Aspekte zur Diversität der Polychaeta (Annelida) unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Publikationen von Volker Storch nebst der Beschreibung einer neuen Art der Ampharetidae

Abstract

Background, aim, and scope Nowadays, the term "biodiversity" stands not only for the diversity of species, but also for the diversity found on supra- and subspecies level. The article highlights some aspects of polychaete diversity in this broad meaning and thereby especially considers the scientific work on polychaetes by Volker Storch. On the occasion of his 65th birthday, a new species is named for Volker Storch. Results In more than forty years of systematical, faunistical, histological, morphological, and ultrastructural research, Volker Storch has been contributing tremendously to our knowledge of Polychaeta, not to name all the other animal groups. Several species have been newly described by him and his collaborators. His studies focused on the morphology and ultrastructure of the musculature, integument, alimentary tract, sensory cells, and gills. Of basic importance, the results of this research are considered in renowned handbook series and text books. Besides the account on biodiversity on the basis of Volker Storch's publications, a new species is described, Samytha storchi Reuscher & Wehe nov. spec. The new species was found in the northern Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, Jordan. Discussion and conclusions'The synopsis of Volker Storch's publications and further literature cited in the text exemplifies our increasing knowledge on the diversity of polychaetes over the last decades. However, it becomes also evident that the biodiversity of these animals in all its facets is, by far, not yet assessed. Considering about 13.000 known species, our knowledge of morphology is only of exemplary nature. Especially as regards species diversity and phylogeny, the ongoing description of new species and changing phylogenies disclose our gaps of knowledge. Recommendations and perspectives For abetter understanding of the biodiversity of Polychaeta, their morphology, biology and phylogeny, further research efforts are needed. This appears to be even more important given the ongoing biodiversity crises. © Springer-Verlag 2009.