Identification key to Nephtyidae (Annelida) of the Sea of Okhotsk

Abstract

Currently, 15 species of Nephtyidae (Annelida) are known from the Sea of Okhotsk (north-western Pacific). A new user-friendly identification key is presented with a brief description for each species. The taxonomic positions of three closely related species, Nephtys brachycephala Moore, 1903, N. schmitti Hartman, 1938 and N. paradoxa Malm, 1874, are revised. The distributions of two species, Nephtys discors Ehlers, 1968 and N. assignis Hartman, 1950, are discussed.