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New species of Ophelina (Annelida: Opheliidae: Ophelininae) from northern Australia

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Abstract

Three species of the genus Ophelina are described from northern Australian waters. Ophelina fauveli (Caullery, 1944) is reported for the first time in Australian waters and its description has been updated; the two other species are new to science and are formally described. The main diagnostic characters for the species are based on differences in the pygidial funnel. Ophelina tessellata sp. nov. is distinguished by having a club-shaped funnel with a distinctive tessellated pattern on the ventral edge. Ophelina cyprophilia sp. nov. has a more elongated pygidial funnel and fewer rim cirri. Recognition of these two morphologically similar species was supported by sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I and histone H3 genes.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Charles Darwin University and the Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory for supporting this project. Robin Sanchez-Arlt expertly photographed the specimens and prepared the figures as part of a work experience training program between the Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory and Komilda College, Darwin.

Ethical standards and conflicts of interest

The research contained within this manuscript complied with Australian law. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Matthew J. Neave.

Appendix A. Selected key features of Ophelina species reported from Australia and the Indo-Malay-Philippine archipelago

Appendix A. Selected key features of Ophelina species reported from Australia and the Indo-Malay-Philippine archipelago

Table 2 Character key for Tables 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Table 3 Comparison of key features of Ophelina species from the Australian region
Table 4 Comparison of key features of Ophelina species from the Australian region continued
Table 5 Comparison of key features of Ophelina species from the Australian region continued
Table 6 Comparison of key features of Ophelina species from the Australian region continued
Table 7 Comparison of key features of Ophelina species from the Australian region continued

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Neave, M.J., Glasby, C.J. New species of Ophelina (Annelida: Opheliidae: Ophelininae) from northern Australia. Org Divers Evol 13, 331–347 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13127-013-0130-x

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