The checklist of polychaetes of the Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean) based on bibliographic sources published from 1840 to 2014, as well as on novel data, with 49 new records for the area, is herein presented. The Adriatic Sea polychaete fauna comprises at present of 764 species in 360 genera and 62 families. The richest family is the Syllidae, with 112 species (c.a. 15% of the all taxa). Eight families account for as much as 50% of the diversity (Syllidae, Serpulidae, Sabellidae, Phyllodocidae, Spionidae, Polynoidae, Terebellidae and Nereididae). Among the three Adriatic sectors (Northern, Central and Southern Adriatic), the Northern Adriatic is the richest one, whereas the composition of the most diverse families is very similar in all sectors. Data on endemisms (6), aliens (29) and valid species with the type locality in the Adriatic Sea (90) are also discussed. The list of all relevant papers citing each species in the Adriatic is included, allowing future detailed information retrievals for distinct purposes. Results suggest that the number of species will keep increasing in the future, as new surveys will be undertaken, so regular updates of the present list will be necessary.
Many species of Cirratulidae have been recorded from the Mediterranean Sea since the descriptions and figures of the Naples fauna in one of the first comprehensive studies of polychaetes by delle Chiaje, 1823-30. This original publication included only multi-tentaculate cirratulids and what we would now identify as Cirriformia and Cirratulus. Since delle Chiaje's publication, 25 bi-tentaculate taxa have been recorded from the Mediterranean. During recent sampling programmes Chaetozone carpenteri McIntosh, 1911, a bi-tentaculate cirratulid, has been recorded from several Mediterranean sites and is redescribed. All records of C. setosa will need to be re-examined as they may have been misidentified.
Based on specimens collected during the sampling campaigns in the Northern Adriatic from 2003-2010, the diversity of genus Terebellides (Polychaeta; Trichobranchidae) was studied and three species are reported for the Northern Adriatic Sea: Terebellides gracilis Malm, 1874, Terebellides mediterranea spec. nov., and Terebellides stroemii Sars, 1835. Terebellides stroemii was the only species previously reported from the area. Terebellides gracilis is reported for the first time for the Mediterranean Sea and its geographical distribution is extended south. Terebellides mediterranea spec. nov., is characterised by the presence of long notopodia and notochaetae in the first thoracic chaetiger. These three species are compared to other Terebellides species described or reported from North Atlantic waters, and a key to Terebellides species of the North East Atlantic and Mediterranean is provided.
SUMMARY: The study of hard-bottom Syllidae (Polychaeta) of the Rovinj area provides an updated measure of syllid species diversity in the northern Adriatic Sea. Faunal research in the coldest Mediterranean sectors may also help to address possible ecological and biogeographical consequences arising from climate change. Thirty-nine species were found, of which 13 are new for the northern Adriatic, increasing the species recorded from the area from 53 to 66. Some newly recorded species are dominant and typical of warmer areas. The lack of previous taxonomic updates is responsible for the high number of new findings. However, the northern Adriatic Sea is possibly undergoing long-term changes, with modifications of diversity due to the establishment of warm-water species. Syllid fauna of Sveti Ivan Island and its bioclimatic affinity are, in fact, unexpectedly more similar to the ones of some southern Mediterranean areas than to those traditionally reported for the northern Adriatic.Keywords: syllids, polychaetes, Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean, biogeography, ecology, meridionalization, taxonomic updating. RESUMEN: Análisis faunístico y biogeográfico de los Syllidae (Polychaeta) de Rovinj (Croacia, norte del mar Adriático). -El estudio de los Syllidae (Polychaeta) de los fondos duros del Adriático septentrional, nos ha permitido proporcionar datos actualizados sobre la diversidad de la familia en las costas de Rovinj. Al ser uno de los sectores más fríos del Mediterráneo, el estudio de su fauna representa una contribución al análisis de consecuencias ecológicas y biogeográficas derivadas del calentamiento global. Se han encontrado 39 especies, 13 de ellas nuevas citas para el Adriático septentrional, lo cual incrementa el número de especies conocidas en esta zona a 66. Curiosamente, algunas de estas especies, típicas de áreas más cálidas, son dominantes en la zona de estudio. La falta de una aproximación taxonómica actualizada es, sin duda, uno de los factores más relevantes a la hora de explicar este elevado número de nuevos descubrimientos. Sin embargo, no puede excluirse la posibilidad de que el Adriático septentrional esté sufriendo cambios a largo plazo que afecten a su biodiversidad (incluyendo el asentamiento de especies con afinidad por aguas más cálidas). De hecho, tanto la composición específica de la fauna de sílidos de la Isla Sveti Ivan como su afinidad bioclimática, son inesperadamente más parecidas a las del Mediterráneo meridional que a las del Adriático septentrional.
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