Nephtys Cuvier, 1817 (sensu Hartman, 1959)

Nephtys .— Hartman, 1950: 89; 1959: 282.— Ravara et al., 2010b: 30.

Diagnosis. The genus Nephtys currently includes species with conical, rounded or bilobed acicular lobes and well developed parapodial lobes. Branchiae recurved. Lyrate chaetae present or absent. Aciculae of median and posterior parapodia with curved tips. Pair of antennae and palps present. Pharynx usually with rows of less than 10 subterminal papillae (usually up to 5–7); long, median dorsal papilla may be present; proximal region smooth or covered with small verrucae. Jaws conical, hook-like. Nuchal organ rounded.

Type species. Nephtys hombergii Savigny in Lamarck, 1818.

Comments. A recent phylogenetic study utilising both morphological and molecular techniques has confirmed the monophyly of the genus (Ravara et al. 2010a). We have modified the generic diagnosis provided by Ravara et al. (2010b), to include the presence or absence of lyrate chaetae.