A new species of Phyllochaetopterus Grube,1863(Polychaeta:Chaetopteridae)from Hainan Island,South China Sea

Phyllochaetopterus species are widely distributed on the coast of China.Here,Phyllochaetopterus hainanensis n.sp.,a new species collected from Hainan Island(China),is reported.It is characterized by having a V-shaped peristomium,two eyespots covered by a pair of large curved peristomial notopodia(cirri located beneath the palps),13-14 chaetigers in the anterior body region,with three enlarged modified chaetae on the fourth notopodium,and more than five chaetigers in the middle body region.The modified chaeta has a slightly inflated head with an obliquely truncate end.The new species resembles Phyllochaetopterus socialis Claparede,1869,but differs in the shape of peristomial notopodia and peristomium.Twelve species of Phyllochaetopterus have been described from the Pacific Ocean,including the new species described here.An identification key to the known Pacific species is provided together with a brief discussion of the taxonomic value of the eyespots for the genus.

Abstract Phyllochaetopterus species are widely distributed on the coast of China. Here, Phyllochaetopterus hainanensis n. sp., a new species collected from Hainan Island （China）, is reported. It is characterized by having a V-shaped peristomium, two eyespots covered by a pair of large curved peristomial notopodia （cirri located beneath the palps）, 13-14 chaetigers in the anterior body region, with three enlarged modified chaetae on the fourth notopodium, and more than five chaetigers in the middle body region. The modified chaeta has a slightly inflated head with an obliquely truncate end. The new species resembles Phyllochaetopterus socialis Clapar6de, 1869, but differs in the shape of peristomial notopodia and peristomium. Twelve species of Phyllochaetopterus have been described from the Pacific Ocean, including the new species described here. An identification key to the known Pacific species is provided together with a brief discussion of the taxonomic value of the eyespots for the genus.