Redescription of Spirobranchus gaymardi (Quatrefages, 1866) (Polychaeta: Serpulidae) from the Indo-Pacific with remarks on the Spirobranchus giganteus complex

Abstract

As a contribution to unravel the confusion of the Spirobranchus corniculatus complex a detailed redescription is given of S. gaymardi, together with an overview of the S. giganteus complex. The operculum of S. gaymardi in its most typical form is clearly distinguished from that of any other Spirobranchus species by the presence of two short, broadened, and abraded dorsal tines which usually fuse or touch above the midline of the operculum. © 1999 The Linnean Society of London.