Abstract

Small specimens of a seemingly undescribed nereidid polychaete species from Tampa Bay, Florida, USA lacked notopodial falcigers, paragnaths and papillae on the pharynx, and dorsal ligules. Quantitative analysis of a larger size range of material showed that all specimens could be referred to Nereis (Neanthes) micromma Harper, 1979. The use of Neanthes Kinberg, 1865 as a subgenus of Nereis Linnaeus, 1758 is no longer accepted and this species is now formally referred to Neanthes micromma Harper, 1979, which is here redescribed to better account for the observed size-related variation. Contrary to the original description, in this species, notaciculae are present in chaetigers 1 and 2, but difficult to observe. Given that earlier studies have identified the potential phylogenetic significance of presence of notaciculae, it is suggested that re-evaluation of this character in similar Nereididae may assist in revising the status of the polyphyletic genus Neanthes.