A re-evaluation of theAbarenicola assimilisgroup with a new species from the Falkland Islands and key to species

Abstract

The new speciesAbarenicola wellsin. sp. from the Falkland Islands is described along with a re-description ofAbarenicola breviorn. stat. with which it had previously been confused. The two species are distinguished using both morphological and molecular techniques, new characters are described and previously recognized characters are clarified, all of which support the assignment of species status as opposed to subspecies. Both species are part of theAbarenicola assimilis‘group’ within which all taxa were originally described as subspecies. The group as a whole is re-evaluated and all members are elevated from subspecies to species status based mainly on the new characters of shape, distribution and pigmentation of the proboscidial papillae. The group now consists of six species:Abarenicola assimilisn. stat.,A. breviorn. stat.,Abarenicola devian. stat.,Abarenicola haswellin. stat.,Abarenicola insularumn. stat. andA. wellsin. sp.