Spionidae (Annelida) from shallow waters around the British Islands: an identification guide for the NMBAQC Scheme with an overview of spionid morphology and biology

摘要

This is the third guide in a series aimed to help in the identification of northern European samples through the National Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control (NMBAQC) Scheme. A review is presented of general morphology and biology of one of the most common groups in marine and estuarine communities worldwide, spionid polychaetes (Annelida: Spionidae). An identification key to 20 genera and a list of 80 species likely to occur in waters around Britain and Ireland are provided based on the taxonomic literature, collection records and the author's examination of various collections. The names are updated but some records need verification.