Abstract

Researchers are continuing to identify polychaetes using inappropriate references and failing to appreciate that many if not most species have restricted distributions. Using Marphysa sanguinea (Montagu, 1813) as a case example, we discuss the loss of valuable data by misidentifying a species. We suggest ways in which this problem can be addressed by both taxonomists, ecologists and other researchers. Furthermore, this situation is not unique to polychaetes but applies to many other groups of marine invertebrates.