Reinstatement of Phascolosoma (Phascolosoma) varians Keferstein, 1865 (Sipuncula: Phascolosomatidae) based on morphological and molecular data.

ABSTRACT: Phascolosoma (P.) varians, a sipunculan species known from the Greater Caribbean, was designated as a synonym of Phascolosoma (P.) nigrescens, which was originally described from Fiji. Their synonymy was primarily based upon an interpretation that these two species were morphologically indistinguishable. After its designation as a synonym, no further detailed analyses of morphological or molecular characteristics were performed to corroborate the assumed widespread distribution of Phascolosoma (P.) nigrescens. In this study, Phascolosoma (P.) varians is redescribed, and notable differences between this species and its proposed senior synonym are presented. These two species differ in the shape of their hook

SUBMITTER: Silva-Morales I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7597625 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature