The nereis species-group

Eighteen species in Ethiopia, one of them remaining undescribed here. The nereis species-group includes smaller sub-groups with well defined synapomorphies. Interestingly, P. n e re i s and P. shoa are identic when excluding 3rd codon position of COI. P. leveneorum sp. n. and P. aquamarina sp. n. are closely related sibling species. The nereis species-group as a total is genetically less supported than the immaculata species-group in different alignments and algorithms, e.g. the undescribed species falls within the nereis species-group only when excluding 3rd codon position. In male genitalia the members of this group are somewhat heterogenous: Socii are usually present but vestigial and developed as small setose patches, the sacculus is usually sclerotized, curved at tip and spinose, the aedeagus often with lateral sclerotization, sternum A8 often with two projections or bilobous.