Catalogue of type specimens deposited in the Polychaeta Collection of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Léon (Mexico).

Background: In Mexico, there are six scientific collections of polychaetous annelids. The "Colección Poliquetológica" from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León houses one of the three most important collections of annelids in the country, based on a number of lots and number of type materials deposited, as well as geographical coverage. New information: A catalogue of type materials of polychaete annelids housed at the "Colección Poliquetológica" from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (México) is presented for the first time. The Collection contains 37 holotypes, 174 paratypes and one syntype. These type materials are grouped in 15 families, 35 genera and 54 species of marine worms. Types were described mostly from the Mexican waters, with a low number of types from Ecuador, El Salvador, Argentina, USA, Philippines, New Caledonia and Japan.

Re-description of Parasphaerosyllisindica Monro, 1937 (Annelida, Syllidae), with the establishment of a new species from western Mexico.

Background: Parasphaerosyllis Monro, 1937 is a syllid genus, currently composed of four species: P.indica Monro, 1937 from the Arabian Sea, P.uschakovi (Chlebovitsch, 1959) from the Kurile Islands, P.ezoensis Imajima & Hartman, 1964 from Japan and P.malimalii Capa, San Martín & López, 2001 from the Pacific coast of Panama. The distribution of P.indica is circum-tropical to temperate waters, but the presence of species complexes has been suggested. In order to clarify the distribution of P.indica in many areas of the world, a re-description, based on examination of the type material, is required as a first step to a better understanding of its diagnostic features. New information: Parasphaerosyllisindica is re-described, based on holotype examination, a new species is established from the Gulf of California and Parasphaerosyllismalimalii is reported for the first time since its description in 2001. Parasphaerosyllisirregulata sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by the following features: 1) Palps are free at their base; 2) Two types of dorsal cirri are present: spherical to bulbous and moniliform cirri; 3) Both types of cirri are distributed irregularly. A spherical/bulbous and moniliform cirrus may appear together within the same segment (asymmetrical segment) or only a spherical/bulbous cirrus may appear in several consecutive segments (not alternating as occurs in congeners); 4) The spherical/bulbous cirri may have distal knobs with 1-3 terminal articles; and 5) Bidentate falcigers with short, sub-triangular blades with a proximal tooth slightly larger that the distal one. A taxonomic key to species of Parasphaerosyllis species is included.

A new species of ice cream cone worm in the Gulf of California (Annelida, Pectinariidae).

Background: Pectinaria Lamarck, 1818 is composed of 30 species, three of them were originally described from the west coast of the USA and Mexico: P.californiensis Hartman, 1941 (from Redondo Beach, California, USA), P.newportensis Hartman, 1941 (from Newport Bay, California, USA) and P.hartmanae Reish, 1968 (from Bahia de los Angeles, north-western Gulf of California, Mexico). New information: A new pectinariid polychaete, Pectinariasantii sp. n., is reported from the central-eastern Gulf of California, Mexico. Pectinariasantii sp. n. is clearly distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological features: segment 4 with a ventral crest with six horn-shaped anterior projections; three chaetigers with notopodia (S5, S6 and S7); 12 chaetigers with noto- and neuropodia (from S8-19); 8-10 golden opercular paleae per lobe; a pair of ear-shaped lobes at the base of the cephalic veil; an anterior row of chaetae on notopodia with a deep incision and a bifid process at the lateral end of the shaft; and 13-21 pairs of amber scaphal hooks with distal margin rounded and hooded. A full description, including variation and photographs in live and fixed specimens, is provided, as well as a key to the species of Pectinaria from the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Temperate Northern Pacific.

Pycnogonids from marine docks located along the west coast of the Gulf of California, Mexico.

Sea spiders (Class Pycnogonida Latreille, 1810) are chelicerate arthropods, with an extraordinarily reduced body armed with eight to twelve elongated legs. A literature review of taxonomic and ecological studies of pycnogonids from Mexico identified 49 nominal species (~3.6% out of 1,335 species described worldwide). This low species richness is likely caused by limited taxonomic research and intermittent sampling and research efforts initially carried out by foreign scientists (1893-1996) and later by Mexican scientists. The present study investigates the latitudinal gradient of species richness of the pycnogonids associated with nine marine docks located between Cabo San Lucas (22°53'N) and Santa Rosalía (26°58'N) along the west coast of the Gulf of California, 22°53'N Mexico and provides a detailed morphological re-description of each nominal species using light and scanning electron microscopy. Nine nominal pycnogonid species and one unidentified species in the genus Tanystylum were collected and identified from the biological samples collected between 2011-2017. The highest pycnogonid species richness was recorded at Bahía de La Paz (seven species, 24°14'N) and the lowest species richness at Cabo San Lucas (one species) without an evident latitudinal species richness gradient. Anoplodactylus californicus Hall, 1912 and Ammothella spinifera Cole, 1904 were the most abundant species (52% of the total number of individuals). Tanystylum occidentale (Cole, 1904) and Nymphon apheles Child, 1979 were new geographical records for Mexico and Ammothella symbia Child, 1979 and A. californicus were new records for Baja California Sur state. Adding these new geographical records of pycnogonids increased the species richness previously recorded at Baja California Sur from 20 to 24 nominal species and for Mexico, the species richness increased from 49 to 51 nominal species.

Sclerozoan and fouling sabellid worms (Annelida: Sabellidae) from Mexico with the establishment of two new species.

BACKGROUND: The sabellid genera Anamobaea Krøyer, 1856 and Notaulax Tauber, 1879 are two of the most attractive polychaete worms in coral reefs. Anamobaea is represented by two Caribbean species and Notaulax with 24 species from around the world, six of them previously known to tropical America. During examination of fouling biota and sclerozoans from Mexico, Anamobaea orstedii Krøyer, 1856 was found in coral reefs from the southern Gulf of Mexico and three species of Notaulax were identified to the Mexican Pacific, two of them being new species to science. NEW INFORMATION: Anamobaea orstedii Krøyer, 1856 is first reported as sclerozoan of dead coral from the southern Gulf of Mexico. An amendment to the generic diagnosis of Anamobaea is provided, based on the presence of a higher number of skeletal cells than previously recorded; height, shape and exposition of the anterior peristomial ring; the non-fusion of dorsal collar margins to faecal groove; shape of collar chaetiger and abdominal chaetae and distribution and shape of radiolar ocelli. Notaulax californica (Treadwell, 1906) is reported as fouling in buoys and docks from the Gulf of California. Two new species of Notaulax are described: the former was found in hull and dock fouling from La Paz (Gulf of California) and the second one as sclerozoan of oysters from a dock fouling in Acapulco (south Mexican Pacific). In addition, reproductive features are described for the first time for A. orstedii which is a simultaneous hermaphrodite with female and males gametes found within the same segments of abdominal region. Oocytes develop synchronously and sperm morphology (spherical nucleus and rounded acrosome, four spherical mitochondria and a long free flagellum) suggest an adaptation to broadcast spawning and external fertilisation. Species of Notaulax here examined were gonochoric, with gametes distributed in abdominal segments.

Fan worms (Annelida: Sabellidae) from Indonesia collected by the Snellius II Expedition (1984) with descriptions of three new species and tube microstructure.

The Indonesian archipelago is one of the most diverse regions in the marine World. Many contributions on polychaete worms have been published since the Dutch Siboga Expedition to the Indonesian archipelago at the end of the 19th century. In this study, we examined specimens of Sabellidae Latreille, 1825 collected during the Snellius II Expedition (1984) to Indonesia, carried out by the Dutch Research Vessel (RV) "Tyro" and the Indonesian RV "Samudera". The results include reports of Acromegalomma acrophthalmos, A. interruptum, A. sp., Bispira manicata, B. porifera, B. secusoluta, Branchiomma boholense, Notaulax pyrrohogaster, N. tenuitorques, N. sp. 3, Parasabella crassichaetae, Perkinsiana anodina, and Sabellastarte spectabilis. In addition, three new species are described: Acromegalomma sumbense sp. nov., Claviramus olivager sp. nov., and Notaulax montiporicola sp. nov., the latter in living coral (Montipora nodosa). Further, Sabella (Potamilla) polyophthalmos Grube is transferred to Pseudopotamilla. Additional histological accounts of B. porifera and tube microstructure of A. acrophthalmos, B. porifera, P. anodina, Pseudopotamilla polyophthalmos and Sabellastarte spectabilis are also included.

Catalogue of Notomastus M. Sars, 1851 (Annelida, Capitellidae) and the description of a new species from the Gulf of California.

Capitellids are burrowing, earthworm-like polychaetes. The taxonomy within the group presents significant difficulties, due in part to their relative simplicity. In this study, a catalogue of the capitellid genus Notomastus M. Sars, 1851, is presented and a new species is described from the Southern Gulf of California: Notomastus mazatlanensis sp. nov. The catalogue provides original names and synonymies for 43 species; type locality and location of type materials; records and remarks on systematics and distribution. Type material of 35 species were examined, 31 from which were photographed to illustrate the catalogue. Notomastus mazatlanensis sp. nov. is established based on the presence of finger-like branchiae emerging from the epithelium near to the notopodia. Branchiae are composed by 3-4 filaments, and the first chaetiger is uniramous. A taxonomic key for species distributed in the Gulf of California is presented. [Species name is register in ZooBank under urn: lsid: zoobank.org: pub:CC8A9E5A-7810-4272-A23C-DCB054E5B4EB].

Phylogeny of Microphthalminae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971, and revision of Hesionella Hartman, 1939, and Struwela Hartmann-Schröder, 1959 (Annelida, Errantia).

Microphthalminae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971 was proposed in Hesionidae to include Microphthalmus and Hesionides; however, the affinities of these genera to other members of Hesionidae have been debated, and some authors have concluded they do not belong in Hesionidae. Herein, based on morphological characters, a phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily and some other similar poorly-known genera, with an uncertain position in Hesionidae was performed to clarify their affinities. Our results indicate that Microphthalminae, as currently delimited, is paraphyletic. The inclusion of Struwela, Uncopodarke, and Westheideius, a new genus, as well as the recognition of Fridericiella are proposed to meet the requirement of monophyly; and as result of this, the elevation in rank to the family level is herein presented. Furthermore, the type species for Hesionella and Struwela are redescribed, and a new species in the latter is described. A key to identify microphthalmid genera is also included.

First record of Glycera guatemalensis and G. sphyrabrancha (Annelida: Glyceridae) from Western Mexico

Introduction: Glycerides, commonly called "blood worms", are relatively thin polychaetes that reach considerable sizes. They have been reported for all the seas of the world from the intertidal zone to abyssal depths. Objective: Evidence the presence of two species of Glycera for the littorals of the Mexican Pacific. Methods: An analysis of the glycerides of the Pacific coast of Mexico was carried out, finding two species that were collected, one of shrimp trawl at a depth of 18 meters off Puertecitos, Baja California, as well as by manual sampling in the intertidal zone of Concepción Bay, Baja California Sur in the Gulf of California. For their taxonomic determination, morphological characters of greater relevance for their identification were examined, such as jaws, aileron shape, parapodia, chaetae, and the type of pharyngeal papillae. Results: We diagnosed and schematized Glycera guatemalensis Böggemann & Fiege, 2001 and Glycera sphyrabrancha Schmarda, 1861. Conclusions: Glycera guatemalensis described for Guatemala and Glycera sphyrabrancha described for Jamaica, are recorded for the first time for the Gulf of California.

Introducción: Los Glicéridos son llamados comúnmente "gusanos de sangre", son poliquetos relativamente delgados que alcanzan tallas considerables. Han sido reportados para todos los mares del mundo desde la zona de entremareas hasta profundidades abisales. Objetivo: Evidenciar la presencia de dos especies de Glycera para los litorales del Pacífico mexicano. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis de los glicéridos de la costa del pacífico de México, encontrando dos especies que fueron recolectadas, una de arrastre camaronero a una profundidad de 18 metros frente a Puertecitos, Baja California, así como mediante muestreo manual en la zona de entremareas de bahía Concepción, Baja California Sur en el golfo de California. Para su determinación taxonómica se examinaron los caracteres morfológicos de mayor relevancia para su determinación, como mandíbulas, forma del aileron, parapodios, setas, branquia, y tipo de papilas faríngeas. Resultados: En este trabajo se diagnostican y esquematizan Glycera guatemalensis Böggemann & Fiege, 2001 y Glycera sphyrabrancha Schmarda, 1861. Conclusión: Glycera guatemalensis descrita para Guatemala y Glycera sphyrabrancha descrita para Jamaica, se registran por primera vez para el golfo de California.

New records of sabellids and serpulids (Polychaeta: Sabellidae, Serpulidae) from the Tropical Eastern Pacific.

Sabellids and serpulids are two well represented families in the polychaete fauna of the Tropical Eastern Pacific, with 31 and 34 species respectively; however, most records come from the Gulf of California or the western coast of Baja California Peninsula. Only a few records are from localities in the large expanse of the central and southern Mexican Pacific. Thus, sabellids and serpulids were collected from several shallow water habitats along the coast of Mexican Pacific, such as coastal lagoons, coral reefs, rocky shores and from man-made structures as marinas, piers and ships of several harbors; additionally, specimens from national collections were revised. More than 8,400 specimens of sabellids and serpulids from the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas, and some specimens from Panamá and Perú were examined. In the present work we record new localities of four sabellids and 24 serpulids. One sabellid, Branchiomma bairdi, is an exotic/invasive species in Oaxaca, Sinaloa and Baja California Sur, while four species of serpulids are exotic and/or cryptogenic species: Ficopomatus uschakovi, Hydroides dirampha, H. elegans and H. sanctaecrucis. Additionally, the geographical range has been extended for five species: the sabellids Pseudobranchiomma punctata from Oahu, Hawaii to La Paz Bay, and Parasabella pallida from California to Puerto Escondido, Baja California Sur; and for three serpulids, Hydroides inermis from the Galápagos Islands to Agua Blanca, Oaxaca, H. gairacensis from Panamá to Puerto Ángel, Oaxaca, and H. panamensis from Panamá to Huatulco, Oaxaca and Faro de Bucerías, Michoacán. Hydroides cf. amri, previously recorded as H. brachyacantha from Oahu, Hawaii, is more similar to H. amri from Australia. The number of sabellids recorded for the Tropical Eastern Pacific increased to 33, the serpulid species to 35.

A new species of Websterinereis from the Gulf of California and redescription of Websterinereis foli (Fauvel, 1930) (Annelida, Nereididae).

A new species of Websterinereis Pettibone, 1971, Websterinereis pettiboneae sp. n. is described from La Paz Bay, Gulf of California, Mexico. This species is similar to Websterinereis foli (Fauvel, 1930) in the neuropodial falcigers shape, but can be separated by the tentacular cirri length, notopodial prechaetal lobe shape, and the size of the notopodial dorsal and ventral ligules on posterior parapodia. Websterinereis foli is redescribed based upon type material. Additional observations on the inter-annual density variation of Websterinereis pettiboneae sp. n. during a four-year study are also provided. A key to all species of Websterinereis is included.

Polychaete species (Annelida) described from the Philippine and China Seas.

The South China and Philippine Seas are among the most diverse regions in the Western Pacific. Although there are several local polychaete checklists available, there is none comprising the whole of this region. Presented herein is a comprehensive list of the original names of all polychaete species described from the region. The list contains 1037 species, 345 genera and 60 families; the type locality, type depository, and information regarding synonymy are presented for each species. 

A new species of Perinereis (Polychaeta, Nereididae) from Florida, USA, with a key to all Perinereis from the American continent.

Specimens belonging to a new species of Perinereis Kinberg, 1865 were collected fromnatural oyster reefs in an estuarine environmenton Florida's southwest coast. The genus Perinereis includes more than 70 species, of which, Perinereis aibuhitensis (Grube, 1878), Perinereis brevicirrata (Treadwell, 1920), Perinereis camiguinoides (Augener, 1922), Perinereis jascooki Gibbs, 1972, Perinereis kuwaitensis Mohammad, 1970, Perinereis singaporiensis (Grube, 1878), Perinereis vancaurica (Ehlers, 1868) and the new species have two short bars on Area VI and notopodial dorsal ligules that are not greatly expanded. The most geographically close species is Perinereis brevicirrata. The new species can be distinguished from Perinereis brevicirrata by the absence of a notopodial prechaetal lobe, Area V with 3 cones in a triangle, and Area VII-VIII with two well-defined rows of 33 paragnaths, the basal row having longer paragnaths in relation to the distal ones. The new species resembles Perinereis singaporiensis based on the absence of notopodial prechaetal lobe; however, the two species differ in some morphological characteristics such as tentacular cirri length, shape of dorsal notopodial ligules, and falciger blades. A key to all American species of Perinereis is included.

A new species of Nicon Kinberg, 1866 (Polychaeta, Nereididae) from Ecuador, Eastern Pacific, with a key to all known species of the genus.

A new species of Nicon Kinberg, 1866 from the east Pacific coast of Ecuador is described. The new species is characterized by a long, thin dorsal ligule on median and posterior parapodia and infracicular sesquigomph falcigers in the neuropodia. A key to all species of Nicon is provided.

Diversity and ecological remarks of ectocommensals and ectoparasites (Annelida, Crustacea, Mollusca) of echinoids (Echinoidea: Mellitidae) in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico.

The diversity of symbiotic invertebrates on intertidal and shallow water echinoids of the northwestern Gulf of California was studied. Five ectosymbionts were found: three pinnotherid crabs, Dissodactylus lockingtoni Glassell (1935), Dissodactylus nitidus Smith (1870), and Dissodactylus xanthusi Glassell (1936); one eulimid gastropod, Turveria encopendema Berry (1956); and one polychaete, Struwela sp. We discovered seasonal fluctuation in D. nitidus Smith (1870) and D. xanthusi Glassell (1936), which result in these species being undetectable during the winter season when the temperature in the head of the Gulf of California drops to 14-18 degrees C; the rest of the species are permanent residents in this area. An updated list of all external macrosymbionts of echinoids of the Mexican Pacific is presented.