Novel insights on the diversity and ecology of the Family Lumbrineridae (Polychaeta) along the Iberian Peninsula coasts

Abstract

Lumbrinerids are amongst the most abundant and diverse polychaete families in worldwide continental shelves, and have received attention recently through the description of several new species and new occurrences. Herein, a total of four lumbrinerid species are firstly reported in the eastern and southern Spanish continental shelf, extending their biogeographic distribution to the western Mediterranean Sea and increasing up to 25 the number of species known in the Iberian Peninsula coasts. New insights on taxonomy, ecological and biogeographic preferences and an updated taxonomic key for Iberian coasts and surrounding areas are also provided.

New records of Lumbrineridae (Annelida: Polychaeta) in the Mediterranean biogeographic province, with an updated taxonomic key

“…In general, G. iberica inhabits coastal and continental shelf sediments (up to 180 m), preferring finer sediments (Martins et al 2012). Our report is the third record for Gallardoneris in the Mediterranean Sea after its recent description in Portuguese waters, namely in Italy (Sicily, this study; northern Adriatic Sea, Bertasi et al 2014) and Spain (Gómez et al 2015). The present study supports a wide distribution, in addition to its presence in the Lusitanian province (South European Atlantic Shelf ecoregion).…”

“…It was found in sand, silty sand or pebbles, mostly at 20 m depth, in agreement with the preference for very fine sand at 14 to 190 m depth reported in the original description (Martins et al 2012). L. lusitanica is widely distributed in the Lusitanian province (Portuguese continental shelf) and in the western Mediterranean ecoregion (NE Sicily, Italy, this study; Spanish Mediterranean coast, Gómez et al 2015).…”

“…The specimens from Italian waters did not significantly differ from the Portuguese ones (Martins et al 2012). Only two Mediterranean species of Lumbrineris have have MIII unidentate followed by a knob: L. luciliae and L. pinaster; the latter was recently found in Spanish Mediterranean waters (Gómez et al 2015). The two species are distinguished by the size of CMHH blades (short in L. lusitanica, long in L. pinaster), size of preacicular and postacicular SMHH (similar size in L. lusitanica, twice in L. pinaster) and by the anterior postchaetal lobe shape (digitiform wide basally in L. lusitanica, auricular in L. pinaster).…”

“…The Lumbrineridae has been widely studied worldwide, which gave rise to several new species and new records recently discovered (e.g. Aguirrezabalaga & Carrera-Parra 2006;Carrera-Parra 2006a,b, 2009Martins et al 2012;Arias & CarreraParra 2014;Bertasi et al 2014;D'Alessandro et al 2014;Gómez et al 2015). Now, at least 13 genera with more than 200 valid species are recognised worldwide (Carrera-Parra 2006a,b;Carrera-Parra et al 2011;Martins et al 2012).…”

“…Now, at least 13 genera with more than 200 valid species are recognised worldwide (Carrera-Parra 2006a,b;Carrera-Parra et al 2011;Martins et al 2012). To date, nine genera had been reported in Mediterranean: Abyssoninoe Orensanz, 1990;Gallardoneris Carrera-Parra, 2006;Hilbigneris Carrera-Parra, 2006;Lumbricalus Frame, 1992;Lumbrinerides Orensanz, 1973;Lumbrineriopsis Moore, 1911; Lumbrineris Blainville, 1828; Ninoe Kinberg, 1875; and Scoletoma Blainville, 1828, including 27 valid species (Bellan 2001;Costello et al 2001;Castelli et al 2008;Carrera-Parra et al 2011;Bertasi et al 2014;Gómez et al 2015). Among them, eight genera and 23 species are known to occur on Italian coasts (Castelli et al 2008;Bertasi et al 2014;D'Alessandro et al 2014).…”