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Type: Article
Published: 2026-07-03
Page range: 87-105
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The first new species of Oxydromus (Annelida: Hesionidae) from the China Seas

National Observation and Research Station for the Taiwan Strait Marine Ecosystem; Xiamen University; Zhangzhou 363000; Fujian; China; College of Ocean and Earth Sciences; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361102; China
North China Sea Forecasting and Mitigation Center; The Ministry of Natural Resources; Qingdao 266061; China
Comprehensive Technology Service Center of Quanzhou Customs; Quanzhou 362000; China
Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics; Second Institute of Oceanography; Ministry of Natural Resources; Hangzhou 310012; China
National Observation and Research Station for the Taiwan Strait Marine Ecosystem; Xiamen University; Zhangzhou 363000; Fujian; China; College of Ocean and Earth Sciences; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361102; China
National Observation and Research Station for the Taiwan Strait Marine Ecosystem; Xiamen University; Zhangzhou 363000; Fujian; China; College of Ocean and Earth Sciences; Xiamen University; Xiamen 361102; China
Annelida distribution genetic distance morphology phylogeny Polychaeta

Abstract

Oxydromus chinensis sp. nov., a new hesionid species collected from Fujian Province, China, was established based on both morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The new species is characterized by having no pigmentation on the body dorsum, double aciculae in both notopodia and neuropodia, and unidentate neuropodial chaetae with partly curved distal ends. Multigene phylogenetic analysis based on five genes (COI, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and histone H3) supports the independent status of the new species. The partial gene sequences of COI diverged from those of the nearest relative species of Oxydromus in GenBank and BOLD Systems by 22.7%. An updated key to Oxydromus species is provided.

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How to Cite

Jiang, Q., Ji, Y., Li, C., Zhou, Y., Wang, B. & Wang, Z. (2026) The first new species of Oxydromus (Annelida: Hesionidae) from the China Seas. Zootaxa, 5845 (1), 87–105. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5845.1.4