Synelmis Chamberlin, 1919

Salazar-Vallejo, Sergio I. & León-González, J. Angel De, 2025, Additional new species of marine annelids from Clipperton Island (Nereididae: Pilargidae: Sabellariidae), European Journal of Taxonomy 1026, pp. 1-29 : 10-11

Genus Synelmis Chamberlin, 1919

Synelmis Chamberlin, 1919: 177 .

Synelmis – Salazar-Vallejo 2003: 21 .

Type species

Synelmis simplex Chamberlin, 1919 , by original designation (junior synonym of Ancistrosyllis rigida Fauvel, 1919 fide Salazar-Vallejo 2003: 34).

Remarks

Synelmis includes pilargids with a thin, muscular body, with a thick cuticle, and many segments. Their shiny integument and consistency resemble those found in nematodes, but the presence of parapodia easily separates them from each other. As indicated in the key below, the species can be sorted out after some morphological features, especially regarding the insertion of lateral antenna, the size of median antenna, the presence and number of eyes, the start of notospines, and the shape and size of parapodial cirri. The presence of pigmented glands along the body can be useful to separate similar species.

Distribution

The species of Synelmis thrive in shallow to continental shelf substrates, in mixed or sandy bottoms, in tropical to temperate localities throughout the world.