First record of genus Gallardoneris (Polychaeta: Lumbrineridae) in Mediterranean marine waters

Abstract

The occurrence of the lumbrinerid polychaete Gallardoneris iberica along the North Adriatic coast is here reported for the first time. The specimens of G. iberica have been recently discovered and described from the Portuguese continental shelf. Specimens of G. iberica collected in the Adriatic Sea were compared with paratypes and some relevant morphological characters were revised, illustrated and discussed. The record of G. iberica here reported represents a new addition to the fauna of Italian marine waters extending hence the geographical distribution of the genus Gallardoneris to the Mediterranean Sea.

New records of Lumbrineridae (Annelida: Polychaeta) in the Mediterranean biogeographic province, with an updated taxonomic key

“…Italian specimens differs from the Portuguese ones in having 2-3 aciculae instead of only one acicula, in agreement with Bertasi et al (2014).…”

“…In general, G. iberica inhabits coastal and continental shelf sediments (up to 180 m), preferring finer sediments (Martins et al 2012). Our report is the third record for Gallardoneris in the Mediterranean Sea after its recent description in Portuguese waters, namely in Italy (Sicily, this study; northern Adriatic Sea, Bertasi et al 2014) and Spain (Gómez et al 2015). The present study supports a wide distribution, in addition to its presence in the Lusitanian province (South European Atlantic Shelf ecoregion).…”

“…To date, G. iberica is the only species of Gallardoneris present in Mediterranean and Atlantic waters (Martins et al 2012;Bertasi et al 2014;García-Gómez et al 2015). It may be easily distinguished from any other Mediterranean species of Lumbrineridae species present in Mediterranean waters through the large edentate MIV plate that as a whitish central area.…”

“…The Lumbrineridae has been widely studied worldwide, which gave rise to several new species and new records recently discovered (e.g. Aguirrezabalaga & Carrera-Parra 2006;Carrera-Parra 2006a,b, 2009Martins et al 2012;Arias & CarreraParra 2014;Bertasi et al 2014;D'Alessandro et al 2014;Gómez et al 2015). Now, at least 13 genera with more than 200 valid species are recognised worldwide (Carrera-Parra 2006a,b;Carrera-Parra et al 2011;Martins et al 2012).…”

“…Now, at least 13 genera with more than 200 valid species are recognised worldwide (Carrera-Parra 2006a,b;Carrera-Parra et al 2011;Martins et al 2012). To date, nine genera had been reported in Mediterranean: Abyssoninoe Orensanz, 1990;Gallardoneris Carrera-Parra, 2006;Hilbigneris Carrera-Parra, 2006;Lumbricalus Frame, 1992;Lumbrinerides Orensanz, 1973;Lumbrineriopsis Moore, 1911; Lumbrineris Blainville, 1828; Ninoe Kinberg, 1875; and Scoletoma Blainville, 1828, including 27 valid species (Bellan 2001;Costello et al 2001;Castelli et al 2008;Carrera-Parra et al 2011;Bertasi et al 2014;Gómez et al 2015). Among them, eight genera and 23 species are known to occur on Italian coasts (Castelli et al 2008;Bertasi et al 2014;D'Alessandro et al 2014).…”