On a new classification of the genus Siboglinum Caullery, 1914 (Annelida: Pogonophora)

Abstract

The largest pogonophoran genus Siboglinum Caullery, 1914 is for the first time reviewed and divided into nine subgenera, diagnoses provided and species listed. The following characters in various combinations are considered to have subgeneric significance: disposition of glandular areas on the forepart, presence and relative development of anterior teeth on chaetal heads, number, shape and disposition of the girdles of chaetae, shape of a segmental groove on the forepart, length and details of structure of the spermatophore, colour of the tube, presence of segments (together with rings or separately) on the tube, relative thickness of the tentacle, presence of pinnules on the tentacle. Several species of Siboglinum from the ZIN collection have been re-examined to define their position in the proposed subgeneric classification.