Abstract
The present annotated checklist has been elaborated after revision of preserved materials (from the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid and the reference collection of the Marine Biology Laboratory of the University of Valencia) and published literature related to capitellids from the Iberian Peninsula, Chafarinas, Balearic and Canary Islands. Twenty-four species and subspecies belonging to thirteen genera are recognized as valid taxa. With this checklist we include some taxonomic details and information on distribution at both global and regional levels. This work includes the setal formula and diagrammatic representation of capitellid taxa treated in this study.
Highlights
Capitellids superficially resemble earthworms due to the absence of appendages in the head and the presence of long cylindrical bodies with poorly developed parapodia
Some taxa have posterior thoracic setigers and anterior abdominal segments with mixed fascicles of capillaries and hooded hooks making the separation between the thorax and abdomen difficult to appreciate
Another problem in the taxonomy of Capitellids is the use of the presence of “branchiae” as a taxonomic character because they can be completely retracted in preserved material (Hutchings, 2000) or restricted to posterior abdominal segments (e.g. Pseudomastus), knowing that it is difficult to collect complete specimens of these worms due to their fragility
Summary
Capitellids superficially resemble earthworms due to the absence of appendages in the head and the presence of long cylindrical bodies with poorly developed parapodia (chaeta appear to arise directly from the body wall). Type locality/origin: Gulf of Naples (Italy, Mediterranean Sea) Dasybranchus caducus (Grube): Claparède, 1864. TYPE SPECIES: Capitella filiformis Claparède, 1864 Ancistria Quatrefages, 1865.
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