Classification

English

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Blake (2017:94) discusses the validity of Protoariciella. He stated "Given the small size of the various species of Protoariciella (all less than 10 mm) described thus far and the fact that two achaetous peristomial segments are characteristic of larval and postlarval stages of different species of Naineris and Leodamas tribulosus, it seems likely that the five species of Protoariciella are all juveniles of other orbiniids" [Editor's emphasis]. [and] "the genus would be a synonym of either Leodamas or Naineris depending on the placement of the type-species P. uncinata". Blake tentatively included Protoariciella genus in Orbiniinae genera, but later he stated "... [former Microrbiniinae] genera Protoariciella and Orbiniella [...] appear to contain species that display juvenile characters suggesting they may be juveniles of other orbiniids. The discovery of gametes in some of these species indicates that they are sexually mature and likely valid"

Blake, James A. (2017). Polychaeta Orbiniidae from Antarctica, the Southern Ocean, the Abyssal Pacific Ocean, and off South America. <em>Zootaxa.</em> 4218(1): 1-145 [monograph]. available online at http://www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4218.1.1/25653 Available for editors   [request]