A new specieas of Namalycastis (Polychaeta: Nereididae: Namanereidinae) from the shores of South-east Asia

Abstract

A new species of Namalycastis, N. rhodochorde sp. nov. (Polychaeta: Nereididae: Namanereidinae), is described from the shores of South-east Asia. At over one metre in length and bright pink in life, it is one of the largest and most spectacular species of Nereididae discovered. Apart from its extremely large size and unusual colour, the new species may be distinguished from other Namalycastis by having very short tentacular cirri, lacking spinigerous chaetae in both the reduced notopodia and the neuropodia (subacicular position) of the parapodia, and in having many falcigerous chaetae in anterior parapodia that are either completely smooth or basally serrated (i.e. lacking teeth). The new species is currently wild harvested in its native range and exported alive to various countries for the bait trade, and therefore may become invasive.