A new species and new records of Magelona (Annelida: Magelonidae) from Chabahar Bay, Gulf of Oman, South-eastern Iran

The infauna of Chabahar Bay (Iranian Coast of the Gulf of Oman) was investigated using shallow water (less than 10 m) grab-samples between June 2013 and March 2014. The magelonid fauna of these samples was studied and prioritized, with four species being present: M. fauchaldi sp. nov., M. symmetrica, M. cf. cincta and M. crenulifrons. The new species differs from all known magelonid species within the Persian Gulf region in possessing polydentate abdominal hooks. A fifth species, currently undescribed, was also found. The validity of M. pulchella originally described from Kuwait is discussed in light of its closeness to M. crenulifrons. The main distinguishing feature between the two species is the presence or absence of crenulation of the anterior prostomial margin, a character shown to be variable in M. crenulifrons. Although differences between the type specimens of both species suggests M. pulchella to be a valid species, examination of further material and DNA analysis is needed.