Partial revision of northern European Prionospio Malmgren, 1867 (Annelida: Spionidae)
Abstract
This study continues our revision of Prionospio Malmgren, 1867 from the Northeast Atlantic aiming to describe the morphology of the worms that we have previously examined using molecular methods. Nine species of Prionospio are described or redescribed and illustrated, including two new species, P. fiordica sp. nov. and P. sigvaldadottirae sp. nov. A neotype is designated for P. plumosa M. Sars, and P. tripinnata Maciolek, 1985 is considered a junior synonym of this species. We found no evidence to support the presence of P. steenstrupi Malmgren, 1867 in coastal or shelf waters of mainland Europe. Prionospio sp. 6 is distinguished but not formally described due to poor material available. An identification key for Prionospio from northern Europe is presented. Several species of Prionospio in this study demonstrate a broad geographic and bathymetric range.
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