On some Nereididae (Polychaeta) with new records for the Egyptian waters

Abstract

In the present study 18 Nereididae species have been recorded, belonging to 8 genera, in fouling samples taken during 2015 from Suez Canal, and during 2010 from Hurghada (Red Sea), and in sediment samples collected from the Suez Gulf in 2018, from Port Said, Rashid, from Damietta and Marina in 2013, and from El Dabaa in 2017. Nine of the collected species were previously recorded as alien, by contrast, 6 are considered newly recorded species for Egyptian waters: Pseudonereis variegata and Nereis jacksoni are viewed as new to the Suez Canal and the Suez Gulf. Ceratonereis (Composetia) hircinicola and Leonnates decipiens are recorded from the Suez Gulf and the Egyptian Mediterranean coast, so they are considered exotic organisms introduced to the Mediterranean by ship or ballast water. Also, Ceratonereis mirabilis and Leonnates indicus are considered a new records for Egyptian Mediterranean waters. Notes of description included, likewise photographs of each species. This study is another endeavor to add new records of Nereididae species in the Egyptian waters, recorded for the first time, which enriches our knowledge of this family and is considered an addition to the list of polychaetes in Egypt.