taxonID	type	description	language	source
03D087CBFF96FFF78AD15DFCFCDAFE26.taxon	description	Figures 2 − 4, Table 2	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF96FFF78AD15DFCFCDAFE26.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Lectotype and paralectotypes as examined in Idris et al. (2014), viz., lectotype, ZMB 4005 — complete, female; paralectotypes (6): ZMB 47 and ZMB F 2046, all specimens collected at Moçambique, coll. Peters 1854. Additional data on type locality and habitat from Peters (1854): ‘ Extremely common in the sand on the coast, from Mossambique [= island of Mossambique] to Mossimboa [now Mocímboa da Praia], from 11 ° to 15 ° south’ [translated from German using Google Translate]. Other material. Marphysa mossambica MNHN-IA- 2017 - 2208, 1 incomplete specimen, parapodia used for molecular analyses; MNHN-IA- 2014 - 2209, 1 incomplete specimen; SMA _ NL 109), 1 complete specimen, few parapodia used for molecular analyses; MNHN-IA- 2017 - 2209, 1 incomplete specimen, 3 (AM W. 53934). All specimens sampled from Kenya, Mida Creek, 3.3261 ° S 39.96583 ° E, intertidal mud flat, coll. C. Kariuki, J. Tembo, C. Kihia, 5 Apr. 2022. AM. 53076, 1 complete specimen, Philippines, Tigbauan, Iloilo (SEAFDEC, 10.673 ° N 122.376 ° E), coll. Oct-Nov. 2019. Marphysa moribidii, holotype (AM W. 43731), Selangor, Morib, Malaysia, 3.75728 ° N 101.43714 ° E, mangrove, coll. I. Idris, 19 July 2012; AM W. 52255, collection locality as for holotype, coll. 17 Jul. 2019 (sequenced).	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF96FFF78AD15DFCFCDAFE26.taxon	description	Description. Preserved specimens mostly posteriorly incomplete (SMA _ NL 109, complete, in two parts, and an additional posterior end having pygidium present), total length 350 mm (n = 1), length to chaetiger 10, 11 – 13 mm, width at chaetiger 10 (excluding parapodia), 5.0 – 7.5 mm, pale yellow to tan in colour, iridescent anterodorsally, no obvious pigmentation present but many subcutaneous white spots stand out against tan base colour anterodorsally (Fig. 2 A, B). Body elongate and tapered gradually at both ends anteriorly, first five chaetigerous segments rounded in cross-section, following ones becoming flattened and shorter (about 2 / 3 length of chaetigers 1 – 5) (Fig. 2 A – C). Prostomium strongly bilobed anteriorly with two dorsoventrally flattened buccal lips and an anterior notch between them (Fig. 2 A, C). Two palps and three antennae slender and tapering, each with short palpophores (Fig. 2 A, B), arranged in a slightly curved arc on posterior margin of prostomium, all slightly wrinkled, palps slightly shorter than antennae, median one extending to posterior chaetiger 1; ratio c. 1.0 / 1.1 – 1.4 / 1.2 – 1.4 (n = 3, from here on unless otherwise stated) (Fig. 2 A). Eyes absent (or at least not observed in preserved specimen). First peristomial ring ~ 2.3 x longer dorsally than 2 nd one (Fig. 2 A, B), with a shallow notch on the anterolateral margin. Maxillary apparatus not everted, dissected out. Maxillae with carriers, four paired elements and one single one, dark brown, formula as follows: MF = 1 + 1, 6 + 6, 7 + 0, 4 + 11, 1 + 1 (Fig. 2 G). MI approximately 2.8 x longer than maxillary carrier, rectangular anteriorly with a pair of oval wings situated at posterior-lateral margins. MI forceps-like, without attachment lamellae, well-developed, sub-right angle falcal arch. Closing system approximately 6 x shorter than MI. Ligament between MI and MII rectangular, same colour as MI. MII without an attachment lamella, teeth triangular, distributed along half of plate length. Ligament between MII and MIII absent. MIII single, slightly shorter than right MIV, curved forming part of distal arc with recurved, equal-sized triangular teeth. Left MIV about 2 / 3 length of right MIV with a wide, arcuate, dark brown base. MV paired, rectangular, as long as wide, with broad cutting edge and no clearly defined teeth (but following tradition to score a 1 + 1). Mandibles (Fig. 2 H) dark brown, slightly shorter than MI plus carriers, narrow whitish fringe on anterior cutting plates, without distinct growth rings. First few parapodia located below middle line of body wall, but gradually positioned dorsally to about midline in subsequent segments (Fig. 2 A). Dorsal cirri slender, tapering, anterior ones faintly annulated with base swollen (Fig. 2 A, B), extending laterally slightly further than post-chaetal lobe and ventral cirri; extending slightly short of chaetal lobes in midbody chaetigers onwards. Ventral cirri swollen cylindrical with rounded tips, initially slightly longer than parapodial lobes, gradually becoming shorter than lobes, and posteriorly cylindrical and glandular (Fig. 2 A – C). Parapodia comprising low, rounded pre- and post-chaetal lobes, which are weakly discernible, perhaps due to poor preservation (Fig. 2 E, F). Branchiae palmate commencing from chaetiger 34 – 73 (branchiate chaetigers start later in larger specimens; also, first branchiate chaetiger may initially be followed by a few abranchiate chaetigers) and continuing to posterior body (exact number of chaetigers unknown), 1 st branchiate chaetigers with 1 or 2 filaments increasing to a maximum number of 6 or 7 in midbody and numbers decreasing on posterior chaetigers. Branchial filaments robust and wrinkled, longest filament exceeds length of branchial stem (Fig. 2 F). Dark subcutaneous mass at anterior base of branchial stem / dorsal cirrus junction of well-developed branchiae, possibly a heart body (Fig. 2 F). Compound chaetae absent, limbate chaetae present throughout in both supra- and subacicular fascicles (Fig. 3 A – D); many broken. Subacicular bidentate hooks begin on parapodia on segment 43 – 50, yellow-brown translucent, one per parapodium, discontinuous (i. e., missing from several consecutive segments after they start). Acicula brown to dark brown, 4 − 5 per chaetiger anteriorly (between chaetigers 10 – 20), reducing to one per chaetiger in posterior half of body, about 2 x wider than subacicular hook. Pectinate chaetae present; 3 types observed (IWSS, IWLS, AWLT) in mid-posterior parapodia (Fig. 3 A – D). Pectinate chaetae with the following tooth counts: IWSS with c. 41 teeth (n = 3 chaetae); IWLS with c. 19 (n = 6); AWLT with 7 teeth (n = 1) (Table 2). Pygidium with two pairs of anal cirri, dorsal pair as long as pygidium is deep, much longer than papilliform ventral pair (n = 2).	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF96FFF78AD15DFCFCDAFE26.taxon	distribution	Distribution. The IWP distribution of M. mossambica is confirmed, including Mozambique, Kenya, the Philippines and Malaysia. Northern Australia occurrences mentioned in Glasby and Hutchings (2010) require confirmation (Fig. 4).	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF96FFF78AD15DFCFCDAFE26.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. Intertidal; material from Kenya was collected in mangroves along a creek.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF96FFF78AD15DFCFCDAFE26.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The s pecimens identified as M. mossambica from northern Australia (Glasby & Hutchings 2010) were found to be morphometrically similar to the type specimen, and these authors concluded “ it is highly likely that the northern Australian forms, the lectotype of M. mossambica from Mozambique, and the holotype of M. novaehollandiae represent populations of a single species ”. Nevertheless, we are reluctant to extend the distribution of this species to Australia, given the absence of molecular data and the discovery of a new species, very similar to M. mossambica, in NE Australia. In comparison with the accounts of the lectotype and paratypes of M. mossambica, the specimens from Kenya show the following differences (Kenya specimen first): body with many subcutaneous white spots standing out against tan base colour anterodorsally cf. no white spots visible (Idris et al. 2014); first five chaetigerous segments rounded in cross-section compared to the first 10 segments in M. mossambica (Idris et al. 2010); eyes not observed in the Kenya specimens, but stated to be present in M. mossambica (Molina-Acevedo & Idris 2021); median antenna extending to posterior chaetiger 1 cf. chaetiger 2 or 3 in M. mossambica (Idris et al. 2014; Molina-Acevedo & Idris 2021); peduncle in prostomial appendages present; vs supposedly absent in M. mossambica (Molina-Acevedo & Idris 2021) but scored as present by Idris et al. (2014); right-side Mx IV with 11 teeth vs. 8 – 9 in M. mossambica (Idris et al. 2014; Molina-Acevedo & Idris 2021); branchiae beginning on chaetigers 34 – 73, cf. chaetigers 23 – 48 in M. mossambica (Molina-Acevedo & Idris 2021); and WWSS and IWLS pectinates with slightly fewer teeth (19 vs 20 – 28) and (41 vs 41 – 56) respectively, although these may not be statistically significant, especially because the values for M. mossambica were sourced from three different publications involving three different sets of researchers. In sum, the differences between the Kenyan material and the types of M. mossambica mainly relate to features that fade over time (body pigment and eyes); may have been scored in error (peduncles of the prostomial appendages); could be the result of scorer variation (pectinates teeth counts), or are highly likely to represent size-related interspecific variation (number of anterior segments rounded in cross-section; beginning of branchiae). Therefore, we consider the Kenyan specimens to be indistinguishable from M. mossambica and therefore conspecific. Regarding our synonymy of Marphysa morbidii and Marphysa mossambica, we have re-examined the putative morphological differences between the two species below. According to Idris et al. (2014, Table 1), the main differences between the two species are: 1. Branchiae begin on chaetiger 33 – 39 in the types of M. moribidii (chaetiger range for all material 4 – 63 based on individuals from 7 – 477 mm in length); the range for M. mossambica is 30 – 49; 2. Branchiae maximum filaments: 11 (range 6 – 14) in M. moribidii; 6 in the lectotype of M. mossambica; 3. Pectinate chaetae were stated to be first present from chaetiger 5 (3) in M. moribidii, cf. from ~ chaetiger 100 in M. mossambica in Table 1, which was presumably taken from Fauchald (1987); however, the information for M. mossambica based on the author’s own observations of the lectotype was stated on p. 119 to be asymmetrical pectinates with 2 – 40 teeth from the early midbody (> 30 segment), which is considerably more similar to M. moribidii; 4. Pectinate chaetae 4 types (M. moribidii); pectinate chaetae 3 types (M. mossambica); however, this was updated to 4 types for M. mossambica (Molina-Acevedo & Idris (2021); see also Table 2 herein. The above differences are not considered to be sufficient for species-level differentiation. Another stated difference between the two species, the colouration of M. moribidii, “ Olive green with white spots on dorsal and ventral sides of the anterior section ”, could not be compared with the types of M. mossambica, as they have faded; however, this general colouration pattern was seen in our freshly preserved specimens from Kenya (Fig. 2 A). Therefore, based on the molecular results (above) and our morphological reinterpretation, we suggest relegating M. moribidii to a subjective junior synonym of M. mossambica. The lack of molecular data available to Idris et al. (2014) at the time made it difficult to distinguish their species, which they described as having very large intraspecific variation based on many specimens (ranging from 7 – 477 mm, 113 – 580 chaetigers) compared to M. mossambica, which was only represented by a few types.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF99FFF28AD15D6AFAC5FBC2.taxon	description	LSID urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 492840 B 0 - 5 B 82 - 45 D 1 - BC 40 - D 8 B 3 A 68 BA 754 Figures 5 – 7, Table 2	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF99FFF28AD15D6AFAC5FBC2.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype (AM W. 33021) Arcadia, Magnetic Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, 19.15 ° S 146.87 ° E, hand collected by P. A. Hutchings, 17 Aug. 2006, intertidally on mud flats.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF99FFF28AD15D6AFAC5FBC2.taxon	description	Description. Preserved, complete specimen, 100 mm length, length to chaetiger 10, 6.5 mm, width at chaetiger 10 (excluding parapodia) 5 mm, with 234 chaetigers, pale yellow in colour, no pigmentation present. Body elongate, and tapered gradually at both ends, anteriorly first nine chaetigerous segments rounded in cross-section (Fig. 5 A), following chaetigers becoming flattened (Fig. 5 A) until pygidium, posterior segments with mud-filled gut visible through body wall, no sign of any gametes. Posterior segments very compact. Prostomium strongly bilobed anteriorly with two dorsoventrally flattened buccal lips and an anterior notch between them (Fig. 5 B, C). Two palps and three antennae slender and tapering with tips damaged, each with short palpophores (Fig. 5 B, D), arranged in a slightly curved arc on posterior margin of prostomium, all slightly wrinkled, palps shorter than antennae, less than half length of the one complete antenna which extends to chaetiger 2 and longer than length of prostomium; ratio c. 1.0 / 1.8 / 1.6 (Fig. 5 B). Eyes present, minute, on outer edge of palps (Fig. 5 A). First peristomial ring 4 x longer dorsally than 2 nd, with shallow notch on anterior margin, ventrally (Fig. 5 B, C). Maxillary apparatus not everted, dissected out (Fig. 5 E). Maxillae with carriers, four paired elements and one single one, light brown except for dark brown edges on carriers and base of MIV, formula as follows: MF = 1 + 1, 5 + 6, 7 + 0, 4 + 5, 1 + 1. MI approximately 2.5 x longer than maxillary carrier; carriers rectangular anteriorly with a pair of oval wings situated at posterior-lateral margins. MI forceps-like, without attachment lamellae, well-developed, sub-right angle falcal arch. Closing system approximately 6 x shorter than MI. Ligament between MI and MII rectangular, same colour as MI. MII wide without an attachment lamella, teeth triangular pointed downward, and distributed along half length of plate. Ligament between MII and MIII absent. MIII single, slightly shorter than right MIV, curved forming part of distal arc with recurved equal-sized triangular teeth. Left MIV about 2 / 3 length of right MIV with a wide, rounded base, with dark brown edge. MV paired, rectangular, as long as wide, with broad cutting edge and no clearly defined teeth (but following tradition to score a 1 + 1). Mandibles (Fig. 5 E) darkish with darker longitudinal strip on inner margin, slightly shorter than MI plus carriers, cutting plates whitish, without distinct growth rings. First few parapodia located below middle line of body wall, but gradually positioned dorsally to about midline in subsequent segments. Notopodial cirri (Figs 5 A, B, 6 A) slender, tapering, anterior ones faintly annulated with base swollen (Fig. 6 A), extending laterally slightly further than both post-chaetal lobe and ventral cirri; extending slightly further than chaetal lobes in midbody chaetigers onwards. Ventral cirri swollen cylindrical with rounded tips, initially slightly longer than parapodial lobes, gradually becoming shorter than lobes, and posteriorly cylindrical and glandular. Parapodia comprising low rounded pre- and post-chaetal lobes, strongly contracted due to preservation in 95 % ethanol (Fig. 6 B). Branchiae palmate (Fig. 7 A) commencing from chaetiger 19 and continuing to chaetiger 223, 1 st branchiate chaetiger with 2 filaments increasing to a maximum number of 7 on chaetiger 81 and numbers decreasing on posterior chaetigers, last chaetiger with branchiae with single filament. Filaments robust and wrinkled (Fig. 7 A). Branchiae longer than notopodial cirri and the longest filament is longer than the branchial stem. Dorsal cirri longer than ventral cirri (Fig. 6 A) and slightly lobulate. Compound chaetae absent (Fig. 6 A). Subacicular bidentate hooks begin on parapodia on segment 40, yellow-brown, one per parapodium (Fig. 6 D), and present to posterior. Acicula brown to dark brown 2 – 3 per chaetiger anteriorly, reducing to one per chaetiger in posterior half of body, almost 2 x wider than subacicular hook (Fig. 6 A, C). Pectinate chaetae present, two kinds: isodont pectinate wide with long and slender teeth, about 33 teeth and isodont wide with about 19 long teeth (terminology of Molina-Acevedo & Carrera-Parra 2017). First parapodia with confirmed pectinate chaetae chaetiger 42 and present until at least chaetiger 220 although anterior chaetae mostly broken. The holotype has been stored in 95 % alcohol for 18 years, and this has caused the chaetae to become very brittle as evidenced in the SEM (Fig. 7 A – F) where most of the capillaries are broken, but the more robust posterior comb chaetae have survived. Pygidium with two pairs of anal cirri — dorsal pair ~ 4 x longer than ventral pair.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF99FFF28AD15D6AFAC5FBC2.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Fauchald (1970) divided the genus Marphysa into several groups. Group A was characterised by lacking compound chaetae; it only included one species M. mossambica (Peters, 1854) described from Mozambique. Since then, M. moribidii Idris, Hutchings & Arshad, 2014 described from Malaysia (considered here a junior synonym of M. mossambica, and not compared below), and M. fijiensis nom. nov. (see Molina-Acevedo & Idris 2021) described from Fiji have been added to this group; and they also included M. novaehollandiae (Kinberg, 1865) described from Sydney Harbour, Australia (see Table 1 in Molina-Acevedo & Idris 2021). More recently, another species M. kertehensis Che Engku Abdullah, Idris, Fahmi, Flaxman & Hutchings, 2024, also known only from Malaysia has been described. The new species M. yunbenun sp. nov. also belongs to this group (the lack of compound chaetae was also recorded by J. Zanol (pers. comm.) when she examined the specimen in 2014) and can be distinguished from M. kertehensis in having sub-acicular hooks, which are absent in the latter species. Marphysa yunbenun sp. nov. can be separated from M. mossambica by having only two types of pectinate chaetae (IWSS and IWLS; requires confirmation, as many chaetae were broken), whereas the other two species have four types (but see below). Regarding the dentition of the pectinate chaetae, the new species has 33 teeth (n = 2) on the IWSS, compared to 41 (n = 3) in the Kenyan specimen and 47 (n = 1) in the lectotype of M. mossambica as counted by Fauchald (1987) and 41 as counted by Idris et al. 2014); the IWLS pectinates have 23 teeth (n = 3) compared to 19 teeth (n = 6) in the Kenya specimen, 20 in the lectotype counted by Fauchald (1987), and 28 as counted from images in Idris et al. (2014, Fig. 6 d, e) (Table 2). Note that M. mossambica is now shown to have four types of pectinate chaetae in total (INLS, IWSS, IWLS, AWLT), with the INLS only present in anterior chaetigers, and the other three types present in middle and posterior chaetigers (Molina-Acevedo & Idris, 2021). Earlier reports of only three types (e. g., Idris et al. 2014) appear to be because the ones occurring anteriorly were overlooked. Further, Fauchald (1987) claimed that ‘ fan chaetae’ [= pectinate chaetae] did not appear until after chaetiger 100, but Idris et al. (2014) reported them after 30. Notably, studies on Marphysa species utilising SEM images based on a series of parapodia from along the body have often detected fewer and smaller pectinate chaetae in the first few chaetigers, whereas they are likely overlooked in LM studies, particularly if the parapodium is mounted posterior side up. Marphysa yunbenun sp. nov., can also be distinguished from M. mossambica by the peristomial ring 4.0 x longer dorsally than the second one in the new species cf. 2.3 x longer dorsally than second one in M. mossambica; branchiae commence from chaetiger 19 in the new species cf. chaetiger 34 – 42 in M. mossambica (chaetigers 37 – 49 according to Fauchald 1987); subacicular bidentate hooks beginning on segment 40 and are continuous in every chaetiger after they begin in the new species cf. beginning on segment 43 – 50 and discontinuous in M. mossambica; 2 or 3 aciculae per chaetiger in the new species cf. and 4 or 5 aciculae per chaetiger in M. mossambica; and the acicula being only slightly wider than the subacicular hooks in the new species (cf. ~ 2 x wider in M. mossambica). As some of these characters are size-related, further specimens of the new species need to be studied to better understand morphological variation. Marphysa novaehollandiae and M. fijiensis can be separated from M. yunbenun sp. nov. by the maxillary formulae, 1 + 1, 4 - 5 + 6, 7 + 0, 5 + 8 - 9, 1 + 1 and 1 + 1, 5 + 5 - 6, 9 + 0, 2 + 8, 1 + 1 (as per Table 1 in Molina-Acevedo & Idris 2021) in comparison to 1 + 1, 5 + 6, 7 + 0, 4 + 5, 1 + 1 in the new species. The specimen of M. mossambica (Peters, 1854) identified by Glasby & Hutchings (2010) from the Low Isles, Great Barrier Reef (Fig. 4) in the report of Monro (1931) may instead represent this new species, extending the distribution of the species about 330 km northward; unfortunately, the two specimens (AM W. 2956), lack heads and tissue sampling was not possible, preventing positive identification.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF99FFF28AD15D6AFAC5FBC2.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species is named after the First Nation people’s name for Magnetic Island, Yunbenun in the language of the Wulguru people — the traditional owners of the island. The species epithet is an unmodifiable noun in apposition.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF99FFF28AD15D6AFAC5FBC2.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. Mud flat.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF99FFF28AD15D6AFAC5FBC2.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Magnetic Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Known only from the type locality.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF9CFFE58AD15F92FEA9FD1E.taxon	description	LSID urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 141 FD 0 EC- 8 C 6 E- 4262 - B 346 - C 7677 E 63 DF 58 Figures 8 – 11, Table 3	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF9CFFE58AD15F92FEA9FD1E.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Holotype 1 (NTM W 32646), Ludmilla Creek, East Point, near ‘ Spot On Marina’, 12.4117 ° S 130.8372 ° E sandy-mud, collected at low tide in mid-channel, coll. O. Biriukova, Lucy Kania, 30 Oct 2023. Paratypes: 1 (AM W. 54819), 1 (AM W. 54820), 1 (AM W. 54821), field number CG 23 - 02, same locality as holotype, coll. C. Glasby, O. Biriukova, 20 May 2023.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF9CFFE58AD15F92FEA9FD1E.taxon	description	Description (based on holotype, except for far posterior parapodia / chaetae and pygidium based on AM W. 54820). Live worms anteriorly iridescent, crimson base colour, lighter reddish coloured posteriorly with contrasting red branchial filaments; additional pigmentation absent (Fig. 8 A). Prostomial appendages cream-coloured except for reddish ceratophores (Fig. 8 B, C). Preserved specimen almost complete, posterior end regenerating (24 newer chaetigers), 235 chaetigers, 98 mm long, 4.0 mm width at chaetiger 10, excluding parapodia; chaetigers 195 – 200 with right-side scar from tissue sampling. Body elongate, widest at anterior-midbody and tapered gradually at both ends, slightly dorsoventrally flattened after widest region (Fig. 8 A). Prostomium rounded anteriorly with two dorsoventrally flattened buccal lips and a deep anterior notch between them (Fig. 8 B); wedge-shaped in lateral view (Fig. 8 C); approximately equal in length to peristomium. Prostomial appendages comprising two palps and three equal-length antennae (median antenna absent in paratype AM W. 54819, see Variation), smooth, slender and tapering, each with short ceratophores, arranged in a shallow arc on posterior margin of prostomium. Antennae slightly longer than palps, about 1.5 x longer than prostomium. Eyes absent (not visible in live animals or preserved specimens; Fig. 8 B, C). First peristomial ring about 2.5 x longer than second one dorsally, with shallow notch on anterior margin, ventrally. Peristomial ventrolateral lips laterally slightly elevated and marked by a longitudinal incision following line of ventral prostomium (Fig. 8 C). Maxillary apparatus not everted in holotype or paratypes; dissected out from the holotype. Maxillae with carriers with four paired elements and one single one, formula as follows: MF = 1 + 1, 4 + 5, 7 + 0, 4 + 4 1 + 1 (Fig. 9 A). MI approximately 2.2 x longer than maxillary carrier; carriers rectangular anteriorly, triangular posteriorly, with a pair of oval wings situated at posterolateral margins. MI forceps-like, without attachment lamellae; well-developed, sub-right-angle falcal arch. Closing system approximately 5 x shorter than MI. Ligament between MI and MII rectangular, dark. MII wide, without attachment lamella, teeth triangular, recurved, and distributed in anterior half of plate. Ligament between MII and MIII absent (or not sclerotized). Unpaired MIII arched with 7 teeth (Fig. 9 B), slightly shorter than right MIV, curved forming part of distal arc; with recurved, equal-sized triangular teeth; short attachment lamella in centre at base, elongate, light brown (Fig. 9 B). Left MIV short (2 / 3 the size of right MIV) with wide, rounded base, teeth approx. equal in size; attachment lamella black, boomerang shaped; right MIV with teeth triangular, recurved, decreasing in size slightly posteriorly; attachment lamella black, large, sub-triangular, best developed anteriorly (Fig. 9 B). MV, paired, rectangular (as long as wide), with a broad cutting edge, and no clearly defined teeth (but following tradition to score as 1 + 1) (Fig. 9 B). MV and anterior edge of MIV calcified, white. Mandibles (Fig. 9 C) dark, with outer edges calcified, visible dorsally; slightly shorter than MI plus carriers; distinct cutting plates absent. First few parapodia located below middle line of body wall but gradually positioned dorsally to about midline in subsequent segments. Notopodial cirri slender, tapering, faintly annulated, more so anteriorly (Fig. 10 A), about 3 x length of post-chaetal lobe anteriorly reducing to two times its length in mid and posterior segments (Fig. 10 C – F); ventral cirri, smooth conical, anterior ones longer, intermediate in length between notopodial cirri and post-chaetal lobe, from chaetiger 8 only slightly longer than post-chaetal lobes (Fig. 10 B). Lateral sense organs not observed. Chaetal lobes comprising a low pre-chaetal lip and a tongue-like post-chaetal lobe. Branchiae palmate (Fig. 10 B – F), commencing from chaetiger 40 and continue to near end; number of filaments increasing from 1 or 2 anteriorly to max. 5 filaments in mid-body; filaments of equal length, similar in length to notopodial cirri anteriorly, increasing to 2 – 3 times longer where maximally developed in mid-posterior body. Branchiae appear ciliated and vascularised at base where best developed (Fig. 10 B – F). Ventral cirri thicker than notopodial cirri; with slightly inflated bases except for anterior-most ones; about 2 / 3 as long as notopodial cirri throughout. Neuroaciculae black with paler blunt tips, 3 per parapodium in anterior chaetigers, 1 or 2 per parapodium in middle and posterior chaetigers. Supra-acicular chaetae include a superior fascicle of limbate chaetae, with fine basal spinelets (only visible under SEM; Fig. 11 C) and an inferior row of pectinates; limbate chaetae present from first chaetiger, extending to near pygidium, maximum up to 30 in anterior chaetigers. Pectinate chaetae commencing from at least chaetiger 2, extending at least to chaetiger 180; up to 6 per parapodium. Pectinates with four types identified: anodont-narrow-long (ANL; Fig. 11 A) having 4 – 12 teeth; isodont-narrow-long (INL; Fig. 11 B, E, F) having 18 – 24 teeth, isodont-wide-short (IWS; Fig. 11 F) having 23 – 27 teeth (posterior parapodia only), and isodontwide-long (IWL; Fig. 6 F) having 4 – 5 teeth (posterior only). Subacicular chaetae include compound spinigers with fine spinelets on shaft (except tip, which is smooth) and base of blade, the latter concentrated on the two sides of the slightly flattened blade (only visible under SEM; Fig. 11 D) and subacicular hooks (Fig. 10 E, F, F’). Compound spinigers commencing from first chaetiger and continue to near pygidium, with long, tapered blade bearing bilateral fine serrations and serrated shaft (Fig. 11 D); 2 different blade lengths per parapodium (longer ones about 1.5 x length of shorter ones); about 40 chaetae where maximally developed in anterior-midbody parapodia. Subacicular hooks amber to black, commencing from anterior chaetiger 55 (range for all types) to near end and inferior to bundle of spinigers, one in every parapodium; slightly thinner than aciculae; subacicular hooks unidentate (Fig. 10 E, F, F’). Pygidium (paratype AM W. 54820) round, dorsally positioned, with two pairs of tapering pygidial cirri attached at ventral edge, dorsal pair about 7 – 8 x longer than ventral pair, which are less than pygidial diameter. Variation. The paratype material, all sequenced, comprises (1) extreme posterior region (AM W. 54821), (2) a medium-large specimen (5 mm wide at chaetiger 10), probably about half complete (head missing central antenna) (AM W. 54819), and (3) a large specimen, with anterior 1 / 5 or so missing and a maximum body width about 9 mm, about 13 cm long about 370 chaetigers; whole animal estimated to be 400 chaetigers (AM W. 54820). First peristomial ring about 2.5 – 3.0 x longer than second one dorsally. Branchiae from chaetiger 30, maximum number branchial filaments, 5 – 7; subacicular hooks from chaetiger 41, unidentate; maximum number of aciculae, 3 – 4. The missing median antenna of paratype AM W. 54810 is curious because it is unlikely the result of damage, as there is no sign of tissue damage — the tissue at the base of the prostomium (under the overhanging peristomium) where the median antenna would normally arise is smooth. We conclude that the missing antenna is most likely a developmental abnormality or damage that occurred during the early stages of development.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF9CFFE58AD15F92FEA9FD1E.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Marphysa tompaulingi sp. nov., is named after Tom Pauling, AO KC, former Administrator of the Northern Territory, Australia, whose interest in fine art and museum science, particularly evolutionary biology, sparked a close friendship with CJG. “ We feel Tom would be absolutely honoured to have a new species of seaworm named after him. Tom was a man whose gravitas was only dwarfed by his humility. This would surely sit as one of his proudest moments. ” [Zoe Passmore (nee Pauling) and Fred Pauling]. The type locality of the new species is close to the family home of Tom and Tessa Pauling.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF9CFFE58AD15F92FEA9FD1E.taxon	biology_ecology	Habitat. Type specimens all collected in mid-channel muddy sand at the mouth of the Ludmilla Creek, Darwin. Although co-occurring in the same estuary creek as M. mossambica, as reported by Glasby & Hutchings (2010), the two species have distinct habitats, with the latter restricted to mangrove sediments (higher proportion of mud) and rotting timber and among roots of Rhizophora stylosa Griff.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF9CFFE58AD15F92FEA9FD1E.taxon	distribution	Distribution. The species is known only from the muddy-sand channel at the mouth of Ludmilla Creek, East Point Reserve, Darwin (Northern Territory, Australia).	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
03D087CBFF9CFFE58AD15F92FEA9FD1E.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Marphya tompaulingi sp. nov., is most closely related to M. iloiloensis Glasby, Mandario, Burghardt, Kupriyanova, Gunton & Hutchings, 2019 and M. setiuensis Che Engku Abdullah, Idris, Fahmi, Flaxman & Hutchings, 2024 (Fig. 1). All these species share compound spinigers in the subacicular fascicle of all parapodia and unidentate subacicular hooks. However, M. tompaulingi sp. nov. may be distinguished from these species as follows: M. tompaulingi sp. nov. is a more robust worm than M. iloiloensis, M. setiuensis, M. honkongensa Wang, Zhang & Qiu, 2018 and M. merchangensis Che Engku Abdullah, Idris, Fahmi, Flaxman & Hutchings, 2024 (the new species is almost twice as wide for a similar number of chaetigers), lacks a pair of eyes (present in M. iloiloensis, M. merchangensis and M. setiuensis), lacks a shallow notch on anteroventral margin of the first peristomial ring (present in M. iloiloensis); has 7 teeth on MIII in the new species (only 4 – 5 teeth in M. iloiloensis and 4 – 6 teeth in M. setiuensis), branchiae start quite late in the new species (chaetiger 30 – 40) compared to chaetiger 16 – 20 in M. iloiloensis, 15 – 35 in M. hongkongensa, 16 – 27 in M. merchangensis and 15 – 25 in M. setiuensis, and finally the relative lengths of the pygidial cirri, in which the dorsal ones are 7 – 8 x longer than the ventral ones in the new species, but only 2 – 4 x longer in the other three species. A comparison of pectinate chaetae between the four species is difficult because of the current non-quantitative methods of characterising them and the likely variation of each type along the body; nevertheless, the new species has four types of pectinates, as does M. honkongensa, and M. setiuensis compared to three types in M. iloiloensis and five types in M. merchangensis. Table 3 shows a broader comparison of the key characters of M. tompaulingi sp. nov. with other species of the Marphysa B 2 sensu Fauchald (sanguinea group), having unidentate subacicular hooks (a convenient and easy way to split the large M. sanguinea group, although some species with intermediate hook morphology exist — see Table 3 caption). In the appearance of the head (presence of a deep anterior notch (or sulcus), and proportions of head appendages (palps and antennae )), the new species bears a superficial resemblance to M. furcellata Crossland, 1903, M. hongkongensa, M. iloiloensis, M. kristiani Zanol, da Silva & Hutchings, 2016, M. parishii Baird, 1869, and M. tripectinata Liu, Hutchings & Sun, 2017. However, the new species may be differentiated from M. iloiloensis, M. kristiani, and M. parishii, which have a pair of eyes (lacking in the new species); from M. furcellata and M. tripectinata by the start of the subacicular hooks on chaetiger 30 and 170, respectively (vs. 41 – 55 in the new species) and from M. hongkongensa, in the teeth count and symmetry of MIV (4 + 8, asymmetrical), but 4 + 4 (symmetrical) in the new species.	en	Glasby, Christopher J., Biriukova, Olga, Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Redescription of the enigmatic Marphysa mossambica (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) and description of two new Marphysa species from northern Australia. Zootaxa 5717 (2): 151-179, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5717.2.1
