Annelida, Eunicidae).

During a visit to polychaete-rearing facilities in the vicinity of Bay of Ca´diz (SW Iberian Peninsula, Atlantic Ocean), we sampled two populations of Marphysa (Annelida, Eunicidae) originally occurring at nearby intertidal soft bottoms, one being more than twice as long as the other at the same age. We analysed them using partial sequences of two mitochondrial genes, 16S rDNA and Cytochrome Oxidase I, and classical morphological observations. Our molecular results confirmed that the two populations corresponded to two different species, with PTP species delimitation values ranging from 0.973 (long-bodied species) to 0.999 (short-bodied species). Morphologically, the short-bodied species resembles the recently redescribed M. sanguinea (Montagu, 1813), but differs mainly in having some parapodia with two subacicular hooks (one bidentate and one unidentate) and three types of pectinate chaetae, Two isodont present all along the body, and one particularly large anodont asymmetric appearing only from mid-posterior parapodia. The long-bodied species resembles Marphysa aegypti Elgetany, El-Ghobashy, Ghoneim and Struck, 2018 both in size and in having very robust, unidentate subacicular hooks (single in most parapodia, two-both similar in size and form-in some posterior parapodia), but differs, among other features, in the maxillary formula, the number of acicula per parapodia and the number and shape of pectinate chaetae. Accordingly, we are here fully illustrating and formally describing the two Iberian populations as Marphysa gaditana sp. nov. (short-bodied) and Marphysa chirigota sp. nov. (long-bodied) and we are emending the description of M. aegypti based on our revision of the type material. Also, we discuss on the distribution of the species of the sanguinea-group and on the relevancy of taxonomically robust studies when dealing with species of commercial interest having the potential of being globally spread through human activities, as well as on the misunderstandings caused by the incorrect use of the "cosmopolitan species" concept

Digging the diversity of Iberian bait worms Marphysa (Annelida, Eunicidae)

During a visit to polychaete-rearing facilities in the vicinity of Bay of Cádiz (SW Iberian Peninsula, Atlantic Ocean), we sampled two populations of Marphysa (Annelida, Eunicidae) originally occurring at nearby intertidal soft bottoms, one being more than twice as long as the other at the same age. We analysed them using partial sequences of two mitochondrial genes, 16S rDNA and Cytochrome Oxidase I, and classical morphological observations. Our molecular results confirmed that the two populations corresponded to two different species, with PTP species delimitation values ranging from 0.973 (long-bodied species) to 0.999 (short-bodied species). Morphologically, the short-bodied species resembles the recently redescribed M. sanguinea (Montagu, 1813), but differs mainly in having some parapodia with two subacicular hooks (one bidentate and one unidentate) and three types of pectinate chaetae, Two isodont present all along the body, and one particularly large anodont asymmetric appearing only from mid-posterior parapodia. The long-bodied species resembles Marphysa aegypti Elgetany, El-Ghobashy, Ghoneim and Struck, 2018 both in size and in having very robust, unidentate subacicular hooks (single in most parapodia, two-both similar in size and form-in some posterior parapodia), but differs, among other features, in the maxillary formula, the number of acicula per parapodia and the number and shape of pectinate chaetae. Accordingly, we are here fully illustrating and formally describing the two Iberian populations as Marphysa gaditana sp. nov. (short-bodied) and Marphysa chirigota sp. nov. (long-bodied) and we are emending the description of M. aegypti based on our revision of the type material. Also, we discuss on the distribution of the species of the sanguinea-group and on the relevancy of taxonomically robust studies when dealing with species of commercial interest having the potential of being globally spread through human activities, as well as on the misunderstandings caused by the incorrect use of the "cosmopolitan species" concept.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Current State of Eunicida (Annelida) Systematics and Biodiversity

In this study, we analyze the current state of knowledge on extant Eunicida systematics, morphology, feeding, life history, habitat, ecology, distribution patterns, local diversity and exploitation. Eunicida is an order of Errantia annelids characterized by the presence of ventral mandibles and dorsal maxillae in a ventral muscularized pharynx. The origin of Eunicida dates back to the late Cambrian, and the peaks of jaw morphology diversity and number of families are in the Ordovician. Species richness is heterogeneous among the seven recent families, with more than half of the valid species belonging to the Eunicidae + Onuphidae clade, one of the latest clades to diverge. Eunicidans inhabit soft and hard substrates from intertidal to deep waters in all oceans. The few freshwater species are restricted to Histriobdellidae, a family exclusively commensal/parasite of crustaceans. The reproductive biology, development and ecology of most families are poorly known and the information available suggests low dispersal ability. However, all families have records of widely distributed species. Scrutiny of these wide distributions has often revealed the presence of exotic species or more than one species. The exploration of the deep-sea and of new habitats has led to recent descriptions of new species. Furthermore, the revision of type specimens, the examination of new morphological features and the use of molecular data have revealed hidden biodiversity under unjustified synonyms, poor understanding of morphological features and incomplete descriptions. Molecular studies are still very few or nonexistent for the families Histriobdellidae, Hartmaniellidae, Lumbrineridae and Oenonidae. The integration of new methodologies for morphological and molecular study, along with information on biological and ecological traits appears to be the path to improve the knowledge on the diversity of Eunicida.publishedVersio

The Current State of Eunicida (Annelida) Systematics and Biodiversity

In this study, we analyze the current state of knowledge on extant Eunicida systematics, morphology, feeding, life history, habitat, ecology, distribution patterns, local diversity and exploitation. Eunicida is an order of Errantia annelids characterized by the presence of ventral mandibles and dorsal maxillae in a ventral muscularized pharynx. The origin of Eunicida dates back to the late Cambrian, and the peaks of jaw morphology diversity and number of families are in the Ordovician. Species richness is heterogeneous among the seven recent families, with more than half of the valid species belonging to the Eunicidae + Onuphidae clade, one of the latest clades to diverge. Eunicidans inhabit soft and hard substrates from intertidal to deep waters in all oceans. The few freshwater species are restricted to Histriobdellidae, a family exclusively commensal/parasite of crustaceans. The reproductive biology, development and ecology of most families are poorly known and the information available suggests low dispersal ability. However, all families have records of widely distributed species. Scrutiny of these wide distributions has often revealed the presence of exotic species or more than one species. The exploration of the deep-sea and of new habitats has led to recent descriptions of new species. Furthermore, the revision of type specimens, the examination of new morphological features and the use of molecular data have revealed hidden biodiversity under unjustified synonyms, poor understanding of morphological features and incomplete descriptions. Molecular studies are still very few or nonexistent for the families Histriobdellidae, Hartmaniellidae, Lumbrineridae and Oenonidae. The integration of new methodologies for morphological and molecular study, along with information on biological and ecological traits appears to be the path to improve the knowledge on the diversity of Eunicida

New and previously known species of Oenonidae (Polychaeta: Annelida) from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Zanol, Joana, Ruta, Christine (2015): New and previously known species of Oenonidae (Polychaeta: Annelida) from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Zootaxa 4019 (1): 745-772, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4019.1.2

A new species of giant Eunice (Eunicidae, Polychaeta, Annelida) from the east coast of Australia

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

Eunice sensu latu (Annelida: Eunicidae) from Australia: description of seven new species and comments on previously reported species of the genera Eunice, Leodice and Nicidion

Zanol, Joana, Hutchings, Pat A., Fauchald, Kristian (2020): Eunice sensu latu (Annelida: Eunicidae) from Australia: description of seven new species and comments on previously reported species of the genera Eunice, Leodice and Nicidion. Zootaxa 4748 (1): 1-43, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4748.1.