http://hdl.handle.net/11189/1891 2026-08-12T11:45:31Z 2026-08-12T11:45:31Z Smith, Lee Vernon Kara, Jyothi Simon, Carol http://hdl.handle.net/11189/10683 2026-08-12T11:05:45Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Unravelling a taxonomic puzzle: reinstating the South African Scolelepis capensis as distinct from Scolelepis squamata (Annelida: Spionidae) Authors: Smith, Lee Vernon; Kara, Jyothi; Simon, Carol Abstract: Scolelepis (Scolelepis) squamata (O. F. Müller, 1806) is a marine annelid previously considered cosmopolitan, but now recognized to be restricted to European waters. However, multiple species have recently been removed from synonymy with S. squamata, confirming that this species is not globally widespread. This study incorporated morphological and molecular data to show that Scolelepis (Scolelepis) capensis (McIntosh, 1924) from South Africa should be removed from synonymy with the nominal species. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial (COI), and nuclear (18S and 28S) markers show that S. capensis and S. squamata sensu stricto fall into separate clades. Scolelepis capensis is morphologically similar to S. squamata and S. agilis from the Atlantic coast of North America, but can be distinguished mainly by the shape and number of hooded hooks in the noto- and neuropodia, and the chaetigers where they first appear. This study contributes to ongoing taxonomic revisions of unresolved and pseudocosmopolitan polychaete species in South Africa, thus increasing our knowledge of local biodiversity. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the taxonomic status of S. capensis throughout southern Africa.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z van Niekerk, Adri Kara, Jyothi Alvarez Aguilar, Arturo Simon, Carol http://hdl.handle.net/11189/10682 2026-08-12T11:04:46Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Lumbrineris magalhaensis Kinberg, 1865 (Annelida: Lumbrineridae) revealed as two indigenous species in South Africa Authors: van Niekerk, Adri; Kara, Jyothi; Alvarez Aguilar, Arturo; Simon, Carol Abstract: Lumbrineris magalhaensis Kinberg, 1865 (Annelida: Lumbrineridae) is a marine polychaete worm that was first described from the Magellan Strait, Chile; thereafter it was also reported in sub-Antarctic, temperate and tropical regions, where it was likely misidentified. In South African waters, Lumbrineris magalhaensis may have been erroneously synonymised with Lumbriconereis pettigrewi McIntosh, 1885, which was first described from off the Cape of Good Hope. Specimens collected from the Knysna Estuary on the south coast of South Africa were recently identified as Lumbrineris magalhaensis based on identification keys for local fauna. However, the specimens all differ from descriptions of the type material and previous descriptions of Lumbrineris magalhaensis, as well as from re-examined specimens of Lumbriconereis pettigrewi (three syntypes, collected off the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa), with regard to prostomium shape, numbers of teeth on maxillae III and IV, shape of maxilla II, size and colour of maxilla II connecting plates, arrangement of limbate chaetae and the habitat. The specimens from Knysna have therefore been designated as Lumbrineris knysnaensis van Niekerk, Kara, Alvarez Aguilar & Simon sp. nov. Furthermore, the synonymisation of Lumbriconereis pettigrewi and Lumbrineris magalhaensis has been reversed, owing to differences in prostomium shape, number of teeth on maxilla IV, depth of collection and habitat type; therefore, Lumbrineris pettigrewi comb. nov. reinst. is supported. Analysis of mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) indicated that the Knysna specimens represent a single species and do not match any other known species, corroborating the morphological data. Further morphological and genetic investigations of Lumbrineris magalhaensis from other regions are needed to resolve the taxonomy of this species.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Hutchings, Pat Kara, Jyothi Lavesque, Nicolas http://hdl.handle.net/11189/10681 2026-08-12T10:15:00Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Eunicid polychaete worms used as bait with particular reference to Australia, South Africa and France; the need for development of management plans based on their biology and ecology Authors: Hutchings, Pat; Kara, Jyothi; Lavesque, Nicolas Abstract: Worldwide, bait worms are collected for recreational and subsistence fishing, and fetch high prices in bait shops. While a variety of polychaete families are collected, we focus only on the “Marphysa” group (Family Eunicidae) occurring in rivers, estuaries and protected bays. We discuss the management strategies currently in place in Australia, South Africa and France, and we suggest that they are inadequate and fail to take into account Eunicid diversity and biology. While the reproductive strategies of only a few species have been investigated, they all exhibit very different strategies, and this must be taken into account when developing management and monitoring plans to ensure sustainable harvesting. Information is also needed on the impacts of collecting in these coastal habitats and their ecosystems that are increasingly being impacted by climate change. We also comment on the collection of the “Marphysa” group elsewhere in the world.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Darbyshire, Teresa Kara, Jyothi http://hdl.handle.net/11189/10680 2026-08-12T10:13:57Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Redescription of Arabella iricolor (Montagu, 1804) with descriptions of two new species from the United Kingdom and South Africa Authors: Darbyshire, Teresa; Kara, Jyothi Abstract: Arabella iricolor (Montagu, 1804) was described with no diagnostic information for the characters used today to distinguish species within the genus. An updated description, together with genetic data, is provided using the holotype in conjunction with additional specimens collected at or near the type locality, to facilitate comparative analysis of other Arabella species and improve taxonomy within the genus. Arabella iricolor can be distinguished primarily through the long notopodial cirri that reach to or beyond the prechaetal lobes on chaetigers 1–9, in combination with unidentate maxilla I on both sides, four short digitiform pygidial cirri and gradually tapering ventralmost chaetae. The updated description and molecular information enabled the identification of a new species co-habiting with A. iricolor at the type locality and elsewhere. The new species, Arabella ampulliformis sp. nov., is characterised by two lateral pygidial lobes that extend into short cirri, appearing ampulliform in lateral view, in combination with a bifid left maxilla I, short left and long right maxilla II, short notopodial cirri and gradually tapering ventralmost chaetae. A new species from South Africa is also described, Arabella umgazanae sp. nov., distinguished through a bifid left maxilla I, short left and long right maxilla II, short notopodial cirri, two large lateral pygidial lobes and gradually tapering ventralmost chaetae along with additional characters relating to the chaetae, mandibles and maxillary apparatus. Problems surrounding the identification of Arabella species in South Africa are discussed in conjunction with details of the other species reported from the region.

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