The family Paraonidae (Polychaeta) in british waters: a new species and new records with a key to species

Abstract

Aricidea laubieri sp.nov. and six other species of the Paraonidae new to the British Isles were found during benthic surveys in the Celtic and North Seas. These increase the number of British representatives of the family to 15. New records of a further seven species are given, which in several cases extend the known geographical or bathymetric range. The identity of some previous records attributed to Aricidea Jeffreysii (McIntosh, 1879) and to Aricidea suecica Eliason, 1920, is discussed. A dichotomous key to British species is presented.