Classification and morphological variations of the Japanese species of Lumbrinerides (Annelida: Lumbrineridae)

Abstract

A new classification is proposed for the Japanese species of the genus Lumbrinerides Orensanz, 1973 (Annelida: Lumbrineridae), based on the observation of as many specimens as possible so as to determine the extent of intra-populational variation of each morphological character. Morphological differences apparent in material from ten local sites were compared statistically among 16 tentative, operational taxonomic units, the morphologically recognizable units then being subjected to a taxonomic consideration with other known species. By their morphology, five species were recognized from Japanese waters, three being new to science. Diagnoses and descriptions of each species are given.