The genera Bispira Krøyer, 1856 and Stylomma Knight-Jones, 1997 (Polychaeta, Sabellidae): systematic revision, relationships with close related taxa and new species from Australia

Abstract

A cladistic analysis undertaken to test monophyly of Bispira and Stylomma (including new species of both genera) and to ascertain relationships with related taxa reveals that Bispira is paraphyletic without the inclusion of Pseudobranchiomma and Branchiomma, and that Stylomma is monophyletic due to the presence of a structure on the dorsal basal flanges which has never been described before. New species of Bispira and Stylomma from Australia are described. Bispira serrata n. sp., differs from the other species of the genus in having serrated radiolar flanges whereas all other Bispira species have smooth flanges or lack them, and also by the shape of the thoracic and abdominal uncini, which are shorthandled and have 2-3 rows of big teeth above the main fang, instead of having medium-sized handles and small, numerous rows of teeth over the main fang. Stylomma juani n. sp., is characterized by the presence of serrated radiolar flanges and unpaired compound eyes along the branchial radioles, whereas other species in the genus have smooth radiolar flanges and subterminal compound radiolar eyes.

A taxonomic guide to the fanworms (Sabellidae, Annelida) of Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, including new species and new records

“…It also differs from other congeners by the presence of thoracic uncini with short handles and with teeth above the main fang decreasing in size distally (instead of being similarly sized), and the chaetal arrangement in abdominal chaetigers, with the inferior row consisting of a few chaetae in a straight line instead of a C-shaped fascicle. Inferior collar chaetae described as broadly-hooded (Capa 2008) but verified to be as in description above. First record for Lizard Island.…”

“…There is some variability in the width of red bands in crown and pigmentation of the spongy cushions, but all specimens from Lizard Island examined had same colour-morph. No pink specimens found in Lizard Island area (as in Capa 2008). Preserved specimens lose the white pigmentation and the red pigment turns brown.…”

“…This is the only Bispira species reported in Australia possessing paired compound radiolar eyes and with typical white and purple (brown in preserved specimens) pigmentation. The most similar species is B. serrata Capa, 2008, distinguishable by the presence of distally serrated radiolar flanges and absence of pigmentation on radiolar crown. Bispira manicata shares several diagnostic features with other congeners distributed worldwide, such as B. viola (Grube, 1863), B. mariae Lo Bianco, 1893 and B. guinensis (Augener, 1922).…”

“…Muddy and sandy sediments near coral reefs, crevices in rocks, coral rubble or dead coral (Capa 2008).…”

“…AM W.36960, Queensland, Lizard Island, channel bommies, 14°41′18′′S, 145°27′50′′E, coral rubble, 12 m, 25 Aug 2010. Other specimens cited in Capa (2008). Description of material examined.…”