First Report on Three Lesser-Known <i>Magelona</i> Species from Korean Waters: Details of All Thoracic Chaetigers and Methyl Green Staining Patterns

oleh: Dae-Hun Kim, In-Yeong Kwon, Ho-Young Soh, Man-Ki Jeong

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2024-02-01

Deskripsi

This study assessed the taxonomic statuses of three lesser-known <i>Magelona</i> F. Müller, 1858 species collected from intertidal to sublittoral habitats in Korean coastal waters, basing identification on morphological features and comparing them with their closest congeners. We present a comprehensive description and illustration of taxonomically significant and standardized characters, covering all thoracic chaetigers of three newly discovered <i>Magelona</i> species from Korea. Within the documented Korean <i>Magelona</i> species, these three species exhibit the following distinctive characteristics. <i>Magelona sachalinensis</i> Buzhinskaja, 1985, possess diminutive superior dorsal lobes in the initial four chaetigers and specialized chaetae on chaetiger 9; <i>Magelona lenticulata</i> Gallardo, 1968, is characterized by foliaceous postchaetal superior dorsal lobes in chaetigers 1–8; and <i>Magelona</i> cf. <i>longicornis</i> Johnson, 1901, is distinguished by notably elongated noto- and neuropodial postchaetal lamellae on chaetiger 9. Methyl green staining patterns showed species-specific characteristics and were confirmed to be effective in distinguishing the examined Korean species from each other and useful for making comparisons with previously reported <i>Magelona</i> species. Our study suggests that further comprehensive research on the morphological and genetic characteristics of <i>Magelona</i> species will enhance our understanding of their diversity.