Description of the new species Sigambra nkossa (Annelida, Pilargidae), with an analysis of the distribution patterns of polychaetes associated with artificially hydrocarbon-enriched bottoms

ABSTRACT: The monitoring of the N’Kossa offshore oil and gas fields in the Republic of Congo allowed us to assess the ecological traits of two polychaete species belonging to Sigambra (Annelida, Pilargidae). Sigambra parva occur in very low densities in all bottoms, except the most impacted, where it is totally absent; it is an undescribed species that reached >4,000 ind/m2 in hydrocarbon-enriched sediments. Their distribution patterns are compared with those of other polychaetes, showing a range of affinities for hydrocarbon-enriched sediments in the N’Kossa region. Our results suggest that S. parva would be a representative of the original local fauna, while the species associated with artificial hydrocarbon-enriched sediments, including the other Sigambra, six more polychaetes and a bivalve, coul

SUBMITTER: Martin D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9587720 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature