Amphisamytha galapagensis, a new polychaete species of the family Ampharetidae, is described from hydrothermal vents of the Galapagos Rift. The placement of
A. galapagensis in the genus
Amphisamytha and its relationship with the other two species in the genus are discussed. The developmental biology and ecology of
A. galapagensis in hydrothermal vent ecosystems are described.