A world catalogue and taxonomic keys of the subfamily Nicomachinae (Polychaeta: Maldanidae) are provided. Threegenera and 32 species are listed, complete with original references, synonyms, additional references, type localities, andtaxonomic remarks for those species which present some problem. Nicomache interstricta Ehlers, 1908 is transferred tothe genus Lumbriclymene Sars, 1872. Nicomache inornata Moore, 1903, Petaloproctus crosnieri Rullier, 1964, andPetaloproctus crenatus Chamberlin, 1919 are considered incertae sedis. Only three species of Nicomachinae have abroad geographical distribution.
Two new maldanid polychaetes were collected from the Ponta do Cabo Branco beach, Paraíba, Brazil, and represent the first record of the genus Nicomache for the southwest Atlantic. Nicomache (Nicomache) lanai sp. nov. has 22 setigerous segments, two pre-anal asetigerous segments, a dark beige colour on setigers 4–17, an anteriorly rounded prostomium forming a tall, arched keel, elliptical nuchal grooves that open posteriorly, 4–7 acicular spines on setigers 1–3, and an anal funnel with triangular equal-sized anal cirri, with concave sides. Nicomache (Nicomache) brasiliensis sp. nov. also has 22 setigerous and two pre-anal asetigerous segments, but the entire body is light-pink coloured. The prostomium is rounded anteriorly, but is longer, broadening posteriorly, forming a low, straight subterminal keel. This species has parallel nuchal grooves, with a sharp anterior angle, has only 4–6 acicular spines on setigers 1–3, and an anal funnel with short tapering, equal-sized anal cirri with convex sides.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.