Dos Santos, André Souza; Riul, Pablo; Brasil, Ana Claudia Dos Santos; Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey. 2011. Encrusting Sabellariidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) in rhodolith beds, with description of a new species of Sabellaria from the Brazilian coast. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 91(2): 425-438

154051

Publication

World Polychaeta Database

Rhodoliths or maerl are calcareous nodules of coralline red algae growing unattached to the substrata. They sustain a high biodiversity, being one of the most important marine benthic environments dominated by macrophytes. Sabellariidae are tube-dwelling filter feeding marine polychaetes that build their tubes by secreting cement from their thoracic glands. Some species are solitary, while others build tubes together, forming large aggregates. This study analyses Sabellariidae collected in rhodolith beds along the subtidal zone of the coast of Joao Pessoa and Cabedelo, Paraiba, north-eastern Brazil. A total of 100 individuals of six species were identified. Four are reported for the first time for the north-east coast of Brazil: Phragmatopoma caudata Morch (1863), Sabellaria bella Grube (1870), Sabellaria nanella Chamberlin (1919), and Sabellaria wilsoni Lana & Gruet (1989). The first occurrence of Sabellaria pectinata Fauvel (1923) along the western Atlantic is provided as well as the description of a new species of the genus Sabellaria.

East South America

Polychaeta

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