Partial revision of Scolelepis (Polychaeta: Spionidae) from the Grand Caribbean Region, with the description of two new species and a key to species recorded in the area

Abstract

Five Scolelepisspecies from the Gulf of Mexico and Western Atlantic Ocean are reported and certain species previously synonymized with Scolelepis(S.) squamataare revised. Four species are reinstated: S.(S.) goodbodyi(Jones, 1962), S.(S.) minuta(Treadwell, 1939), S.(S.) acuta(Treadwell, 1914), and S.(S.) agilis(Verrill, 1873); and two are described as new: S.(S.) lightin. sp., and S.(S.) vossaen. sp. Scolelepis(Scolelepis) goodbodyi(Jones, 1962) n. comb., S.(S.) minuta(Treadwell, 1939) n. comb., S.(S.) acuta(Treadwell, 1914), and S.(S.) agilis(Verrill, 1873) are removed from synonymy with S.(S.) squamataMüller, 1806. The record of Scolelepis(P.) texanaFoster, 1971 from the Grand Caribbean region is confirmed. A key to all Scolelepisspecies from the Grand Caribbean is provided.