Polychaetes of the Coral Triangle: Told and Untold Richness

Cirilo  Ybanez Jr; Nonillon Aspe

doi:10.58837/tnh.24.1.258537

Authors

Cirilo Ybanez Jr , City of MFaculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Davao Oriental State Universityati 8200, Davao Oriental, PHILIPPINES: College of Marine and Allied Sciences, Mindanao State University at Naawan, Naawan 9023, Misamis Oriental, PHILIPPINES
Nonillon Aspe College of Marine and Allied Sciences, Mindanao State University at Naawan, Naawan 9023, Misamis Oriental, PHILIPPINES

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58837/tnh.24.1.258537

Keywords:

Coral Triangle, Ecoregions, Philippines, Polychaetes, species diversity

Abstract

This paper comprehensively reviews polychaete species in the Coral Triangle (CT), documenting 750 species across 60 families. The Philippines stands out for the highest species diversity, reflecting more extensive exploration than in other ecoregions. Limited publications in specific regions result from heightened sampling needs and taxonomic expertise. Nereididae and Syllidae, each constituting 11% of the total, are prominent polychaete families, alongside others like Polynoidae, Terebellidae, Eunicidae, Spionidae, and Sigalionidae. The genus Syllis is the most speciose, contributing 4% to the overall tally. Since 1750, polychaete species and publication numbers in the CT show an upward trend, reaching its peak from 2000 to the present. Increased marine biodiversity awareness, using SCUBA diving and ROVs, and advanced technology for species identification have significantly contributed to the continuous increase in recorded species. Despite these advancements, polychaetes in the CT remain relatively understudied compared to other taxa, underscoring the need for additional focused research on polychaetes within the region.

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