Jimi, Naoto; Britayev, Temir A.; Sako, Misato; Woo, Sau Pinn; Martin, Daniel. (2024). A new genus and species of nudibranch-mimicking Syllidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) Naoto Jimi 1,2*, Temir A. Britayev 3, Misato Sako 1, Sau Pinn Woo 2 & Daniel Martin 4. Scientific Reports. 14(1)17123: 1-11.

489615

10.1038/s41598-024-66465-4 [view]

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FC92DF85-E808-438C-9292-5F4286D41D2B [view]

Jimi, Naoto; Britayev, Temir A.; Sako, Misato; Woo, Sau Pinn; Martin, Daniel

2024

14(1)17123: 1-11

Publication

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-66465-4

Annelidabase

JimiBritayevSakoWooMartin2024_NgenusSpeciesNudiMimicSyllidae.pdf 

Nudibranch mollusks, which are well-known for their vivid warning coloration and effective defenses, are mimicked by diverse invertebrates to deter predation through both Müllerian and Batesian strategies. Despite extensive documentation across different taxa, mimickers have not been detected among annelids, including polychaetes, until now. This study described a new genus and species of polychaete living on Dendronephthya octocorals in Vietnam and Japan. Belonging to Syllidae, it exhibits unique morphological adaptations such as a low number of body segments, simple chaetae concealed within the parapodia and large and fusiform antennae and cirri. Moreover, these appendages are vividly colored, featuring an internal dark red area with numerous terminal white spots and bright yellow tips, effectively contributing to mimicking the appearance of a nudibranch. This discovery not only documents the first known instance of such mimicry among annelids, but also expands our understanding of evolutionary adaptation and ecological strategies in marine invertebrates.

South-east Asia

Systematics, Taxonomy

Annelida
Polychaeta

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