Table 3 in Biodiversity data and new species descriptions of polychaetes from offshore waters of the Falkland Islands, an area undergoing hydrocarbon exploration

Table 3. Table comparing species of Aphelochaeta likely to be found in the Falkland Islands region. SpeciesProstomium shapeDT - 1st Br positionDorsal crest (DC)Anterior body shapeVentral grooveMGSA. longisetosaConical with rounded blunt tipDT situated laterally on distal edge of Per; 1st Br lateral to DTPresent on Per area but weakly developedWidens gradually but then remains same width down to pygidial area; dorsally flatFrom mid- thorax extending down abdominal sectionNo staining pattern observedA. cf. longisetosaConical with a blunt- pointed tipDT separated, situated laterally on distal edge of Peri; 1st Br lateral and distal to DTPresent on Per areaWidens gradual in thoracic region then narrows slightly near junction with abdominal region; dorsally humpedFrom mid- thorax extending down abdominal sectionBand or spot on ventral prostomial region extending into mouth, diffuse staining on sides of peristomium, distinct partial bands ventrally on thoracic chaetigersA. falklandica sp. nov.Prostomium wide, conical with rounded or ‘stumpy’ pointDT situated on distal edge of Per, 1st Br lateral or slight posterior.Present but better developed on proximal part of PerBody widening gradually in thorax then narrowing at junction with abdomen; dorsally flattened; dorsally flatFrom mid to posterior thoracic chaetigers down bodyBand ventral under the prostomium extending into the mouth, stain on the lateral part of the peristomium near to the junction with the first chaetiger, narrow bands along lateral and ventral edges of thoracic chaetigersA. palmeriBlunt pointed with slight indentations at junction with PerDT arise from junction of Per andCh1; 1st Br lateral and close to DTPresent, well developed extending over all PerGradually widening but not narrowing appreciably in anterior part of bodyShallow along entire bodyOnly weakly/diffuse stain on Per, distinct segmental bands which continue down whole body in some specimensA. maleficaProstomium pointed, triangularDT arise from junction of Per with Ch1; 1st Br lateral or slightly anterior to DT arising from junction.Present, well developed over the distal part of PerBody not widening appreciablyAbsentNo obvious patterns, diffuse staining on prostomium and peristomial region Key: Ch1= chaetiger 1; DT = dorsal tentacles; Per = peristomium; 1st Br. = first branchia; MGS = methyl green stain.