New records of peanut worms (Sipuncula) from a transitional coastal lagoon in Guerrero Negro, Baja California Peninsula, Mexico and notes on Nephasoma (Nephasoma) laetmophilum (Fisher, 1952)

• Published in: Cahiers de biologie marine Vol. 61; no. 5; p. 477
• Main Authors: Gálvez-Zeferino, Neysi, Hernández, José Amet Rivaz, Morales-Zárate, María Verónica, Aguilar-Aguilar, Rogelio, Salinas-Zavala, César Augusto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; French
• Published: Paris Cahiers de Biologie Marine 01-01-2020
• Subjects: Aquatic environment; Coastal lagoons; Coasts; Composition; Lagoons; Nephasoma (Nephasoma); New records; Sediment transport; Sipuncula; Mexico; Baja California Mexico
• ISSN: 0007-9723; 2262-3094
• DOI: 10.21411/CBM.A.46CB3B81

Five species of sipunculan worms belonging to two families and three genera were identified from the western coast of Baja California Peninsula and collected in Guerrero Negro lagoon. This lagoon system, located in western Baja California Peninsula, exhibits characteristics of marine connectivity, temperature, sediment transport and precipitation that, together, allow it to be considered as a transitional environment. This work constitutes the first approach to sipunculans in transitional aquatic systems and coastal lagoons in Mexico. Four species are new records for the marine fauna of the country. The morphological and distributional features of all species are critically discussed. Moreover, the species Nephasoma (Nephasoma) laetmophilum (Fisher, 1952), which has a narrow distribution in the Eastern Pacific (southern California and western coast of Baja California Peninsula), is noted after almost 67 years after its description. Our results represent a significant contribution for the taxonomic composition and distribution of sipunculans in Mexico. In addition, we point out the relevance of detailed redescriptions in neglected groups, such as sipunculans, as an essential tool for the proper evaluation of species status of specific doubtful names.