Deep-Sea taxon details
Nereis Linnaeus, 1758
129379 (urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:129379)
accepted
Genus
Nereis (Nereis) Linnaeus, 1758 · unaccepted (currently disused nominal subgenus)
- Species Nereis abyssa Imajima, 2009
- Species Nereis anoculepitoka Bergamo, Carrerette, Shimabukuro, Santos & Sumida, 2023
- Species Nereis anoculis Hartman, 1960
- Species Nereis caecoides Hartman, 1965
- Species Nereis caymanensis Fauchald, 1977
- Species Nereis dorsolobata Hartmann-Schröder, 1965
- Species Nereis elitoralis Eliason, 1962
- Species Nereis eugeniae (Kinberg, 1865)
- Species Nereis longisetis McIntosh, 1885
- Species Nereis mariellae Bergamo, Carrerette, Shimabukuro, Santos & Sumida, 2023
- Species Nereis piscesae Blake & Hilbig, 1990
- Species Nereis profundi Kirkegaard, 1956
- Species Nereis rava Ehlers, 1868
- Species Nereis sandersi Blake, 1985
- Species Nereis saramagoi Bergamo, Carrerette, Shimabukuro, Santos & Sumida, 2023
- Species Nereis shinkai (Shimabukuro, Santos, Alfaro-Lucas, Fujiwara & Sumida, 2017)
- Species Nereis surugaense Imajima, 1972
- Species Nereis tricirrata Lin, Huang, Liang & He, 2022
- Species Nereis zonata Malmgren, 1867
- Subgenus Nereis (Neanthes) Kinberg, 1865 accepted as Neanthes Kinberg, 1865 (superseded subsequent rank change)
- Species Nereis (Neanthes) kerguelensis McIntosh, 1885 accepted as Neanthes kerguelensis (McIntosh, 1885) (unaccepted > superseded combination, superseded subsequent subgenus combination)
- Species Nereis (Neanthes) succinea Leuckart, 1847 accepted as Alitta succinea (Leuckart, 1847) (superseded original combination with subgeneric attribution)
- Subgenus Nereis (Nereis) Linnaeus, 1758 accepted as Nereis Linnaeus, 1758 (currently disused nominal subgenus)
- Species Nereis kerguelensis McIntosh, 1885 accepted as Neanthes kerguelensis (McIntosh, 1885) (unaccepted > superseded combination, superseded original combination)
- Species Nereis longissima Johnston, 1840 accepted as Eunereis longissima (Johnston, 1840) (superseded original combination)
- Species Nereis succinea Leuckart, 1847 accepted as Alitta succinea (Leuckart, 1847) (superseded original combination)
- Species Nereis articulata Ehlers, 1887 (uncertain > taxon inquirendum, indeterminable from damaged type and original description)
marine, brackish, fresh, terrestrial
recent only
feminine
Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places.]. <em>Impensis Direct. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm].</em> 1(10) [iii], 824 p., available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726886
page(s): 654 [details] Available for editors
(of Nereis (Nereis) Linnaeus, 1758) Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places.]. <em>Impensis Direct. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm].</em> 1(10) [iii], 824 p., available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726886 [details] Available for editors
page(s): 654 [details] Available for editors

(of Nereis (Nereis) Linnaeus, 1758) Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places.]. <em>Impensis Direct. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm].</em> 1(10) [iii], 824 p., available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726886 [details] Available for editors

Note Type species Nereis pelagica Linnaeus 1758 in...
Unreviewed
Type species Type species Nereis pelagica Linnaeus 1758 in Fauchald, 1977<246>. [details]
Etymology Believed to be named after the name of the nymphs in Greek mythology. The Nereids (Greek: Νηρηΐδες Nereides, sg....
Etymology Believed to be named after the name of the nymphs in Greek mythology. The Nereids (Greek: Νηρηΐδες Nereides, sg. Νηρηΐς Nereis) are sea nymphs, female spirits of sea waters, the 50 daughters of Nereus and Doris [source: Wikipedia] [details]
Read, G.; Fauchald, K. (Ed.) (2025). World Polychaeta Database. Nereis Linnaeus, 1758. Accessed through: Glover, A.G.; Higgs, N.; Horton, T. (2025) World Register of Deep-Sea species (WoRDSS) at: https://marinespecies.org/Deepsea/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=129379 on 2025-05-29
Glover, A.G.; Higgs, N.; Horton, T. (2025). World Register of Deep-Sea species (WoRDSS). Nereis Linnaeus, 1758. Accessed at: https://marinespecies.org/deepsea/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=129379 on 2025-05-29
Date
action
by
original description
Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places.]. <em>Impensis Direct. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm].</em> 1(10) [iii], 824 p., available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726886
page(s): 654 [details] Available for editors
original description (of Nereis (Nereis) Linnaeus, 1758) Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places.]. <em>Impensis Direct. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm].</em> 1(10) [iii], 824 p., available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726886 [details] Available for editors
taxonomy source Gravina, Maria Flavia; Lezzi, Marco; Bonifazi, Andrea; Giangrande, Adriana. (2015). The genus Nereis L., 1758 (Polychaeta, Nereididae); state of the art for identification of Mediterranean species. <em>Atti della Società Toscana di Scienze Naturali, Memorie.</em> (serie B) 122, 147- 164., available online at https://doi.org/10.2424/ASTSN.M.2015.13 [details] Available for editors
basis of record Bellan, G. (2001). Polychaeta, <i>in</i>: Costello, M.J. <i>et al.</i> (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. <em>Collection Patrimoines Naturels.</em> 50: 214-231. (look up in IMIS) [details]
additional source Day, J. H. (1967). [Errantia] A monograph on the Polychaeta of Southern Africa. Part 1. Errantia. British Museum (Natural History), London. pp. vi, 1–458, xxix., available online at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/8596 [details]
additional source Glasby, Christopher J.; Read, Geoffrey B.; Lee, Kenneth E.; Blakemore, R.J.; Fraser, P.M.; Pinder, A.M.; Erséus, C.; Moser, W.E.; Burreson, E.M.; Govedich, F.R.; Davies, R.W.; Dawson, E.W. (2009). Phylum Annelida: bristleworms, earthworms, leeches. <em>[Book chapter].</em> Chapt 17, pp. 312-358. in: Gordon, D.P. (Ed.) (2009). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: 1. Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, Deuterostomia. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch. [details] Available for editors
additional source Georgieva, Magdalena N.; Wiklund, Helena; Ramos, Dino A.; Neal, Lenka; Glasby, Christopher J.; Gunton, Laetitia M. (2023). The annelid community of a natural deep-sea whale fall off eastern Australia. <em>Records of the Australian Museum.</em> 75(3): 167-213., available online at https://journals.australian.museum/georgieva-2023-rec-aust-mus-753-167213/
page(s): 189, figure 17; note: Un-named Nereis recorded (with molecular data) from Whale skull & vertebrae off Byron Bay, NSW, Australia, beam trawl, start: 28.05°S 154.08°E, 999 m, end: 28.10°S 154.08°E, 1013 m [details] Available for editors
additional source Fauchald, K. (1977). The polychaete worms, definitions and keys to the orders, families and genera. <em>Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: Los Angeles, CA (USA), Science Series.</em> 28:1-188., available online at http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/123110.pdf [details]
identification resource Ramírez-Hernández, Adriana; Hernández-Alcántara, Pablo; Solís-Weiss, Vivianne. (2015). <em>Nereis </em><em>alacranensis</em>, a new species of polychaete (Annelida, Nereididae) from Alacranes Reef, southern Gulf of Mexico, with a key to <em>Nereis </em>from the Grand Caribbean. <em>Zootaxa.</em> 4012(1): 156-166., available online at https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4012.1.8
page(s): 163; note: Key to Grand Caribbean species of Nereis [details]
page(s): 654 [details] Available for editors

original description (of Nereis (Nereis) Linnaeus, 1758) Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. [The system of nature through the three kingdoms of nature, according to classes, orders, genera, species, with characters, differences, synonyms, places.]. <em>Impensis Direct. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm].</em> 1(10) [iii], 824 p., available online at https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726886 [details] Available for editors

taxonomy source Gravina, Maria Flavia; Lezzi, Marco; Bonifazi, Andrea; Giangrande, Adriana. (2015). The genus Nereis L., 1758 (Polychaeta, Nereididae); state of the art for identification of Mediterranean species. <em>Atti della Società Toscana di Scienze Naturali, Memorie.</em> (serie B) 122, 147- 164., available online at https://doi.org/10.2424/ASTSN.M.2015.13 [details] Available for editors

basis of record Bellan, G. (2001). Polychaeta, <i>in</i>: Costello, M.J. <i>et al.</i> (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. <em>Collection Patrimoines Naturels.</em> 50: 214-231. (look up in IMIS) [details]
additional source Day, J. H. (1967). [Errantia] A monograph on the Polychaeta of Southern Africa. Part 1. Errantia. British Museum (Natural History), London. pp. vi, 1–458, xxix., available online at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/8596 [details]
additional source Glasby, Christopher J.; Read, Geoffrey B.; Lee, Kenneth E.; Blakemore, R.J.; Fraser, P.M.; Pinder, A.M.; Erséus, C.; Moser, W.E.; Burreson, E.M.; Govedich, F.R.; Davies, R.W.; Dawson, E.W. (2009). Phylum Annelida: bristleworms, earthworms, leeches. <em>[Book chapter].</em> Chapt 17, pp. 312-358. in: Gordon, D.P. (Ed.) (2009). New Zealand inventory of biodiversity: 1. Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, Deuterostomia. Canterbury University Press, Christchurch. [details] Available for editors

additional source Georgieva, Magdalena N.; Wiklund, Helena; Ramos, Dino A.; Neal, Lenka; Glasby, Christopher J.; Gunton, Laetitia M. (2023). The annelid community of a natural deep-sea whale fall off eastern Australia. <em>Records of the Australian Museum.</em> 75(3): 167-213., available online at https://journals.australian.museum/georgieva-2023-rec-aust-mus-753-167213/
page(s): 189, figure 17; note: Un-named Nereis recorded (with molecular data) from Whale skull & vertebrae off Byron Bay, NSW, Australia, beam trawl, start: 28.05°S 154.08°E, 999 m, end: 28.10°S 154.08°E, 1013 m [details] Available for editors

additional source Fauchald, K. (1977). The polychaete worms, definitions and keys to the orders, families and genera. <em>Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: Los Angeles, CA (USA), Science Series.</em> 28:1-188., available online at http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/123110.pdf [details]
identification resource Ramírez-Hernández, Adriana; Hernández-Alcántara, Pablo; Solís-Weiss, Vivianne. (2015). <em>Nereis </em><em>alacranensis</em>, a new species of polychaete (Annelida, Nereididae) from Alacranes Reef, southern Gulf of Mexico, with a key to <em>Nereis </em>from the Grand Caribbean. <em>Zootaxa.</em> 4012(1): 156-166., available online at https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4012.1.8
page(s): 163; note: Key to Grand Caribbean species of Nereis [details]




From editor or global species database
Etymology Believed to be named after the name of the nymphs in Greek mythology. The Nereids (Greek: Νηρηΐδες Nereides, sg. Νηρηΐς Nereis) are sea nymphs, female spirits of sea waters, the 50 daughters of Nereus and Doris [source: Wikipedia] [details]Grammatical gender Feminine. Linnaeus used feminine adjective 'pelagica' for the type species name. [details]
Unreviewed
Habitat Known from seamounts and knolls [details]Type species Type species Nereis pelagica Linnaeus 1758 in Fauchald, 1977<246>. [details]
To European Nucleotide Archive, ENA (Nereis)
To Genbank
To NMNH Extant Collection (USNM 23959 Specimen-1)
To The Arctic Traits Database (20 traits)
To Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (YPM IZ 098054)
To ITIS
To Genbank
To NMNH Extant Collection (USNM 23959 Specimen-1)
To The Arctic Traits Database (20 traits)
To Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (YPM IZ 098054)
To ITIS
Unreviewed
Image from typetaxon
Image from typetaxon