Two new species of Paraprionospio (Polychaeta: Spionidae) from the Grand Caribbean region and comments of the genus status

Abstract

Material earlier recorded from the Grand Caribbean region as Paraprionospio pinnata (Ehlers, 1901) was reexamined and referred to two new species: Paraprionospio tamaii sp. nov. and P. yokoyamai sp. nov. Paraprionospio tamaii sp. nov. has dorsal crests on segments 20–29, notopodial lamellae oval on chaetigers 1–2, reniform on chaetiger four, neuropodial lamellae abovate on chaetiger three, and branchiae with two kinds of lamellae: (1) bifoliate, rounded lamellae positioned basally, and (2) flabellate lamellae positioned from the middle to distal region of branchiae. Paraprionospio yokoyamai sp. nov. has no dorsal crests, notopodial lamellae triangular and elongate on chaetiger 1–2, subtriangular on chaetiger four, neuropodial lamellae cordate on chaetiger three, and branchiae with three kinds of lamellae: (1) small subtriangular (unipinnate) in the basal region, (2) bifoliate in the middle region and (3) flabellate from the middle to distal region. None specimen revised from the Grand Caribbean region was identified as Paraprionospio pinnata. The geographic distribution of this ‘cosmopolitan’ species should be carefully verified. An identification key to currently recognized species of Paraprionospio is provided.