New record of an estuarine polychaete, Neanthes glandicincta (Annelida, Nereididae) on the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

An estuarine species of Nereididae (Annelida), Neanthes glandicincta (Southern, 1921) has been newly recorded on the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia located in the South China Sea based on 23 specimens collected from three estuaries (Tumpat, Kelantan Delta, Kelantan; Setiu Lagoon, Terengganu; Kuala Ibai, Terengganu). The morphological characteristics of the Malaysian specimens agree well with those of the previous original description and the redescription of N. glandicincta based on Indian, Myanmar and Singapore specimens. The number of paragnaths in all groups on the proboscis of our Malaysian specimens is within the range of the intraspecific variation of N. glandicincta as shown in the previous descriptions. An identification key to species of the Neanthes glandicincta species complex, which includes two morphologically similar species, is provided.