Taxonomy and distribution of marine Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta) in British Columbia

Abstract

Twenty-one species of marine enchytraeid oligochaetes within the genera Enchytraeus, Grania, Marionina, and Lumbricillus are confirmed as occurring on the Pacific Coast of Canada. Taxonomic reviews with redescriptions where necessary are provided for 48 species, bringing 13 into synonymy. A further three species were left as taxa inquirenda. Marionina is the least homogeneous of the genera, and further species revisions may change the present concept of the genus. Species habitat preference is largely intertidal, often with decomposing algae, but some subtidal species have been found. There appears to be a Pacific regional fauna.