A new species in the Marphysa sanguinea complex from Hong Kong waters

Researchers in Hong Kong reported a new polychaete species from the sandy intertidal zone of Tolo Harbour. Marphysa is a genus of polychaete worms commonly used as bait for recreational fishing around the world. Previous studies in Hong Kong may have identified the new species Marphysa hongkongensa incorrectly as Marphysa sanguinea – a species native to England that was once considered to be a cosmopolitan species. This new species can be distinguished from its congeneric species including M. sanguinea morphologically and genetically. Our finding shows that there is much to learn about the biodiversity of common coastal invertebrates.

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Media contact: Noah Last: lastn@gate.sinica.edu.tw