Timarete posteria, a new cirratulid species from Korea (Annelida, Polychaeta, Cirratulidae)

Abstract

A new cirratulid species,Timareteposteriasp. n., is described from the intertidal habitats of the eastern coast of South Korea. The new species is closely related toTimareteluxuriosa(Moore, 1904) from southern California based on morphological similarity of the branchial and tentacular finalents and the noto- and neuropodial spines. However,T.posteriasp. n.differs from the latter based on the following characteristics: 1) evenly divided peristomium into three annulations; 2) 2–4 neuropodial spines originating in the posterior chaetigers alternated by a few capillaries; and 3) complete shift in branchial finalents located about one-third between the notopodium and the dorsal midline. The new species has a methyl green staining pattern (MGSP) distinct from otherTimaretespecies. Detailed description and illustrations of the new species are provided with molecular information based on the partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S). This study also includes a key and discussion of knownTimaretespecies from East Asia.