Nephtyidae

Ravara, Ascensão, Cunha, Marina R. & Pleijel, Fredrik, 2010, Nephtyidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) from southern Europe 2682, Zootaxa 2682 (1), pp. 1-68 : 5-7

Key to the southern European species of Nephtyidae

The main distinctive characters used in this key include parapodial features (acicular lobes and pre- and postchaetal lamellae shape and size), branchiae shape and location, and pharynx structure. Pharynx dissection is not always necessary unless to confirm some identifications. Parapodial features are based on parapodia from median segments.

1 Prostomium without antennae; nuchal organs digitiform ( Fig. 6A ); pharynx without papillae; jaws spindle-shaped; branchiae start at chaetiger 4 ................................................................ Inermonephtys foretmontardoi sp. nov. ( Fig. 6 )

- Prostomium with antennae; nuchal organs rounded; pharynx papillae present; jaws conical, hook-like .................... 2

2 Branchiae absent or present on a few chaetigers only, poorly developed, nearly straight; pre- and postchaetal lamellae rudimentary; body small ............................................................................................................. Micronephthys …3

- Branchiae well developed, involute or recurved; at least postchaetal lamellae well developed .................................. 5

3 Branchiae on chaetigers 6–9 to 10–14 ............................................................................................................ M. minuta

- Branchiae absent ........................................................................................................................................................... 4

4 Modified chaetae present on notopodia of first chaetiger ( Fig. 9E ); two pairs of coalescent eyes present at the level of chaetiger 3 ( Fig. 9C ) .................................................................................................................. M. stammeri ( Fig. 9 )

- Modified chaetae absent; one pair of small subdermal eyes may be visible at the level of chaetiger 2–3..................... .............................................................................................................................................. M. sphaerocirrata ( Fig. 8 )

5 Acicular lobes acutely pointed ( Figs. 1 , 3–5 ); neuropodial superior lobes may be present ( Fig. 4F ); pharynx with rows of more than 10 subterminal papillae, proximal papillae sometimes arranged in small groups, middorsal papilla absent, proximal region always smooth; branchiae involute or recurved .......................................... Aglaophamus …6

- Acicular lobes conical ( Fig. 21E, G ), rounded or bilobed ( Figs. 12B–D ); neuropodial superior lobes absent; pharynx with rows of less then 10 subterminal papillae (usually up to 5–7), long middorsal papillae present in some species, proximal region smooth or covered with warts; branchiae recurved ........................................................... Nephtys …9

6 Prechaetal lamellae more or less distinctly bilobed; postchaetal lamellae longer than acicular lobes; neuropodial superior lobes distinctly present; branchiae involute, from chaetiger 2 ............................................... A. agilis ( Fig. 1 )

- Prechaetal lamellae simple; postchaetal lamellae shorter or not much longer than acicular lobes; neuropodial superior lobes, if present, very small and difficult to observe; branchiae start at or posteriorly to chaetiger 5................... 7

7 Notopodial postchaetal lamellae poorly developed, rounded; branchiae involute, starting at chaetiger 11–13; pharynx with 20–22 rows of 6–11 subterminal papillae, extending to base of pharynx .................... A. elamellatus ( Fig. 3 )

- Notopodial postchaetal lamellae well developed, bilobed at least in middle parapodia .............................................. 8

8 Branchiae involute, starting at chaetiger 11–13; pharynx with 22 rows of 2–17 short subterminal papillae extending over 1/2 length of pharynx ........................................................................................................... A. malmgreni ( Fig. 4 )

- Branchiae recurved, starting at chaetiger 5–7; pharynx with 14 well defined rows of 10–15 subterminal papillae, extending to base of pharynx ............................................................................................................ A. pulcher ( Fig. 5 )

9 Notopodial acicular lobes rounded with rudimentary prechaetal lamellae; neuropodial acicular lobes conical with well developed prechaetal lamellae; branchiae from chaetiger 4 to near end of body; dorsal cirri in posterior chaetigers as long as branchiae ( Fig. 15G ); pharynx with 22 rows of 4–9 subterminal papillae extending to base of pharynx ( Fig. 15A ) ......................................................................................................................................... N. cirrosa ( Fig. 15 )

- Noto- and neuropodial acicular lobes and prechaetal lamellae of similar shape and size; dorsal cirri always smaller than branchiae; pharynx subterminal papillae extending over 1/3 or 1/2 length of pharynx...................................... 10

10 Acicular lobes conical; prechaetal lamellae well developed, rounded or bilobed ( Fig. 10D–E ); postacicular chaetae finely spinulated; branchiae start at chaetigers 4–7 .................................................................................................... 11

- Acicular lobes rounded to bilobed; prechaetal lamellae rudimentary or poorly developed ( Fig. 12B–D ); postacicular chaetae coarsely spinulated; branchiae start at chaetigers 3–14 ................................................................................. 15

11 Acicular lobes with a papilliform outgrowth ( Fig. 10C , 17E–F ); postchaetal lamellae of neuropodia extending well beyond acicular lobes ( Fig. 10D–E , 17G–H ); pharynx middorsal papilla long or short ............................................ 12

- Acicular lobes without papilliform outgrowth; postchaetal lamellae well or poorly developed; pharynx middorsal papilla at least twice as long as subterminal papillae ( Fig.18A )................................................................................. 13

12 Acicular lobes with low papilliform outgrouth ( Fig. 10C ); branchiae start at chaetiger 4; neuropodial postchaetal lamellae broadly rounded with internal vascular structure ( Fig. 10D ); interramal region of posterior chaetigers with prominent raised ciliary pads ( Fig. 10E ) ....................................................................................... N. assimilis ( Fig. 10 )

- Acicular lobes with prominent papilliform outgrouth ( Fig. 17E–F ); branchiae start at chaetiger 4 or 5 (rarely 6); neuropodial postchaetal lamellae slender without vascular structure; interramal region of posterior chaetigers with ciliated patches ................................................................................................................................ N. hombergii ( Fig. 17 )

13 Postchaetal lamellae more than twice as long as acicular lobes; acicular lobes with rugose area near aciculae ( Fig. 21D, F, H ); branchiae start at chaetiger 4 to near posterior end; conspicuous papilla-like projection present at the base of the branchiae.............................................................................................................. N. kersivalensis ( Fig. 21 )

- Postchaetal lamellae shorter or no longer than twice the length of acicular lobes; acicular lobes without rugose area; branchiae start at chaetiger 5–10, absent from posterior chaetigers; basal projection of the branchiae reduced or absent .......................................................................................................................................................................... 14

14 Postchaetal lamellae up to twice the length of acicular lobes; branchiae start at chaetigers 5–7, usually at chaetiger 6 ....................................................................................................................................................... N. hystricis ( Fig. 18 )

- Postchaetal lamellae shorter than or as long as acicular lobes; branchiae start at chaetigers 9–10… N. incisa ( Fig. 20 )

15 Postchaetal lamellae more than twice as long as acicular lobes; branchiae start at chaetigers 3–5 (usually chaetiger 3 or 4), to near posterior end .......................................................................................................................................... 16

- Postchaetal lamellae equal in size or slightly shorter than acicular lobes; branchiae start at chaetigers 7–14, reduced in posterior chaetigers ................................................................................................................................................. 17

16 Postchaetal lamellae well developed in notopodia and neuropodia; branchiae start at chaetiger 4 (rarely 5); pharynx proximal region with numerous warts ............................................................................................... N. caeca ( Fig. 12 )

- Notopodial postchaetal lamellae of median and posteror chaetigers much shorter than in neuropodia; branchiae start at chaetiger 3; pharynx proximal region smooth ..................................................................... N. longosetosa ( Fig. 22 )

17 Branchiae cirriform, starting at chaetigers 7–11; acicular lobes of anterior and middle chaetigers distinctly bilobed; pharynx proximal region with numerous warts ( Fig. 14A ) ............................................................................. N. ciliata

- Branchiae foliaceous ( Fig. 23C ), start at chaetigers 9–14; acicular lobes rounded in anterior and median parapodia, conical in posterior parapodia; pharynx proximal region smooth .............................................................. N. paradoxa

Figures

FIGURE 1. Aglaophamus agilis. A. Pharynx and prostomium, dorsal view. B. Right parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. C. Same, posterior view. D. Right parapodium of chaetiger 29, anterior view. E. Same, posterior view. F. Right parapodium of chaetiger 45, anterior view. G. Same, posterior view. H. Pre-acicular chaeta from chaetiger 29. I. Postacicular chaeta from chaetiger 29. J. Acicula from chaetiger 10.

FIGURE 3. Aglaophamus elamellatus. A. Dissected pharynx, dorsal view. B. Detail of pharynx subterminal papillae. C. Jaw. D. Prostomium and anterior chaetigers, dorsal view. E. Left neuropodium of chaetiger 1. F. Right parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. G. Same, posterior view. H. Right parapodium of chaetiger 20, anterior view. I. Same, posterior view. J. Postacicular chaeta from chaetiger 15. K. Preacicular chaeta from chaetiger 15.

FIGURE 4. Aglaophamus malmgreni. A. Pharynx and prostomium, dorsal view. B. Detail of pharynx subterminal papilla. C. Jaw. D. Right parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. E. Right parapodium of chaetiger 20, anterior view. F. Same, posterior view. G. Right parapodium of chaetiger 40, anterior view. H. Preacicular chaeta from chaetiger 20. I. Postacicular chaeta from chaetiger 20. J. Acicula from chaetiger 20.

FIGURE 5. Aglaophamus pulcher. A. Dissected pharynx, dorsal view. B. Prostomium, dorsal view. C. Right parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. D. Same, posterior view. E. Right parapodium of chaetiger 20, anterior view. F. Same, posterior view. G. Right parapodium of chaetiger 40, anterior view. H. Same, posterior view. I. Right parapodium of chaetiger 80, anterior view. J. Same, posterior view. K. Right parapodium of chaetiger 30 of a smaller specimen, anterior view. L. Same, posterior view. M. Postacicular chaetae from chaetiger 20. N. Preacicular chaeta from chaetiger 20. O. Acicula from chaetiger 20.

FIGURE 6. Inermonephtys foretmontardoi n. sp. A. Prostomium and anterior chaetigers, dorsal view. B. Right parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. C. Same, posterior view. D. Right parapodium of chaetiger 30, anterior view. E. Same, posterior view. F. Preacicular chaeta from a posterior chaetiger. G. Postacicular chaetae from a posterior chaetiger. H. Lyriform chaeta from a posterior chaetiger.

FIGURE 8. Micronephthys sphaerocirrata. A. Pharynx, dorsal view. B. Prostomium and anterior chaetigers, dorsal view. C. Dorsal (left) and ventral (right) cirrus from anterior parapodia. D. Dorsal (left) and ventral (right) cirrus from median parapodia. E. Dorsal (left) and ventral (right) cirrus from posterior parapodia. F. Postacicular chaeta. G. Lyriform chaeta. H. Acicula from posterior chaetiger.

FIGURE 9. Micronephthys stammeri. A. Pharynx, dorsal view. B. Jaw. C. Prostomium and anterior chaetigers, dorsal view. D. Dorsal (left) and ventral (right) cirrus from median parapodia. E. Barred chaeta from notopodia of chaetiger 1. F. Postacicular chaeta of median chaetiger. G. Lyriform chaeta. H. Acicula from median chaetiger.

FIGURE 10. Nephtys assimilis. A. Pharynx, prostomium and first chaetiger, dorsal view. B. Jaw. C. Left parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. D. Left parapodium of chaetiger 40, anterior view. E. Left parapodium of chaetiger 80, anterior view. F. Preacicular chaeta from chaetiger 40. G. Postacicular chaeta from chaetiger 40. H. Acicula from chaetiger 40.

FIGURE 12. Nephtys caeca. A. Pharynx, prostomium and first chaetiger, dorsal view. B. Right parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. C. Right parapodium of chaetiger 20, anterior view. D. Median parapodium of a larger specimen, anterior view. E. Pre-acicular chaeta from chaetiger 20. F. Post-acicular chaeta from chaetiger 20. G. Acicula from chaetiger 20.

FIGURE 14. Nephtys ciliata. A. Pharynx, prostomium and anteriormost chaetigers, dorsal view. B. Jaw. C. Right parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. D. Same, posterior view. E. Right parapodium of chaetiger 40, anterior view. F. Same, posterior view. G. Right parapodium of chaetiger 70, anterior view. H. Same, posterior view. I. Preacicular chaeta from chaetiger 20. J. Postacicular chaeta from chaetiger 20. K. Acicula from chaetiger 20.

FIGURE 15. Nephtys cirrosa (form A). A. Pharynx, prostomium and anteriormost chaetigers, dorsal view. B. Jaw. C. Right parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. D. Right parapodium of chaetiger 21, anterior view. E. Right parapodium of chaetiger 40, anterior view. F. Right parapodium of chaetiger 80, anterior view. G. Right parapodium of chaetiger 88, anterior view. H. Preacicular chaeta from chaetiger 40. I. Postacicular chaeta from chaetiger 40. J. Acicula from chaetiger 88. Nephtys cirrosa (form B). K. Right parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. L. Right parapodium of chaetiger 40, anterior view. M. Right parapodium of chaetiger 90, anterior view.

FIGURE 17. Nephtys hombergii. A. Pharynx, dorsal view. B. Jaw. C. Prostomium and anteriormost chaetigers, dorsal view. D. Right parapodium of chaetiger 1, posterior view. E. Left parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. F. Left parapodium of chaetiger 20, anterior view. G. Left parapodium of chaetiger 40, anterior view. H. Left parapodium of chaetiger 80, anterior view. I. Preacicular chaeta from chaetiger 40. J. Postacicular chaeta from chaetiger 40.

FIGURE 18. Nephtys hystricis. A. Pharynx, prostomium and anteriormost chaetigers, dorsal view. B. Right parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. C. Right parapodium of chaetiger 20, anterior view. D. Same, posterior view. E. Right parapodium of a posterior chaetiger, anterior view. F. Same, posterior view. G. Preacicular chaeta from chaetiger 20. H. Postacicular chaeta from chaetiger 20.

FIGURE 20. Nephtys incisa. A. Pharynx, prostomium and anteriormost chaetigers, dorsal view. B. Jaw. C. Right parapodium of chaetiger 11, anterior view. D. Same, posterior view. E. Right parapodium of chaetiger 20, anterior view. F. Same, posterior view. G. Right parapodium of chaetiger 40, anterior view. H. Preacicular chaeta from chaetiger 20. I. Postacicular chaeta from chaetiger 20. J. Acicula of chaetiger 40.

FIGURE 21. Nephtys kersivalensis. A. Pharynx, prostomium and first chaetiger, dorsal view. B. Left parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. C. Left parapodium of chaetiger 20, anterior view. D. Detail of notopodial acicular lobe of chaetiger 20. E. Left parapodium of chaetiger 40, anterior view. F. Detail of neuropodial acicular lobe of chaetiger 40. G. Left parapodium of chaetiger 60, anterior view. H. Detail of neuropodial acicular lobe of chaetiger 60. I. Preacicular chaeta from chaetiger 10. J. Postacicular chaeta from chaetiger 10.

FIGURE 22. Nephtys longosetosa. A. Prostomium and first chaetigers, dorsal view. B. Right parapodium of chaetiger 39, anterior view. C. Same, posterior view.

FIGURE 23. Nephtys paradoxa. A. Pharynx, prostomium and first chaetigers, dorsal view. B. Right parapodium of chaetiger 10, anterior view. C. Right parapodium of chaetiger 29, anterior view. D. Right parapodium of chaetiger 50, anterior view. E. Same, posterior view. F. Preacicular chaeta from chaetiger 10. G. Postacicular chaeta from chaetiger 10. H. Acicula of chaetiger 50.