The Diopatra chiliensis confusion - redescription of D-chiliensis (Polychaeta, Onuphidae) and implicated species

Diopatra chiliensis Quatrefages, 1865 is redescribed based on the presumed holotype and numerous specimens from Coronel, Chile north to Callao, Peru. The species displays a high degree of variability with respect to prostomial appendages, parapodial structures and setae. Diopatra rhizoicola Hartmann-Schroder, 1960 and D. heterodentata Hartmann-Schroder, 1965 from Peru and Chile are considered junior synonyms of D. chiliensis. FLU available specimens of previous records of D. chiliensis have been re-examined, most of which are referred to the following species: D. gesae, sp. n., D. kristiani, sp. n., D. obliqua Hartman, 1944 D. rhizophorae Grube, 1856, and D. sugokai Izuka, 1907. Diopatra bilobata Imajima, 1967 was found to be a junior synonym of D. sugokai, widely distributed Indo-Pacific species. The six species are described and illustrated, and their characteristics are compared in tabular form. A revised onuphid terminology of prostomial and parapodial features is also provided. (C) 1998 The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.