taxonID	type	description	language	source
03CAED31FFE9FFB3FD8AA07FB7FFFE26.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 3981 E 316 - E 90 A- 4 C 15 - BB 3 B-BEEFA 3 ECC 770 Figs 1 – 4	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE9FFB3FD8AA07FB7FFFE26.taxon	etymology	Etymology The species name ‘ kikeballesterosi ’ is dedicated to our esteemed colleague and dear friend, Enric “ Kike ” Ballesteros, an exceptional naturalist and ecologist. Kike passed away on November 27, 2024, after courageously battling an aggressive illness. True to his passion for marine life, he continued diving and exploring the underwater world he cherished until his final days.	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE9FFB3FD8AA07FB7FFFE26.taxon	materials_examined	Type material Holotype SOUTH AFRICA • complete specimen; Mossel Bay; 34 ° 11 ʹ 11 ʺ S, 22 ° 09 ʹ 38 ʺ E; Apr. – Oct. 2015; Safiyya Sedick leg.; intertidal algal turf; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; SAM-A 089287. Paratypes SOUTH AFRICA • 10 complete specimens, 9 anterior fragments, 3 posterior fragments; same collection data as for holotype; SAM-A 089288 • 7 entire specimens; same collection data as for holotype; CEAB AP 998 A • 2 specimens, prepared for light microscopy; same collection data as for holotype; CEAB AP 998 B • 2 specimens, prepared for SEM; same collection data as for holotype; CEAB AP 998 C. Other material examined SOUTH AFRICA • 1 incomplete, 5 complete specimens; Glencairn False Bay, station FAL 128 S; 34 ° 9 ʹ 41 ʺ S, 18 ° 25 ʹ 53 ʺ E; 17 Feb. 1953; subtidal; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; SAM-MB-A 020804 • 3 complete specimens; Saldanha Bay, UCT Ecological Survey, station SB 246 C; 33 ° 4.1 ʺ S, 17 ° 59.7 ʺ E; 4 May 1960; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; SAM-MB-A 060290 • 4 complete specimens; West Coast Dredge, UCT Ecological Survey, station WCD 41 Q; 33 ° 6 ʹ 29.99 ʺ S, 17 ° 56 ʹ 42 ʺ E; 2 May 1960; subtidal; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; SAM-MB-A 069907 • 1 incomplete specimen; KwaZulu-Natal, Tongaat Beach; 29 ° 36 ʹ 53.35 ʺ S, 31 ° 9 ʹ 27.3 ʺ E; 1946; intertidal; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; SAM-MB-A 020805.	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE9FFB3FD8AA07FB7FFFE26.taxon	description	Description Body short, thin, narrow, 3.3 (3.3 – 4.2) mm long, 0.4 (0.32 – 0.53) mm wide, with 38 (34 – 53) chaetigers, with two dark, fine, transversal lines dorsally in anterior segments (Fig. 1 A, E – F). Prostomium small, roughly sub-pentagonal (Fig. 1 A – B, E – G), with four eyes in trapezoidal arrangement; eyespots not seen. Palps short, separate, triangular, fused at base (Figs 1 A – B, G, 3 B). Median antenna with 12 articles, lateral antennae with 15, 1.2 and 1.4 times as long as prostomium and palps, respectively (Figs 1 A – B, F – G, 3 A – B). Dorsal tentacular cirri with 25 articles, ventral tentacular cirri with 15 – 16 (Figs 1 B – G, 3 A – B). Tentacular segment narrower than subsequent ones, with a short occipital flap (Figs 1 A – B, F, 3 A – B). Dorsal cirri long, narrow, as long as body width (Figs 1 A – E, 3 A – B). Dorsal cirri of chaetiger 1 with 23 articles, 16 in chaetiger 2, 21 in chaetiger 3, and 16 – 18 (short) and 18 (long) in midbody chaetigers (Figs 1 A – G, 3 A). Parapodial lobes short, conical, distal papillae absent (Figs 2 A – B, 3 A, D – E). Ventral cirri shorter than parapodial lobes, lanceolated in few anterior segments (Figs 2 A, 3 B), then digitiform all along body (Fig. 3 B, D – E). Compound chaetae with heterogomph shaft with few, short subdistal spines; blades bidentate, with sub-distal teeth smaller than distal ones, slight dorso-ventral gradation in length, and serration with spines of moderate size, all similar in size in dorsal chaetae, progressively longer towards basis in ventral-most chaetae (Figs 2 A – G, 4 A – B). Anterior parapodia with 10 – 11 compound chaetae, with blades 27 µm long (dorsal) and 22 µm long (ventral) (Figs 2 A, C – D, 3 D, 4 A). Midbody parapodia with 10 – 11 compound chaetae, blades 23 µm long (dorsal), 20 µm long (ventral) (Figs 2 B, E – F, 3 E, 4 B). Posterior parapodia with eight compound chaetae, blades 18 µm long (dorsal), 12 µm long (ventral) (Fig. 2 B, G). Dorsal simple chaetae straight, with pointed tips, lacking marginal spines distally (Figs 2 H, 4 C); ventral simple chaetae bidentate, with well-marked teeth directed laterally (subdistal one slightly smaller than distal one) and a few short, well-marked marginal spines distally (Figs 2 I, 4 D – E). Four aciculae on anterior parapodia, one thinner with subdistal swelling and pointed tip, three drumstick-shaped (Fig. 2 J), reducing in number to two, drumstick-shaped in midbody and posterior segments (Fig. 2 K); aciculae of posterior parapodia thicker than in anterior parapodia, one thicker than the other (Fig. 2 K). Pharynx similar in length and width to proventricle, extending for six segments, with pharyngeal tooth near opening, but in slightly posterior position (Fig. 1 A – B, E – F). Proventricle occupying six segments, short, wide, with 23 muscular rows (Fig. 1 A – B, E – F). Pygidium with two anal cirri of similar length, with 15 – 18 articles; pygidial appendix digitiform (Figs 1 A, D – E, H, 3 C).	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE9FFB3FD8AA07FB7FFFE26.taxon	distribution	Distribution Southern coast of South Africa (Mossel Bay). Day (1967 a) reported S. (T.) prolifera as ranging from Namibia to Mozambique, a span that crosses four distinct biogeographical zones from cool temperate to tropical waters. However, considering the results highlighted in del Olmo et al. (2024) for the Mediterranean lineages and our own observations, such an extensive distribution is highly improbable for a single species. This may also apply to S. kikeballesterosi sp. nov., whose precise distribution would require further targeted sampling to be accurately assessed.	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE9FFB3FD8AA07FB7FFFE26.taxon	discussion	Remarks The putative cosmopolitan species S. prolifera has recently been revealed to be a complex of pseudocryptic species containing at least five different lineages within the western Mediterranean Sea and Gulf of Cadiz (del Olmo et al. 2024). Comparing our specimens with all these different lineages is beyond the scope of our paper. However, there are evident differences in the length pattern of the first five dorsal cirri (Table 1), as well as in the shape of midbody and posterior chaetae, which shows marginal spines always longer and thicker in our specimens (Fig. 4 A – B) compared with the those in the Mediterranean lineages (del Olmo et al. 2024). The original types of S. prolifera described in Krohn (1852) are lost according to Licher (1999), who defined and described the neotype for specimens collected in the type locality, Villefranche-sur-Mer (French Mediterranean). San Martín (2003) also included the species as reported in the Iberian peninsula, and the description perfectly agrees with that in Licher (1999), with only a slight difference in the length pattern of the anterior appendages, with the 5 th dorsal cirri being slightly shorter (Table 1). According to these two authors, the European S. prolifera and the specimens described by Day (1967 a) are longer (10.5 mm and 10 – 20 mm, respectively) than our specimens (3.6 – 4.2 mm long). The specimens in Day (1967 a) have palps shorter than our specimens, while both the European and Day (1967 a) specimens have much longer antennae (32 and 27 articles in median antenna, 20 and 16 in lateral antenna, respectively) than our specimens (12 and 15). San Martín (2003) reported the presence of a small papilla in the parapodial lobes and digitiform ventral cirri (absent and lanceolated in our specimens), blades of compound chaetae with both teeth similar in size (subdistal tooth smaller than distal one in our specimens), up to five narrow aciculae with blunt tips in anterior chaetigers, reducing in number and becoming drumstick shaped in posterior segments (three aciculae in anterior segments, also reducing in number towards posterior segments, but always being drumstick shaped in our specimens; Fig. 2 K). However, the description of S. prolifera in Day (1967 a) is presumably based on specimens reported from four studies (Day 1951, 1953, 1957, 1963). We could examine material that can be linked conclusively to the first and the last of these, in addition to material collected during other University of Cape Town Ecological Surveys from Saldanha Bay and dredging off the west coast in May 1960. Our observations reveal that these specimens represent three taxa, all different from our new species. The worms collected in False Bay — MB-A 020804, a station number listed in Day (1960), although not included as a collection site for the species — and Saldanha Bay — station MB-A 060290 — match the description in Day (1967 a). They usually have 3 – 4 aciculae in anterior parapodia, decreasing to 2 – 3 in mid parapodia, with at least 2 – 3 having pointed tips and at least one a slightly bent tip; the dorsal simple chaetae are similar in shape to those in our species, but the tip is minutely bidentate, while the ventral simple chaeta is strongly bidentate, and the posterior falcigers include some with short, strongly bidentate blades – similar to those shown in Day (1967 a: fig. 12.3. f). Specimens from West Coast Dredges — station MB-A 069907; reported, but not described, in Day (1963) — are similarly sized to our species, but have 4 – 5 aciculae, including some straight aciculae and some with strongly bent tips, and very robust falcigers. They also have what looks like simple chaetae through loss of blade. Although these might correspond to falcigers having lost the blades, these are the only specimens consistently showing these simple chaetae. Furthermore, these specimens were collected from depths greater than 1000 m, and are therefore unlikely to be the same species occurring in intertidal or subtidal waters. The specimen from KwaZulu-Natal — station MB-A 020805; Day (1951) — is quite slender (but still bigger than our species), has very fine dorsal cirri, and lacks dorsal stripes of pigment across the anterior region, showing a diffuse brown pigmentation pattern instead. Two species of Syllis having drumstick-shaped aciculae have been described from the studied region, including Syllis unzima Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014 and Syllis zahri Sedick & Simon, 2019 (Simon et al. 2014; Sedick & Simon 2019). These also share with our new species the characteristic color pattern formed by dark transversal bands on each anterior segment. Syllis unzima also has the pharyngeal tooth in the anterior margin in a slightly posterior position but differs in having unidentate compound chaetae with long spines on margin, unidentate ventral simple chaetae, proventricle shorter than pharynx (extending for four chaetigers), reproducing by viviparity, and living as symbiont with holothurians. Syllis zahri differs in having the pharyngeal tooth close to pharyngeal anterior margin, two types of pseudo-simple chaetae formed by loss of blade and enlargement of shaft in different regions of the body, dorsal simple chaetae with rounded tip, and ventral simple chaetae unidentate, with smooth margin. Other species of Syllis show drumstick-shaped aciculae and a pharyngeal tooth placed slightly backwards from anterior margin. Among them, Syllis vivipara Krohn, 1869 from the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Caribbean Sea, Syllis prolixa Ehlers, 1901 from South America, and Syllis escribanoi San Martín, Lucas & Westheide, 2021 from China, show either some or all chaetae unidentate (Hartman 1964; San Martín 2003; San Martín et al. 2021). Syllis rubicunda Aguado, San Martín & Nishi, 2006 from Japan, Syllis antoniae Salcedo-Oropeza, San Martín & Solís-Weiss, 2012 from the Mexican Pacific, and Syllis busseltonensis (Hartmann-Schröder, 1982), Syllis similisunzima San Martín, Lucas & Hutchings, 2023, and Syllis thylacine San Martín, Lucas & Hutchings, 2023 from Australia, all have bidentate chaetae. Syllis rubicunda differs in having broad dorsal cirri and a distinctive red or orange color pattern (Aguado et al. 2006). Syllis antoniae lacks a dorsal color pattern and the long dorsal cirri have more than 60 articles, are about 3 × as long as body width, and alternate with short cirri with ca 30 articles (Salcedo-Oropesa et al. 2012). Syllis busseltonensis also lacks dorsal color pattern, the pharynx is narrower than proventricle, each occupying 3 – 5 segments, the dorsal simple chaetae are bidentate and have a subdistal marginal serration, and the ventral simple chaetae are slender and lack distal serration (San Martín et al. 2023). Syllis similisunzima has a color pattern with dark transversal bands, but differs in having long midbody dorsal cirri with> 30 articles, twice as long as body width, and alternating with short cirri with ca 20 articles, distally bilobed parapodial lobes, 7 – 8 chaetae per parapodium with subdistal tooth markedly smaller than distal one, bidentate dorsal simple chaeta with subdistal marginal serration, and ventral simple chaetae bidentate, smooth (San Martín et al. 2023). Syllis thylacine has a dorsal color pattern with segmental transverse reddish bands on posterior margins of each segment and a lateral spot at bases of each cirrophore, midbody dorsal cirri alternating from similar to body width (20 articles) to longer than body width (up to 30 articles), bidentate compound chaetae with subdistal teeth similar or larger than distal one, bidentate dorsal simple chaetae with subdistal marginal serration, bidentate smooth ventral simple chaetae, and longer pharynx and proventricle (7 – 8 segments, 32 muscle cell rows) (San Martín et al. 2023).	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE1FFB6FD80A7B2B48FFAB6.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 394 DF 90 F-E 834 - 4853 - AB 6 C- 93 CEF 8 AD 5 EC 8 Figs 5 – 8	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE1FFB6FD80A7B2B48FFAB6.taxon	etymology	Etymology The species name ‘ pseudohylalina ’ refers to the close similarity with the Mediterranean Syllis hyalina, by adding the prefix ‘ pseudo ’ coming from the Greek word ‘ pseudos ’ (ψεῦδος), meaning ‘ false’ or ‘ deceptive’, being commonly used to reflect something that resembles another thing but is not genuinely that thing.	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE1FFB6FD80A7B2B48FFAB6.taxon	materials_examined	Type material Holotype SOUTH AFRICA • entire specimen; Mossel Bay; 34 ° 11 ʹ 11 ʺ S, 22 ° 09 ʹ 38 ʺ E; Apr. – Oct. 2015; Safiyya Sedick leg.; intertidal algal turf; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; SAM-A 089289. Paratypes SOUTH AFRICA • 3 entire specimens, 1 regenerating posterior end, 1 lacking posterior region; same collection data as for holotype; SAM-A 089290 • 2 specimens, prepared for light microscopy; same collection data as for holotype; CEAB AP 1001 A • 2 specimens, prepared for SEM; same collection data as for holotype; CEAB AP 1001 B. Other material examined SOUTH AFRICA • 3 incomplete specimens; West Coast Dredge, UCT Ecological Survey, station WCD 19 J; 33 ° 5 ʹ 35.9988 ʺ S, 17 ° 54 ʹ 29.9982 ʺ E; 29 Apr. 1959; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; SAM-MB-A 069882 • 4 complete specimens, 5 incomplete specimens; West Coast Dredge, UCT Ecological Survey, station WCD 8 G; 34 ° 9 ʹ 18 ʺ S, 18 ° 17 ʹ 30.0012 ʺ E; 24 Mar. 1959; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; SAM-MB-A 069870 • 1 incomplete specimen; Saldanha Bay, UCT Ecological Survey, station SB 189 M; 33 ° 1.1 ” S, 18 ° 0.3 ” E; 30 Apr. 1959; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; SAM-MB-A 060274.	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE1FFB6FD80A7B2B48FFAB6.taxon	description	Description Body long, 3.6 (3.1 – 7) mm long, 0.46 (0.35 – 0.5) mm wide, with 49 (33 – 74) chaetigers (Figs 5 A, 7 A). Prostomium small, usually with two pairs of eyes, anteriormost half size of posterior; figured specimen being aberrant in having right posterior eye divided in two (Fig. 5 A – B). Palps triangular, as long as prostomium, fused at bases (Figs 5 A – B, 7 B – C). Median antenna with 24 articles, lateral ones with 16 – 19 articles (Figs 5 A – B, 7 B – C). Dorsal tentacular cirri shorter than median antenna, longer than lateral, with 22 articles, ventral tentacular cirri with 14 articles (Figs 5 B, 7 A – C). Tentacular segment shorter than subsequent ones, partly covering posterior end of prostomium (Figs 5 A – B, 7 B). Nuchal organs not seen. Dorsal cirri thick, fusiform, distally tapering, similar in length, all along body, alternating long and short at midbody, longer ones slightly longer than body width, with 24 articles at chaetiger 1, 16 at chaetiger 2, 17 at chaetiger 3, 27 at chaetiger 4,12 – 13 (short), and 18 – 20 (long) at midbody chaetigers (Figs 5 A, 7 A – D). Parapodial lobes short, conical (Fig. 7 C, F – G). Ventral cirri conical to pyriform in anterior segments, digitiform in mid- and posterior body, as long as parapodial lobes (Figs 6 J – K, 7 C – D). Compound chaetae with heterogomph shaft with few, short subdistal spines becoming thicker in midbody and posterior chaetigers; falciger blades bidentate, with subdistal teeth slightly smaller than distal one all along body, and few straight, thick marginal spines slightly longer at bases (Figs 6 A – G, 8 A – E). Anterior parapodia with nine compound chaetae, blades 27 µm (dorsal) and 22 µm (ventral) (Figs 6 A – B, 7 B – C, F, 8 A). Midbody parapodia with 6 – 7 compound chaetae, blades 23 µm (dorsal), 20 µm (ventral) (Figs 6 C – D, 7 D, G, 8 B – C). Posterior parapodia with 4 – 5 compound chaetae, blades 17.5 – 26.3 µm (dorsal), 12.5 – 14.2 µm (ventral), with some short blades markedly thinner than others (Figs 6 E – G, 7 E, 8 D – E). Dorsal simple chaetae straight, bidentate, with teeth directed upwards, subdistal teeth slightly smaller than distal ones, with few short subdistal spines (Figs 6 H, 8 F), ventral simple chaetae curved, bidentate, with teeth directed laterally, both of similar size, with few short subdistal spines (Figs 6 I, 8 G). Four aciculae in anterior parapodia, one clearly thinner than others, with 90 ° bent tip, two straight with round, truncated end, and one with pointed oblique tip; two aciculae in midbody parapodia, thick, with pointed oblique tips, one clearly more oblique than other, both slightly protruding from acicular lobe; single acicula in posteriormost segments, with slightly inflated, oblique tips, slightly protruding from acicular lobes (Figs 6 L – N, 7 F). Pharynx short, red color, extending over 9 – 10 segments, with pharyngeal tooth located at opening, slightly posterior (Fig. 5 B). Proventricle very long, extending along 11 – 12 segments, with 45 (42 – 51) muscular rows (Fig. 5 A – B). Pygidium small; 2 anal cirri with 14 – 17 articles; pygidial appendix only one, digitiform (Figs 5 A, D – E, 7 E).	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE1FFB6FD80A7B2B48FFAB6.taxon	distribution	Distribution South African coast. Western Cape Province: off southwestern and southern (Mossel Bay) coasts.	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE1FFB6FD80A7B2B48FFAB6.taxon	discussion	Remarks Our specimens most closely resemble Syllis hyalina Grube, 1863, originally described from the Mediterranean (Grube 1863; San Martín 2003). Both species lack body color — despite some specimens of S. hyalina have been reported as having dark transversal bands in anterior segments (San Martín 2003) —, have only falcigerous bidentate chaetae with the subdistal teeth similar in shape and size to the distal, and have the posterior acicula slightly protruding from the acicular lobe, slightly inflated distally, and having an oblique tip. However, the Mediterranean S. hyalina is longer (21 vs 6 – 7 mm) and has more chaetigers (110 vs 74), robust palps longer than prostomium (triangular, shorter than prostomium), shorter antennae (median: 7 – 15 articles, lateral: 11 – 12 articles vs median: 24, lateral: 16 – 19), dorsal tentacular cirri as long as median antenna (shorter than median antenna), ventral cirri longer than parapodial lobes (as long as parapodial lobes), and the pharynx lacking color and being slightly longer than proventricle, which shows 33 muscular rows (reddish, shorter, with 42 muscular rows in our specimens). Our specimens also resemble Syllis armillaris (O. F. Müller, 1776) and Syllis malaquini Ribeiro, Ponz-Segrelles, Helm, Egger & Aguado, 2020 in overall body shape (Müller 1776; Ribeiro et al. 2020). However, S. armillaris differs in having the blades of the midbody compound chaetae with the distal tooth smaller and with short marginal spines (both teeth similar in size, marginal spines similar to anterior chaetae in our specimens). Moreover, S. malaquini shows a characteristic color pattern consisting of dark lines on the dorsum of each segment, including peristomium, and dark stain on the anterior region of prostomium (absent in our specimens) and dorsal simple chaetae with a distal notch (bidentate in our specimens) (Ribeiro et al. 2020). The specimens reported as Syllis (Typosyllis) hyalina in Day (1967 a), despite being briefly described and illustrated, show marked differences with S. pseudohyalina sp. nov. (e. g., in having a very short proventricle), but also differ from the Mediterranean S. hyalina. Day (1967 a) suggested that they might be juveniles of S. variegata, which is a Mediterranean species most likely absent in South Africa. Therefore, further sampling is required to clarify the taxonomic status of the specimens attributed to S. (T.) hyalina by Day (1967 a). Day (1967 a) cites Day (1953, 1960) as sources for his report of S. variegata. None of the material examined by Day (1953) was available, but we examined three of the 22 samples reported in Day (1960) as S. variegata. That paper, however, does not include a description of these specimens, which, upon examination, did not match the description of S. variegata in Day (1967 a). Although smaller, our specimens, initially identified as S. variegata by Sedick (2018), more closely resemble this material (SAM MB-A 060274; SAM MB-A 069882; SAM MB-A 069870) than the description in Day (1967 a). Syllis variegata, as redescribed in San Martín (2003) and reported in Day (1967 a), is much longer (15 mm and 40 mm long, respectively) than our South African specimens (6 – 7 mm), although the complete specimens collected by Day (1960) and examined here were all shorter than 40 mm long. However, the Mediterranean S. variegata and our specimens agree in having the midbody dorsal cirri as long as or shorter than body width, while these are longer than body width in Day’s (1967 a) S. variegata. Furthermore, both the Mediterranean and Day’s (1967 a) S. variegata have the anterior dorsal cirri longer than body width (similar or shorter in our specimens). Moreover, the Mediterranean S. variegata shows a characteristic reddish transversal ∞ pigmentation pattern in each anterior segment that progressively disappears in midbody and posterior segments (San Martín 2003), Day’s (1967 a) specimens have a broken brown bar pattern (with three bars on each segment) also in anterior region and disappearing posteriorly, while our specimens and those we examined from Day (1960) lack pigmentation. This absence of pigmentation is unlikely due to fading, as specimens matching the description of S. variegata according to Day (1967 a) are still strongly pigmented after being in 95 % ethanol for a year (C. Simon, personal observation). The single acicula of posterior parapodia in the Mediterranean S. variegata has a straight pointed tip that clearly protrudes from the parapodial lobe (San Martín 2003), while our specimens show the single posterior acicula slightly protruding from the acicular lobe and having an oblique tip. Moreover, our specimens show slightly longer antennae (median: 24 articles, lateral: 16 – 18) than the Mediterranean (17 – 18 and 12 – 13, respectively) and Day’s (1967 a) specimens (16 and 12, respectively), and the pharynx is shorter than the proventricle (extending through 9 – 10 segments) and shows a characteristic red color, while it is longer than the proventricle (extending through 11 – 12 segments). Some of the 1959 specimens collected in Day (1960) have up to five aciculae in anterior chaetigers, with 1 – 2 with a pointed oblique tip. Moreover, while the red pharynx is between 9 – 11 chaetigers long, the proventricle was up to 16 chaetigers long, a difference that may be size related. Therefore, neither our specimens nor those described by Day (1967 a), belong to S. variegata. Our observations also confirm that our specimens differ from those found by Day (1967 a) and belong to a different species, with the taxonomy of the latter requiring further efforts to be accurately assessed.	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE4FFADFE57A33CB644FA8B.taxon	description	Figs 9 – 12	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE4FFADFE57A33CB644FA8B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined SOUTH AFRICA • 3 entire specimens, 4 lacking posterior end; Mossel Bay; 34 ° 11 ʹ 11 ʺ S, 22 ° 09 ʹ 38 ʺ E; Apr. – Oct. 2015; Safiyya Sedick leg.; intertidal algal turf; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; CEAB AP 1003 A • 2 specimens, prepared for light microscopy; same collection data as for preceding; CEAB AP 1003 B • 2 specimens, prepared for SEM; same collection data as for preceding; CEAB AP 1003 C. Other material examined SOUTH AFRICA • 17 complete specimens; Saldanha Bay, Lynch Point, UCT Ecological Survey, station SB 155 X; 33 ° 2 ʹ 52.774 ʺ S, 18 ° 0 ʹ 45.186 ʺ E; 22 Sep. 1957; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; SAM-MB-A 060395.	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE4FFADFE57A33CB644FA8B.taxon	description	Description Body long, thick, 8 – 9.5 mm long 0.6 – 0.7 mm wide, with 74 – 90 chaetigers (Figs 9 A – B, 11 A – B). Prostomium small, with four eyes, with two eyespots in anterior position (Figs 9 A – D, 11 A, C). Palps triangular (Fig. 9 A – D). Median antenna with 15 articles, lateral ones with 11 articles (Figs 9 C – D, 11 C). Tentacular segment with dorsal (13 articles) and ventral (11 articles) tentacular cirri (Fig. 9 C – D, 11 C). Dorsal cirri of chaetiger 1 with 15 – 16 articles, 13 – 16 in chaetiger 2, 16 in chaetiger 3, and 6 – 7 (short) and 10 – 11 (long) in midbody and posterior chaetigers (Figs 9 A – F, 11 C – E). Parapodial lobes short, with rounded ends (Figs 9 G – I, 11 C – F). Ventral cirri short, lanceolate with round tips, slightly distally bilobed (Figs 9 G – I, 11 D, F – H). Compound chaetae heterogomph, bidentate, with very small proximal tooth, and moderately long spines on margin, all similar throughout, with some dorso-ventral and antero-posterior gradation in length (Figs 10 A – D, 12 A – D, G). Anterior parapodia with 6 – 9 compound chaetae, blades 36 µm (long), progressively decreasing dorso-ventrally to 17 µm (short) (Figs 10 A, 12 A). Midbody parapodia with 5 – 7 compound chaetae, blades 28 µm (long) progressively decreasing to 17 µm (short), with 5 – 6 segments showing 2 – 3 pseudo-simple chaetae by loss of blade and with shafts slightly thicker than compound chaetae, not present in all parapodia (Figs 10 B – E, 12 B – E). Posterior parapodia with 6 – 10 compound chaetae, blades 28 µm (long), 19 µm (short) (Figs 10 F – G, 12 F – G). Dorsal simple chaetae straight (Figs 10 H, 12 H – J), ventral simple chaetae sinuous (Figs 10 I, 12 K). Three aciculae in anterior parapodia (two with oblique tip, one with acuminate, pointed, straight tip); two in midbody parapodia (one acuminate, one oblique); one in posterior parapodia, with oblique tips, thicker than anterior ones, slightly protruding from parapodial lobes (Figs 10 J – L, 12 E). Pharynx long, extending over 8 – 10 segments, with small, conical tooth on anterior margin (Fig. 9 A – D). Proventricle similar in length to pharynx, extending through 10 – 11 segments, with about 41 – 45 muscle cell rows (Fig. 9 A – B). Pygidium with two long anal cirri with 16 articles and a digitiform median appendix (Figs 9 A – B, F, J – K, 11 B, G – H).	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE4FFADFE57A33CB644FA8B.taxon	distribution	Distribution South African coasts. Western Cape Province: west (Saldanha Bay), south-west (west and east Walker Bay – type locality) and south (Mossel Bay).	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFE4FFADFE57A33CB644FA8B.taxon	discussion	Remarks The specimens collected at Mossel Bay fully agree with the morphology the types of S. amicarmillaris (Simon et al. 2014). Both have similar body shapes and lack pigmentation, have heterogomph, bidentate compound chaetae with small proximal tooth, show midbody pseudo-simple chaetae by loss of blade and enlargement of shaft, have sinuous ventral simple chaetae, long pharynx extending over 8 – 10 segments, and proventricle equal in length with pharynx extending over 10 – 11 segments with a similar number of muscular rows. The only observed differences are likely caused by the differences in size, as the types of S. amicarmillaris are longer (32 mm vs 8 – 9.5 mm in our specimens). Therefore, the number of chaetigers is higher (181 vs 74 – 90) and the midbody dorsal cirri have more articles (12 – 19 vs 9 – 10). Also, the number of parapodia bearing pseudo-simple chaetae is smaller in our specimens, with these chaetae being sometimes present in the parapodia of one side of a segment and absent in that of the other side. Moreover, when present, its number may vary in the two parapodia of the same segment. Samples identified as S. variegata collected in 1957 as part of the UCT Ecological Survey in Saldanha Bay, and possibly identified by John Day, were in fact S. amicarmillaris. These specimens could not be linked to any publications, but they are unlikely to have been used to develop the description of S. variegata owing to the presence of the short dorsal cirri and pseudo-simple chaetae that are characteristic for S. amicarmillaris. The original description of S. amicarmillaris includes populations distributed along the South African coast from Walker Bay (the type locality) to Saldanha Bay (Simon et al. 2014), a distance of approximately 350 km. Although Mossel Bay is somewhat closer to Walker Bay (approximately 260 km away), this geographic distance could still act as a barrier to gene flow. Nonetheless, the available morphological evidence does not support a clear distinction between these populations. Further molecular analyses are needed to determine whether the specimens from Walker Bay and Mossel Bay represent geographically separated populations of a single species or whether speciation has already occurred. Additionally, while Day (1960) reported S. variegata from Mossel Bay — three lots of which matching with S. pseudohyalina sp. nov. — Day (1953) also listed Danger Point as a locality for S. variegata. However, this site is in Walker Bay, very close to the type locality of S. amicarmillaris. These partly overlapping and potentially conflicting records by Day add further confusion to the taxonomic and biogeographic picture of polychaetes from South African coasts, highlighting the need for more detailed morphological and genetic studies to resolve these issues.	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFFFFFA2FDA2A3BCB157FB1D.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: BFA 1 DCAC- 364 D- 40 D 2 - 88 DA- 2 E 2207 C 7073 D Figs 13 – 16	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFFFFFA2FDA2A3BCB157FB1D.taxon	etymology	Etymology The species name ‘ knysnaensis ’ is dedicated to the type locality at Knysna Estuary, South Africa.	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFFFFFA2FDA2A3BCB157FB1D.taxon	materials_examined	Type material Holotype SOUTH AFRICA • entire specimen; Knysna Estuary, Railway; 34 ° 2 ʹ 23.65 ʺ S, 23 ° 2 ʹ 6.49 ʺ E; Jul. 2021; Arturo Álvarez-Aguilar and Danne Pretorius leg.; intertidal, soft sediments; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; SAM – A 089279. Paratypes SOUTH AFRICA • 2 anterior fragments; Knysna Estuary, Railway; 34 ° 2 ʹ 23.65 ʺ S, 23 ° 2 ʹ 6.49 ʺ E; Jul. 2021; CEAB AP 1006 A • 2 entire specimens; same collection data as for preceding; Jul. 2021; CEAB AP 1006 B • 2 entire specimens, 3 anterior fragments; same collection data as for preceding; May 2021; SAMC – A 089213 • 1 entire specimen; same collection data as for preceding; Jan. 2021; SAM – A 089280 • 1 specimen, prepared for SEM; same collection data as for preceding; Jan. 2021; CEAB AP 1006 C • 1 specimen lacking posterior end; Bollard Bay; 34 ° 2 ʹ 37.33 ʺ S, 23 ° 3 ʹ 59.65 ʺ E; Jul. 2021; SAM – A 089281 • 5 entire specimens, 2 anterior fragments; Reserve; 34 ° 3 ʹ 31.80 ʺ S, 23 ° 2 ʹ 2.18 ʺ E; Jul. 2021; SAM – A 089282 • 1 anterior fragment; The Point; 34 ° 2 ʹ 21.32 ʺ S, 23 ° 0 ʹ 45.01 ʺ E; Jan. 2021; SAM – A 089283 • 1 entire specimen, 1 in two fragments; Thesen Island Bridge; 34 ° 2 ʹ 39.01 ʺ S, 23 ° 2 ʹ 52.19 ʺ E; May 2021; SAMC – A 089232 • 1 entire specimen, 1 specimen stolonizing; Ashmead; 34 ° 2 ʹ 39.01 ʺ S, 23 ° 2 ʹ 52.19 ʺ E; May 2021; SAM – A 089291 • 1 entire specimen; same collection data as for preceding; Jan. 2021; SAM – A 089285 • 1 entire specimen; Brenton; 34 ° 3 ʹ 31.80 ʺ S, 23 ° 2 ʹ 2.18 ʺ E; Jan. 2021; SAM – A 089286 • 1 specimen prepared for SEM; same data as for preceding; Jul. 2021; CEAB AP 1006 D • 1 entire specimen; Thesen Island Bridge; 34 ° 2 ʹ 39.01 ʺ S, 23 ° 2 ʹ 52.19 ʺ E; Jan. 2021; SAM – A 089284 • 2 specimens prepared for light microscopy; same data as for preceding; Jul. 2021; CEAB AP 1006 E. Other material examined SOUTH AFRICA • 1 complete, 3 incomplete specimens (2 stolonizing); Saldanha Bay, UCT Ecological Survey, station SB 183 N; 33 ° 2 ’ 30 ” S, 17 ° 58 ’ 42 ” E; 29 Apr. 1959; fixed in 4 % seawater formalin, preserved in 70 % ethanol; SAM-MB-A 060273 • 1 incomplete specimen; False Bay, Oatland Point, UCT Ecological Survey; station FAL 149 V; 34 ° 11 ’ 48 ” S, 18 ° 27 ’ 16 ” E; 12 Mar. 1953; SAM-MB-A 020798.	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFFFFFA2FDA2A3BCB157FB1D.taxon	description	Description Body long and thin, but highly variable in length, 6.52 (4.1 – 12) mm long, 0.36 (0.31 – 0.73 mm wide, with 59 (55 – 65) chaetigers (Figs 13 A – B, 15 A – B). Prostomium small, oval to sub-pentagonal, with four eyes and two anterior ocular spots (Figs 13 B – D). Palps large, triangular, ⅔ as long as prostomium, fused at bases, with a distinct groove (Fig. 13 A – D). Lateral and median antennae pseudo-articulated (Figs 13 B, D, 15 C – D). Tentacular segment shorter than following ones (Figs 13 D, 15 C – D). Dorsal tentacular cirri pseudo-articulated, slightly longer than ventral one, as long as median antenna; ventral tentacular cirri pseudo-articulated (Figs 13 B – D, 15 C – D). Dorsal cirri slender, elongated, whip-shaped, alternating long and short all along body, smooth except first that is slightly pseudo-articulated distally (Figs 13 B – F, 15 C – F). Dorsal cirri of chaetiger 1 as long as body width, of chaetiger 2 ⅓ of body width, of chaetiger 3 ⅓ of body width, of chaetiger 4 half of body width (Figs 13 C – D, 15 C), then alternating ⅓ and half body width along most of body (Figs 13 E, 15 E), to as long and half body width in posteriormost segments (Figs 13 F, 15 G). Anterior dorsal cirri with a short sub-cirral papilla at bases of cirrophores and a fossa between cirrophore and papilla (Fig. 16 A). Parapodial lobes conical with round tips (Figs 13 B – F, 15 C – F). Ventral cirri as long as parapodial lobes, anterior ones lanceolate, with round tips, posterior and midbody triangular with elongated tips (Figs 13 H – I, 15 B, D, F, H). Anterior parapodia with 20 – 30 compound chaetae mostly falcigers; 4 – 6 spinigers of two lengths; number of chaetae reducing towards posterior segments (Figs 14 A, 16 B, G, K). Anterior parapodia with falcigers with short, bidentate blades, most dorsal 18 μm long, most ventral 14 μm, with a very small subdistal tooth, and few thick marginal spines (Figs 14 A – B, 16 B – D); spinigers long, filiform, 2 – 3 with blades ca 90 µm long, 2 – 3 with blades ca 50 μm long, distally bifid, visible only under SEM, with short marginal spines (Figs 14 A, C, 16 B, E). Midbody parapodia compound chaetae with 5 – 10 falcigers, ca 15 – 17 μm long, similar to anterior ones in mid-anterior parapodia (Fig. 16 H), progressively changing to show two different forms: thick, ⅔ as thick as thin, with subdistal tooth much larger than distal one (Figs 14 D, 16 I – J) and thin, with subdistal tooth slightly larger than distal one (Figs 14 E, 16 I); all with few thick marginal spines; 2 – 4 spinigers of two lengths similar to anteriormost parapodia (Figs 14 D – G, 16 F – G). Posterior parapodia with 3 – 5 falcigers, 15 – 17 μm long and varying in thickness; thick ¼ as thick as thin, with subdistal tooth much larger than distal one (Figs 14 H, 16 L), thin with subdistal tooth slightly smaller than distal one (Figs 14 I, 16 L); all with few thick spines on margin (Figs 14 H – I, 16 L); two spinigers of similar length (60 – 65 µm), similar in shape to anteriormost parapodia, apparently unidentate (Figs 14 K, 16 K, M). Dorsal simple chaetae on most posterior segments, slightly curved, with slightly serrated margin, distally bidentate, both teeth short, broad, upwards directed (Figs 14 L, 16 N – O); ventral simple chaetae on most posterior segments, markedly bidentate, both teeth acute, large, subdistal slightly longer than distal one, apparently smooth (Figs 14 M, 16 P). Three aciculae in anterior parapodia, two straight with slightly inflated, acuminate tip, one with round tip bent in oblique angle (Fig. 14 N); two aciculae in midbody parapodia, one straight with slightly inflated, acuminate tip and one with round tip bent in oblique angle (Fig. 14 O); one acicula in posterior parapodia, with round tip bent in oblique angle (Fig. 14 P – Q). Pharynx with a small pharyngeal tooth close to anterior margin, similar in size (Fig. 13 C) or slightly longer (Fig. 13 B, D) than proventricle, extending through 6 – 7 segments; proventricle through 4 – 7 segments with 26 (25 – 27) muscular rows. Pygidium small, triangular, with two very long, smooth, whip – shaped anal cirri; pygidial appendix triangular (Figs 13 B, F, 15 G – H).	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFFFFFA2FDA2A3BCB157FB1D.taxon	distribution	Distribution South Africa. Western Cape Province: west coast (Saldanha Bay, False Bay) and southern coast (Knysna Estuary).	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
03CAED31FFFFFFA2FDA2A3BCB157FB1D.taxon	discussion	Remarks Paraehlersia knysnaensis sp. nov. differs from all previously known species in the genus in having two types of spiniger chaetae (long and short) and falciger blades with the distal tooth much longer than the subdistal one in anterior parapodia, while all other species have spinigers with either a graduating length or with similar lengths and falcigers with both teeth similar in size. Also, P. knysnaensis has two types of falcigers (thin, with teeth of similar size and thick, with subdistal tooth much larger than distal one) in midbody posterior parapodia, while all other species have only falcigers corresponding to the thick type, with subdistal tooth either slightly or much larger than distal one. Paraehlersia pamelae Prado & San Martín, 2024, from the Alboran Sea, shares with P. knysnaensis sp. nov. the shape of simple chaetae and aciculae, as well as the small size of the pharyngeal tooth, but P. pamelae has a shorter body (3.52 mm and 4.1 – 12 mm long, respectively) and the pharynx is longer than proventricle (similar in size or slightly longer in our species) (Prado & San Martín 2024). Paraehlersia ferrugina (Langerhans, 1881), from the Canary Islands, has the ventral simple chaetae with subdistal tooth much longer than distal one and up to eight aciculae with truncated tips in anterior region (San Martín 2003), while the subdistal tooth in the ventral simple chaetae is only slightly longer and the aciculae are not so numerous and have rounded tips in P. knysnaensis sp. nov. Paraehlersia ferrugina was also reported from South Africa by Day (1967 a), but the specimens differ from P. knysnaensis in shape of falciger and spiniger chaetae. Paraehlersia ferrugina was first reported from South Africa in Day (1960), which did not include any illustration or descriptive notes — only a mention that it was a new record for the country. Day (1967 a) cited only his earlier work (Day 1960) as the reference for this identification. We have examined this material and it matched P. knysnaensis in all diagnostic features. Notably, the shape of both falcigers and spinigers were inaccurately represented in Day (1967 a). In particular, the marginal teeth of anterior falcigers, as well as those at the base of posterior falcigers, are significantly more pronounced than depicted. Paraehlersia articulata (Kudenov & Harris, 1995), from the Santa Barbara Channel (California), has aciculae with diamond shaped tips (round in P. knysnaensis sp. nov.) and a proventricle with slightly less muscular cell rows (22 – 24 vs 25 – 27) (Kudenov & Harris 1995). Paraehlersia longichaetosa Fukuda, Centurión, Nogueira & San Martín, 2012, from offshore Banco Sarmiento (Argentina), has filiform dorsal cirri (whip-shaped in P. knysnaensis sp. nov.), ventral cirri shorter than parapodial lobes (equally long in P. knysnaensis), bidentate ventral simple chaetae with a clear distal serration (smooth in P. knysnaensis), and single posterior acicula with irregularly inflated tips (round, bent at oblique angle in P. knysnaensis) (Fukuda et al. 2012). Paraehlersia martapolae Fukuda, Centurión, Nogueira & San Martín, 2012, from São Paulo (Brazil), has ventral cirri shorter than parapodial lobes (similar in length in P. knysnaensis sp. nov.), pharynx longer than proventricle, through 9 – 12 segments (similar in size to proventricle, through 6 – 7 segments in P. knysnaensis), and proventricle shorter than pharynx, extending through 5 – 6.5 segments with 21 – 24 muscular rows (as long as proventricle, through 4 – 5 segments, with 25 – 27 muscular rows in P. knysnaensis) (Fukuda et al. 2012). Paraehlersia dionisi (Núñez & San Martín, 1991), from the Canary Islands, has dorsal simple chaetae with heavily serrated margin (slightly serrated margin in P. knysnaensis sp. nov.), aciculae with rounded tip ending in a lateral, short mucron (with round, non-mucronate tip in P. knysnaensis), and proventricle shorter than pharynx, extending through seven segments and with 30 muscular rows (similar in length to pharynx, extending through 4 – 5 segments, and 25 – 30 muscular rows in P. knysnaensis) (Núñez & San Martín 1991). Paraehlersia kawesqar Soto & San Martín, 2018, from Concepción Channel (Chile), has ventral cirri shorter than parapodial lobes (similar in length to parapodial lobes in P. knysnaensis sp. nov.), acicula distally acuminated (with round tip, bent in oblique angle in P. knysnaensis), pharynx shorter than proventricle extending through 7 – 9 segments (similar, 6 – 7 segments in P. knysnaensis), proventricle extending through 14 – 15 segments (4 – 5 in P. knysnaensis) (Soto & San Martín 2018). Paraehlersia ehlersiaeformis (Augener 1913), from Shark Bay (Australia), has ventral cirri shorter than parapodial lobes (longer than parapodial lobes in P. knysnaensis sp. nov.), dorsal simple chaetae slightly truncated (bidentate in P. knysnaensis), ventral simple chaetae with proximal tooth slightly hooked (both teeth acute in P. knysnaensis), acicula in anterior parapodia with acuminate or lancet-shaped tip (round in P. knysnaensis) and solitary with oblique tip in midbody and posterior parapodia (straight, with rounded tip in P. knysnaensis), pharynx longer than proventricle (similar in P. knysnaensis), and proventricle with 21 – 22 muscular rows (25 – 27 in P. knysnaensis) (San Martín & Hutchings 2006).	en	Samoilova, Veronika, Simon, Carol A., Martín, Guillermo San, Martin, Daniel (2026): Descriptions of three new species of South African Syllidae Grube, 1850 (Polychaeta) and range confirmation of Syllis amicarmillaris Simon, San Martín & Robinson, 2014. European Journal of Taxonomy 1034: 226-258, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3165, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3165/14081
