Marine enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta, Annelida) of the Albany area, Western Australia

Abstract

Twelve species of intertidal and shallow subtidal marine Enchytraeidae of the genera Grania Southern, 1913, Marionina Michaelsen, 1889, and Lumbricillus Oersted, 1844, are described from the Albany area, Western Australia. Six species of Grania, G. ersei, G. crassiducta, G. bykane, G. ascophora, G. hyperoadenia, and G. hastula, are new. Grania principissae Michaelsen, 1907, also known only from the Albany area, is redescribed with substantial additions and minor amendments to the original description. The species of Grania described here, excepting G. principissae and G. hyperoadenia, have terminal 'stylets' on the vasa deferentia, with those of G. ersei being the longest known. The distinguishing characteristics of the seven species of Grania are presented in a tabular key. Marionina nevisensis Righi and Kanner, 1979, M. vancouverensis Coates, 1980, and M. appendiculata Nielsen and Christensen, 1959, are reported for the first time from Australia. The former two are widespread in the Pacific Ocean, and the latter throughout the Pacific and Atlantic. Along with M. transunita sp. nov., these belong to the monophyly of marine species of Marionina distinguished by a pharyngeal bifurcation of the dorsal blood vessel. In the collections studied, each species of Marionina can be distinguished by its setal distribution. Lumbricillus lineatus (Müller, 1774) was found in a few samples. It is widespread, possibly cosmopolitan, and frequently reported outside of Europe from disturbed or organically polluted marine habitats.