taxonID	type	description	language	source
7C3887ECFFFCFFBFAACDF8C9FE01AF99.taxon	type_taxon	Type species: Loimia medusa Savigny 1822, by monotypy	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFFCFFBFAACDF8C9FE01AF99.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (after Hutchings et al. 2021). Transverse prostomium attached to dorsal surface of upper lip, thick crested basal part, eye spots present or absent. Peristomium restricted to lips, short button-like upper lip, and a mid-ventral lower lip. Well-developed lateral lobes on segments 1, 3, and sometimes 4. Three pairs of arborescent branchiae on segments 2 – 4. Notopodia from segment 4 to segment 20. Neuropodia from segment 5 to pygidium. Neurochaetae as short-handled uncini throughout, initially arranged in single rows, then in double rows in back-to-back arrangement (partially intercalated to separate double rows) from segment 11 to 20, then in single rows to pygidium. Uncini with high pectinate crest and several minute lateral teeth. Nephridial papillae on segment 3, genital papillae on segments 6 – 8, inserted posterior to notopodia. Pygidium smooth to papillate.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFFDFFB7AACDFE61FECDABA9.taxon	description	Figs 1 A, D; 2 A – B; 3; 4	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFFDFFB7AACDFE61FECDABA9.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype: AM W. 55132, complete, South Pacific, French Polynesia, Society Islands, Moorea, Tiahura transect, 17.48 ° S, 149.83 ° W, collected P. A. Hutchings, by SCUBA on fringing reef, under coral bommie, 1.5 m, 4 th Dec 1992. Paratypes: AM W. 55131, complete, South Pacific, French Polynesia, Moorea, east of Lac Temaie, 17.48 ° S, 149.75 ° W, collected P. A. Hutchings, by SCUBA on fringing reef, under coral bommie, 20 m, 27 th Oct 1987, some parapodia mounted for SEM; NTM W 029897, South Pacific, French Polynesia, Society Islands, Moorea, Motu Iti, 17.54 ° S, 149.77 ° W, collected C. J. Glasby & I. Glasby, 11 th Dec 2010, in coral rubble, some parapodia of posterior body used for molecular analyses.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFFDFFB7AACDFE61FECDABA9.taxon	description	Description. Holotype: AM W. 55132, complete, 350 mm in length (excluding buccal tentacles), 12 mm maximum width, with about 195 abdominal segments, posterior segments very compacted, plus tube. Paratypes: AM W. 55131, complete, 160 mm in length (excluding buccal tentacles) and 7 mm maximum width, with about 200 abdominal segments, posterior segments very compacted, plus tube; NTM W 29897, posteriorly incomplete, with 17 pairs of notopodia and 25 abdominal segments, 7 mm in length, 2.5 mm in width, buccal tentacles completely detached but retained in a vial. No material gravid. Live animals with both short and long buccal tentacles with transverse reddish bands in addition to many smaller bright white spots (Fig. 2 A, B), white glandular patches between parapodia, and bright red branchiae (Fig. 2 A), these glandular spots also visible on preserved specimens (Fig. 3 A). All preserved material pale yellow lacking pigmentation patterns. Transverse prostomium attached to dorsal surface of upper lip, basal part lacking eyespots, distal part shelf-like. Peristomium forming lips, hood-like upper lip with crenulated margins and longitudinal lines along lip, lower lip swollen, rectangular, faintly tessellated, with a distal groove (Fig. 3 B). Three pairs of branchiae with numerous short stout dichotomous branches arising from short, stout main stalk, all ringed, terminating in numerous compact terminal branches (Figs 2 A; 3 A, C – D), 1 st pair inserted slightly more dorsally than vertically aligned 2 nd and 3 rd branchiae uniformly shortening from 1 st to 3 rd. Nephridial papilla not seen on segment 3, presumably hidden by contracted branchiae. Genital papillae on segments 6 and 7, small, inserted at postero-ventral base of notopodia (Fig. 3 C). Lateral lobes on segments 1 and 3. Segment 1 reduced dorsally with large oval-shaped glandular lobes with thinner anterior margins, connected mid ventrally by narrow short glandular band, lobes extending almost to mid ventrum (Fig. 3 B). Segment 2 narrow and covered by lateral lobes of segment 3. Smaller specimen (NTM W 029897) with longer mid- ventral band and lateral lobes much smaller relatively (Figs 2 A; 3 E – F). Segment 3 with lateral lobes which extend dorsally covering base of branchiae forming a flag-like extension split into two lobes dorso-laterally with thinner curled anterior margins; ventral lobe terminates at margins of ventral pads (Fig. 3 B); smaller specimen (NTM W 029897) with less well-developed dorsal extension, but all specimens have a distinct mid-lobe keel running almost entire length of the lobe (Figs 2 A; 3 E, F). Segment 4 with no lateral lobes. Dorsum smooth. Ventral pads well developed and segmentally demarcated from segments 2 – 19, those from segments 2 – 12 rectangular, glandular; each pad with numerous longitudinal lines, extending to neuropodial margins, 1 st slightly larger than subsequent ones (Fig. 3 B), after segment 12, pads shortening to last notopodial segment. Mid ventral abdominal groove absent (Fig. 3 G). * based on Australian material, species complex ** sequences from type locality *** sequences not from type locality Loimia ingens described by Grube, 1878 — Bohol syntype in Berlin- Q 4969 was seen in a jar by Glasby in 1986, but in 1987 when we requested type material from the Museum this was not included in the loan of material of other Grube’s species L. annulifilis (MPW — type and non-type material 2 MB 920); L. crassifilis (MPW 309 — type and probably non type material 2 MB Q 5635); L. montagui (MPW 404); L. variegata (MPW — type and non-type material 2 MB Q 4968, 2 MB 522, 2 MB 519)] has been examined and all is in poor condition. but not of L. ingens ” Anterior notopodia and neuropodia forming single structure (Fig. 3 A, C, D), with neuropodia as raised glandular ridges becoming more prominent posteriorly. Notochaetae all simple capillaries with finely serrated margins, arranged in two graded tiers, with shorter ones about 2 / 3 – 3 / 4 length of longer ones; notochaetae with faint microtexture visible under SEM (Fig. 4 A, B). Neuropodia with uncini arranged in single straight rows from segments 5 – 10, then in double rows back-to-back from segments 11 – 20 (Fig. 4 G), then in single rows on all abdominal segments. Thoracic pectinate uncini with six teeth with the main fang, 5 + 1 visible under SEM (Fig. 4 C, D); distal-most one not visible under light microscopy (Fig. 4 G). Abdominal uncini with 5 + 1 pectinate teeth visible under both SEM and light microscopy (Fig. 4 E, F, H). Subrostral process low, rounded (Fig. 4 G, H). Abdominal neuropodia well developed, with elongate, rectangular raised glandular podia, with uncini arranged in straight rows, shortening far posteriorly (Fig. 4 H). Pygidium lacking anal cirri, margins crenulated, divided into numerous small, compact lobes (Fig. 3 G). Tube composed of shell fragments and coral rubble attached to thin mucous layer (Fig. 3 H). Variation. Paratype NTM W 029897 is 7 mm in length (far posterior removed for molecular) and 2.5 mm with 45 segments compared to the holotype which is 350 mm in length (excluding buccal tentacles), 12 mm maximum width, with about 195 abdominal segments. The smaller paratype came from the mid-east coast of Moorea, whereas the holotype was found on its mid north coast, both only about 10 km apart following the coastline. Paratype AM W. 55131 was collected about halfway between these two locations. Although the smaller NTM paratype differs from the holotype in the extent of the lateral lobe development – the holotype has a pronounced basal ridge on lateral lobes of segment 3 and glandular patches (Fig. 3 E, F), both specimens exhibit banded buccal tentacles [lost upon fixation (Fig. 2 A)], the glandular patches are less marked in preserved specimens (Fig. 3 B)] and have a ridge or flange postero-ventrally on lateral lobe 3, albeit very small in the paratype. Loimia davidi Martin, Capa, Martinez & Costa (2022, table 2) exhibited size-related differences in the development and extent of lateral lobes (Martin et al. 2022), which agrees with the variation exhibited by the small and a large individuals of L. aimehoensis sp. nov., supporting the proposition that some morphological characters change slightly in shape and dimensions as individuals grow. Such variation is rarely discussed when new polychaete species are described, as typically a range of different sized individuals is not available.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFFDFFB7AACDFE61FECDABA9.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species name refers to the type locality in the Tahitian language. Aimeho was the island’s former name before it became Moorea, based on variants of the oral language.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFFDFFB7AACDFE61FECDABA9.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality. French Polynesia, Society Islands, Moorea, fringing reef.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFFDFFB7AACDFE61FECDABA9.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Known only from NE Moorea. Habitat. Associated with dead coral substrates on the fringing reefs from 1 – 10 m depth.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFFDFFB7AACDFE61FECDABA9.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Loimia aimehoensis sp. nov., is characterised by having banded buccal tentacles and white spots, and white patches between parapodia; smooth dorsum and ventrum; large lateral oval-shaped lateral lobes on segment 1 and segment 3 with lobes with a dorsal flag-like extension (Table 2). We discuss how this new species can be distinguished from other species in the region, including L. poraporaensis sp. nov., in the Remarks of this latter new species.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFF5FFA8AACDFA71FD56AEE1.taxon	description	Figs 1 A, B, D; 2 C; 5; 6	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFF5FFA8AACDFA71FD56AEE1.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype: AM W. 51451, complete, some parapodia mounted for SEM, tissue sample taken for DNA studies, South Pacific, French Polynesia, Bora-Bora, 16.505 ° S, 151.75 ° W, collected P. A. Hutchings, by scuba in lagoon, 10 m, under dead Acropora spp. plate coral, Jan 2015. Additional material examined: UF 005528, Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, off N tip of Mokapu base, 3 – 6 m outer reef slope, 21.76 ° N, 158.00 ° W, collected 30 th May 2017, BKON- 2120 KANI- 080 (Fig. 2 C), some parapodia used for molecular analyses.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFF5FFA8AACDFA71FD56AEE1.taxon	description	Description. Holotype complete, in two pieces, broken while extracting from flimsy tube made of pieces of coralline algae. Anterior part 75 mm in length and 12 mm in width (excluding buccal tentacles), with 17 pairs of notopodia plus 23 segments only with neuropodia; posterior part 130 mm in length, maximum width 5 mm with 97 segments, all with neuropodia. Posterior segments highly contracted. Pygidium circular, with glandular margins with slight indentations; anal papillae absent (Fig. 5 F). Preserved holotype yellowish, lacking pigmentation, with numerous buccal tentacles, most detached. Additional material complete, pinkish, 110 mm in length, maximum width 9 mm, excluding buccal tentacles. Both specimens robust and compact. Numerous deeply grooved buccal tentacles; short thin ones with reddish-purple bands, longer and thicker ones white (Figs 2 C; 5 A – E). Ventral pads on live animal dark red, suggesting rich blood supply (Fig. 2 C). Pigmentation patterns lost after preservation. Transverse prostomium attached to dorsal surface of upper lips, basal part lacking eye spots on both specimens. Peristomium forming lips; upper lip expanded, recurved and glandular; lower lip small and rectangular. Three pairs of branchiae on segments 2 – 4, with short ridged main stem decreasing in length from 1 st to 3 rd pair, with numerous short branches, not aligned longitudinally, those on segment 2 inserted more dorsally than those on segment 3; 3 rd pair still more ventral (Fig. 5 C – E). Nephridial papilla not seen on segment 3, presumably hidden by contracted branchiae. Genital papillae on segments 6 and 7, small, inserted posterior to base of notopodia. Neither specimens are gravid. Dorsum smooth, with anteriorly transverse lines with weak vertical lines visible (Fig. 5 C). Segment 1 reduced dorsally, partially obscured by branchiae. Lateral lobes on segments 1 and 3 (Fig. 5 B – D). Segment 1 with large, rectangular, glandular, elongate lateral lobes inserted more ventro-laterally than those on segment 3, margins slightly convoluted and thinner, connected across ventrum by raised narrow glandular ridge (Fig. 5 B). Segment 2 very narrow, covered laterally by lateral lobes of segment 3. Segment 3 with discrete lateral lobes, large elongate, rectangular with thinner convoluted anterior margins connected across ventrum. Segment 4 lacking lateral lobes (Fig. 5 B – D). Ventral pads on segments 3 – 13 smooth, connected to raised glandular thoracic neuropodia, becoming more discrete and separated from neuropodia for rest of thorax after chaetiger 10, decreasing in width posteriorly; each pad divided into two by transverse line, each part with numerous vertical lines. Lacking mid-ventral streak or groove along both posterior thorax and abdominal segments (Fig. 5 B). Margins of buccal tentacles and notopodia Methyl Green stained, but not along ventrum (Fig. 5 A) and along margins of lateral lobes. Abdomen robust, with each segment well demarcated with slightly raised and slightly darker pigmented bands giving an almost striped pattern in vivo (Fig. 2 C) and also clearly visible on fixed material (Fig. 5 F). Notopodia from segment 4, 17 pairs; 1 st pair aligned slightly more ventrally than subsequent ones, similarly aligned and of similar size, inserted at lateral margins of neuropodia, but forming a separate structure; all rounded and glandular, with pre- and post-chaetal lobes of similar size (Fig. 5 C, D). Notochaetae all simple capillaries with finely serrated margins, arranged in two graded tiers with shorter ones about ½ length of longer ones; notochaetae lacking microtexture visible under SEM (Fig. 6 A – B). Neuropodia from segment 5 to pygidium; 1 st slightly shorter than all subsequent thoracic ones, slightly raised glandular with uncini arranged along entire length of podia. Neurochaetae initially arranged in single straight rows, then in double row back-to-back from segments 11 – 20, then again in single rows until body end. Thoracic uncini with 4 + 1 pectinate teeth (Fig. 6 C, D, G) and faint lateral striations. Abdominal neuropodia much shorter than thoracic neuropodia, becoming more elevated, as elongate rectangular structures, then less elevated toward posterior end, with far posterior ones almost sessile (Fig. 5 F); uncini arranged in slightly curved row (Fig. 6 E), with 4 + 1 pectinate teeth (Fig. 6 F, H). Tube made of coral fragments, foraminiferans and calcareous fragments cemented together by a mucus sheath (Fig. 2 C), as seen in holotype and additional material. Variation. Additional material from Hawaii closely resembles the holotype, with a very conspicuous blood-red anterior ventral pads and some banded buccal tentacles in live animal (Fig. 2 C). Given the geographical distance, we have not nominated the Hawaiian material as a paratype. However, COI sequences and morphology are very similar (Fig. 9), so we are confident that both specimens represent the same species.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFF5FFA8AACDFA71FD56AEE1.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species name refers to the type locality in the Tahitian language. Porapora (or Pōpora) was the island’s former name before it became Bora-Bora.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFF5FFA8AACDFA71FD56AEE1.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality. Lagoon at Bora-Bora, Society Islands, French Polynesia.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFF5FFA8AACDFA71FD56AEE1.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Bora-Bora, French Polynesia and Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Habitat. Associated with living plates of Acropora spp., on patch reefs within the reef lagoon at 10 m depth.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFF5FFA8AACDFA71FD56AEE1.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Loimia poraporaensis sp. nov., is characterised by having a smooth dorsum and lateral lobes only on segments 1 and 3, which are compact without any dorsal flag-like extension. Live worms have both thin buccal tentacles with reddish- purple bands and thick buccal tentacles which are white, but this pigmentation is lost after preservation. It can be separated from L. aimehoensis sp. nov., which has buccal tentacles with transverse reddish bands and many small white spots when alive; lateral lobes on segments 1 and 3, those on segment 1 large semi-circular glandular lobes connected mid ventrally (Fig. 3 B) and those on segment 3 extending dorsally to cover bases of branchiae and with a flag-like extension, and terminating laterally at margins of ventral pads and ventral pads well developed and segmentally demarcated from segment 2 to 19. They also differ in the dentition of thoracic uncini being 4 + 1 in L. poraporaensis sp. nov., and 5 + 1 for L. aimehoensis sp. nov., and in the notochaetae. The two tiers of notochaetae differ less in length in L. aimehoensis sp. nov., (shorter ones about 2 / 3 - 3 / 4 length of longer ones vs. shorter ones about ½ length) vs L. poraporaensis sp. nov., (shorter ones about ½ length). This latter character has rarely been used to distinguish species of Loimia but may be useful, along with other morphometric and meristic chaetal characters. The lack of bright white spots on the buccal tentacles of L. poraporaensis sp. nov., whereas they are present in L. aimehoensis sp. nov., is another character which has not previously been reported, although many descriptions lack details of colouration of tentacles. The lack of any dorsal tubercles clearly separates the two new species (L. aimehoensis sp. nov. and L. poraporaensis sp. nov.) from L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015, L. keablei Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015, and L. verrucosa (Caullery, 1944), all inhabiting coral-reef habitats except for the latter, which was collected at Saleyer-anchorage [Selayar Island, off Sumatra], Indonesia by dredge at 36 m depth, likely among coral patches (Table 2). Loimia triloba Hutchings & Glasby, 1988 was also collected from muddy to medium coarse sands associated with inter-reefal habitats on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland and also lacks dorsal tubercles (Table 2). The two new species both lack lateral lobes on segment 4, a character shared with L. lanai Hutchings, Daffe, Flaxman, Rouse & Lavesque, 2024, L. ochracea (Grube, 1877), L. batilla Hutchings & Glasby, 1988, L. ingens (Grube, 1878) and perhaps L. nigrifilis Caullery, 1944 although Caullery does not illustrate any lateral lobes, and his description does not mention any on segment 4 (Table 2). Several species included in Table 2 have fairly vague descriptions with limited figures, such as L. ingens (Grube, 1878), L. nigrifilis Caullery, 1944; L. ochracea (Grube, 1877) and L. verrucosa Caullery, 1944; thus, further research is required to allow more precise comparisons. The description of L. ingens is based on material described by Hutchings & Glasby (1988) based on Australian material and not from the type locality. Loimia lanai has a lateral lobe on segment 3 with a dorsal flag-like extension, similar to L. aimehoensis sp. nov., but has a mid-ventral groove on the abdomen which is absent in the latter species. Loimia batilla and L. ingens have lateral lobes on segments 1, 2 and 3, whereas all the other species in Table 2, have them only on segments 1 and 3. Loimia batilla has large scoop-like lobes on segment 1 whereas L. aimehoensis sp. nov., has large oval-shaped lobes and L. poraporaensis sp. nov., has large rounded lobes with thickened margins connected mid ventrally by a narrow ridge. Other species, such as L. juani Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015 and L. pseudotriloba Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015, have lateral lobes on segments, 1, 3 and 4 unlike our two new species. Loimia nigrifilis has the first pair of branchiae with spirally arranged branches, instead of dichotomously as in L. poraporaensis sp. nov. and L. aimehoensis sp. nov. However, having only illustrations of the posterior end (with an attached copepod) and an uncinus (Caullery, 1944), it is difficult to compare it with other species with lateral lobes on segments 1 and 3. We assume that the reference to lateral lobes on segment 2 actually refers to those on segment 1, and while the lobes on segment 3 are described as very large, there are no descriptions of lobe shape or extent. This author also described a white glandular band that surrounds the base of branchiae and the first 6 – 7 notopodia, as well as very long buccal tentacles with transverse annulations and dark, almost black bands. The holotype of Terebella ochracea Grube (1877), a species from Mermaid Cove in Western Australia currently accepted as Loimia ochracea (Grube, 1877) (Read & Fauchald, 2024), is in poor condition, but shows lateral lobes only on segments 1 and 3 (Hutchings & Glasby, 1988). Further analyses of numerous specimens from both Western Australia and the Northern Territory — all from intertidal to shallow sub-tidal muddy and sandy sediments, confirmed the presence of lateral lobes only on segments 1 and 3 and the absence of any tubercles (Hutchings 1997) which clearly separate this species from our two new ones. Loimia ochracea has all branchiae aligned in a vertical row, whereas both L. aimehoensis sp. nov., and L. poraporaensis sp. nov., do not have their branchiae vertically aligned. Other species described from adjacent to the study region include Loimia macrobranchia Wang, Sui, Kou & Li, 2020 described from the South China Sea. Although the description does not provide habitat data, the region is considered to be too far north for extensive coral reefs and, therefore, not compared or discussed further. In comparison, L. bandera Hutchings, 1990 was described from dredged soft sediment from Hong Kong harbour, similar to the habitat of L. triloba, which we consider inter-reefal; therefore, both species are included in the key below. Finally, colour patterns can be useful for distinguishing between species, although this character has not been recorded for most of the species listed in Table 2.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFEAFFA8AACDFEB9FD60A8BA.taxon	description	Figs 1 A, C; 2 D; 7	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFEAFFA8AACDFEB9FD60A8BA.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Australia: AM W. 52885, Queensland, Lizard Island, North Point, 14.64 ° S, 145.45 ° E, collected, P. A. Hutchings, 27 Sep 2016; AM W. 54517, W. 54516, Heron Island, Wistari reef, 23.39055 ° S, 151.90 ° E, collected P. A Hutchings & M. Capa, 23 Nov 2009; Western Australia, Exmouth, WAM V 12218, 21.826230 ° S, 114.183081 ° E, collected Glen Whisson, October 2024. Papua New Guinea: AM W. 54020, AM W. 54021, Baudisson Bay, 2.74 ° S, 150.66 ° E, collected 13 th March 2016, tissue sample taken for DNA studies; MNHN IA- 2017 - 3587, Papua New Guinea, Madang, 5.15 ° S, 145.83 ° E, collected, G. Rouse, Dec 2012, tissue sample taken for DNA studies. MNHN _ IA _ 2022 _ 2095, New Caledonia, Noumea lagoon, March 2024, 22.35 ° S, 166.31 ° E, collected S. Hourdez, tissue sample taken for DNA studies.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFEAFFA8AACDFEB9FD60A8BA.taxon	description	Description. Live material pale to reddish anteriorly, with dark stripes at intersegmental grooves and discontinuous bands of dark pigmentation: body greenish after mid body; buccal tentacles pale pink, with pairs of dark pink spots all along their length (Fig. 2 D). Rings of white tubercles from segment 5 to posterior end (Figs 1 A, C; 2 D; 7 A – E). Dark pigmentation pattern retained in preserved material (Fig. 7 A – E). Large lateral lobes on segments 1 and 3 (Fig. 7 A, B). Ventral pads on segments 2 – 15, last one poorly developed, those of segments 2 – 4 almost completely fused to form a single crenulated structure, subsequent pads initially rectangular, becoming trapezoidal posteriorly (Fig. 7 A).	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFEAFFA8AACDFEB9FD60A8BA.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The species was originally described from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, 14 ° 39 ’ 25 ” S, 145 ° 28 ’ 22 ” E, and from the Outer Barrier Yonge Reef, 14 ° 34 ’ 20 ” S, 145 ° 36 ’ 53 ” E, in 2015, based only on morphology, with photos of live animals showing the characteristic colouration (Fig. 2 D) and the white tubercles spread out over anterior to posterior segments, with this dark colour pattern being retained after fixation. Later, additional samples from the type locality, Heron Island (southern Great Barrier Reef), Madang and Baudisson Bay (Papua New Guinea), Exmouth (Western Australia) and New Caledonia were preserved for morphological and DNA analyses, allowing us to extend its distribution range. A photo of this species from Exmouth (NW Australia) is available at the iNaturalist website (https: // www. inaturalist. org / observations / 215910927) and was confirmed examining the specimen (WAM V 12218) and sequencing it. Interestingly, this species has not been recorded from the Darwin region, where L. ochracea (Grube, 1877), a species associated with highly turbid coral reefs, is common. This may likely reflect the different habitat preferences of these two species, with L. tuberculata being instead associated with clear-water coral reefs, where it occurs under plates of living Acropora spp. or at the base of coral bommies, with their long-grooved feeding tentacles extending out over the substrate.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFEAFFA8AACDFEB9FD60A8BA.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality. Australia, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island, reef on northwest side of North Direction Island.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
7C3887ECFFEAFFA8AACDFEB9FD60A8BA.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Tropical West Pacific, Northern and Southern GBR, and north western Australia. Habitat. Associated with coral habitats.	en	Hutchings, Pat, Daffe, Guillemine, Glasby, Christopher, Lavesque, Nicolas (2025): Spaghetti worms from the reef: two new species of Loimia (Polychaeta: Terebellidae) from Bora-Bora and Moorea (Society Islands, French Polynesia) and a range extension of L. tuberculata Nogueira, Hutchings & Carrerette, 2015. Zootaxa 5583 (2): 328-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5583.2.6
