A new species of Perinereis Kinberg, 1865 (Annelida: Nereididae) and invalidation of two congeners from Western India Author Prajapat, Vaishali Marine Biodiversity and Ecology Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India Author Villalobos-Guerrero, Tulio F. Department of Marine Ecology, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, 22860, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico Author Vachhrajani, Kauresh D. Marine Biodiversity and Ecology Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India text Zootaxa 2023 2023-08-16 5330 3 398 412 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5330.3.4 journal article 10.11646/zootaxa.5330.3.4 1175-5326 8254837 2ABEA8CC-094A-4895-ACD1-39A78B455184 Key to species of Perinereis Kinberg, 1865 belonging to ‘ aibuhitensis ’ group 1. Ridges of area VI distally and sub-medially coalesced (areas VI-V-VI ridge pattern λ-shaped)......................... 2 - Ridges of area VI distally separated from each other (areas VI-V-VI ridge pattern π-shaped).......................... 5 2. Distal dorsal ligule distinctly short in posterior parapodia, projecting barely beyond notoaciculae............................................................................................... P. babuzai ( Hsueh, 2019 ) ( Taiwan) - Distal dorsal ligule of medium length in posterior parapodia, projecting distinctly beyond notoaciculae................. 3 3. Area VI with short bars (broad-petite bars); area II with paragnaths arranged in distinct crescentic rows; area III without laterally isolated paragnaths........................................... P. linea ( Treadwell, 1936 ) (Xiamen, China ) - Area VI with at least one long bar (smooth bar); area II with paragnaths arranged in oval patch; area III with laterally isolated paragnaths........................................................................................... 4 4. Area V with usually one paragnath (rarely none); area VI with long bars (smooth bars) only; distal region of dorsal ligule bluntly rounded in anterior parapodia; distal region of dorsal ligule projecting beyond median ligule in posterior parapodia................................................................... P. singaporiensis ( Grube, 1878 ) ( Singapore ) - Area V with usually three paragnaths (seldom 1–4); area VI with short and long bars (smooth and broad-petite bars); distal region of dorsal ligule conical in anterior parapodia; distal region of dorsal ligule subequal to median ligule in posterior parapodia....................... P. khambhatiensis Prajapat, Villalobos-Guerrero & Vachhrajani , sp. n. (Western India ) 5. Area VI with long bars (smooth bars); area III without laterally isolated paragnaths; areas VII–VIII with anterior band having a medial patch of many tiny paragnaths................... P. vancaurica ( Ehlers, 1868 ) ( Nicobar Islands , Andaman Sea) - Area VI with short bars (broad-petite bars); area III with distinct laterally isolated paragnaths; areas VII–VIII with anterior band lacking medial patch of tiny paragnaths.................................................................... 6 6. Areas VII–VIII with anterior band having only one furrow row................................................. 7 Areas VII–VIII with anterior band having two rows (one on furrows and one on ridges)............................. 9 7. Distal dorsal ligule not projecting beyond notoaciculae in medial and posterior parapodia; neuroacicular ligule extending markedly beyond median ligule in posterior parapodia; area III with 36 paragnaths........................................................................................... P. vitabunda ( Pflugfelder, 1933 ) ( Sumatra , Indonesia ) - Distal dorsal ligule markedly extending beyond end of notoaciculae throughout; neuroacicular ligule subequal to or slightly shorter than median ligule in posterior parapodia; area III with up to 31 paragnaths................................. 8 8. Ligules in anterior parapodia slender, acuminate; postero-dorsal tentacular cirri reaching chaetiger 2.................................................................................. P. kinmenensis ( Hsueh, 2019 ) (Kinmen, China ) - Ligules in anterior parapodia thickened with blunt tip; postero-dorsal tentacular cirri reaching chaetiger 4–5.................................................................................... P. aibuhitensis ( Grube, 1878 ) ( Palau ) 9. Neuroacicular ligule projecting markedly beyond ventral ligule in posterior parapodia; distal dorsal ligule shorter than median ligule throughout body; proximal dorsal ligule longer than distal dorsal ligule............................................................................................ P. belawanensis ( Pflugfelder, 1933 ) ( Sumatra , Indonesia ) - Neuroacicular ligule subequal to or slightly shorter than ventral ligule in posterior parapodia; distal dorsal ligule subequal to or barely shorter than median ligule throughout body; proximal dorsal ligule subequal or shorter than distal dorsal ligule.... 10 10. Area I: 7–8; area III: 48–65; area VII–VIII: 57–58; blade of heterogomph falcigers with incurved terminal tooth equaling half of total blade length; postero-dorsal tentacular cirri reaching chaetiger 3.... P. shigungensis ( Hsueh, 2019 ) (Shigung, Taiwan) - Area I : 1–3; area III: 18; area VII –VIII: 33; blade of heterogomph falcigers with incurved terminal tooth equaling one-third to two-fifths of total blade length; postero-dorsal tentacular cirri reaching chaetiger 1..................................................................... P. rookeri de León-González & Goethel, 2013 ( Florida , northern Gulf of Mexico )