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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.

Feeding, defecation, palp behaviour and motility of the tubicolous annelid, Magelona alleni were observed in a laboratory environment. Both surface deposit, and to a lesser extent, suspension feeding were exhibited, with the ingestion of sand grains, and of smaller amounts of foraminiferans and administered commercially available suspension. Predominantly sand could be seen moving through the gut, resulting in conspicuous defecation, not previously observed in other magelonid species. During this ‘sand expulsion’ behaviour, individuals turned around in a network of branched burrows. The posterior was extended from the burrow and substantial amounts of sand were expelled in a string-like formation, involving mucus. The posterior morphology of M. alleni differs greatly compared with other European magelonid species, in possessing a large terminal anus, likely related to its diet. In contrast to what has been recorded for other magelonids, M. alleni appears predominately non-selective. The current paper adds credence to the idea that multiple feeding modes exist within the family. Tube-lined burrows were observed to be primarily permanent, and motility of the species reduced in comparison to other magelonids. The differences noted between M. alleni and other species is most likely linked to its tubicolous lifestyle. The effect of environmental parameters on observed behaviours is discussed.

Shovelhead worms are common polychaetes around the British Isles and have been recorded in numerous ecological surveys. Yet, understanding of their habitat conditions is poor, based heavily on visual observations of sediments from historical records. In this study, the drivers of abundance and geographical distribution of two morphologically and behaviourally diverse species Magelona alleni and Magelona minuta are investigated by reanalysing sediment characteristics and depths from museum marine monitoring surveys. Although both species are historically associated with muddy sediments, the records herein suggest that M. alleni occurs in an extensive range of sediments, but is more abundant at localities with more than 25% sand. In comparison, M. minuta shows a negative linear relationship between grain diameter and abundance, corroborating previous work that the species is abundant in fine-grained mud. The depth records show that while M. alleni predominates below 60 m, M. minuta is a distinct offshore species. These differences may be attributed to the interspecific variation in morphology and motility between the species: M. alleni is stout and tube-dwelling, while M. minuta is fragile, small, and fairly motile. To corroborate these findings, sediment grains from tubes of M. alleni were classified using the Udden–Wentworth grain size scale and suggest sand is the key component for tube construction. Overall, this study highlights that sediment parameters for M. alleni have been misinterpreted and generalised in historical records, emphasising the importance of quantitative sediment analysis in defining the habitat of Magelona.

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.

A new species of Magelona is described based on collections from off Long Island, New York that are identical to an undescribed species reported by M. L. Jones (1968) from the vicinity of Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The species is herein named (M. brachypalpata, new species) and described. The new species belongs to the ‘Magelona mirabilis group,' possessing a rounded prostomium, lacking prostomial horns, and having specialized chaetae on chaetiger nine. The new species is most similar to M. riojai and M. sacculata, both of which are here redescribed. Additionally, a dichotomous identification key to the known magelonid species of the northeastern American coast and a worldwide pictorial identification key to the ‘M. mirabilis' group of magelonids are provided.

This study examined microplastic particles present in the benthic invertebrates Sternaspis scutata, Magelona cinta (deposit feeders) and Tellina sp. (suspension feeder) from the surface sediments of off-Kochi, southwest coast of India. The microplastic particles and thread-like fibres detected in these organisms were identified to be polystyrene by using DXR Raman microscope. Examination of the microplastic particle in Sternaspis scutata by epifluorescent microscopy showed fragmentation marks on the surface suggesting that the microplastic particle was degraded/weathered in nature. The study provides preliminary evidence of the presence of microplastics in benthic fauna from the coastal waters of India. However, further studies are required to understand the sources, distribution, fate and toxicity of the different types of microplastics in benthic invertebrates in order to identify any potential threats to higher trophic level organisms.

Shovel head worms (Annelida: Magelonidae) have long presented challenges to polychaete systematists due to their unique morphology and relative uniformity. This has been compounded by a lack of taxonomic work across key biogeographic regions. However, over the past few decades, a series of studies has progressively addressed these issues, refining our understanding of magelonid taxonomy and making taxonomic revisions of several regions. Whilst a standardised framework for morphological characters across the family has been produced, a worldwide review of taxonomic knowledge has been warranted. The information is herein presented alongside the first worldwide identification key in over 50 years. The much-needed key is presented in two formats: a dichotomous key divided by marine realms, and a pictorial key based on putative morphological groups. The key is additionally supplemented by the provision of an interactive map providing type locality data and links to taxonomic works. The pictorial key provides additional support for the unique terminology historically applied to the group. The genus Maea Johnston, 1865 is herein re-established for fifteen species possessing long rounded prostomia without horns, but possessing mucronate chaetae of the ninth chaetiger, and lateral abdominal pouches.

This study assessed the taxonomic statuses of three lesser-known Magelona F. Müller, 1858 species collected from intertidal to sublittoral habitats in Korean coastal waters, basing identification on morphological features and comparing them with their closest congeners. We present a comprehensive description and illustration of taxonomically significant and standardized characters, covering all thoracic chaetigers of three newly discovered Magelona species from Korea. Within the documented Korean Magelona species, these three species exhibit the following distinctive characteristics. Magelona sachalinensis Buzhinskaja, 1985, possess diminutive superior dorsal lobes in the initial four chaetigers and specialized chaetae on chaetiger 9; Magelona lenticulata Gallardo, 1968, is characterized by foliaceous postchaetal superior dorsal lobes in chaetigers 1–8; and Magelona cf. longicornis Johnson, 1901, is distinguished by notably elongated noto- and neuropodial postchaetal lamellae on chaetiger 9. Methyl green staining patterns showed species-specific characteristics and were confirmed to be effective in distinguishing the examined Korean species from each other and useful for making comparisons with previously reported Magelona species. Our study suggests that further comprehensive research on the morphological and genetic characteristics of Magelona species will enhance our understanding of their diversity.

Known as shovel head worms, members of Magelonidae comprise a group of polychaetes readily recognised by the uniquely shaped, dorso-ventrally flattened prostomium and paired ventro-laterally inserted papillated palps. The present study is the first published account of inferences of phylogenetic hypotheses within Magelonidae. Members of 72 species of Magelona and two species of Octomagelona were included, with outgroups including members of one species of Chaetopteridae and four of Spionidae. The phylogenetic inferences were performed to causally account for 176 characters distributed among 79 subjects, and produced 2,417,600 cladograms, each with 404 steps. A formal definition of Magelonidae is provided, represented by a composite phylogenetic hypothesis explaining seven synapomorphies: shovel-shaped prostomium, prostomial ridges, absence of nuchal organs, ventral insertion of palps and their papillation, presence of a burrowing organ, and unique body regionation. Octomagelona is synonymised with Magelona due to the latter being paraphyletic relative to the former. The consequence is that Magelonidae is monotypic, such that Magelona cannot be formally defined as associated with any phylogenetic hypotheses. As such, the latter name is an empirically empty placeholder, but because of the binomial name requirement mandated by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, the definition is identical to that of Magelonidae. Several key features for future descriptions are suggested: prostomial dimensions, presence/absence of prostomial horns, morphology of anterior lamellae, presence/absence of specialised chaetae, and lateral abdominal pouches. Additionally, great care must be taken to fully describe and illustrate all thoracic chaetigers in descriptions.

Three species of polychaetes Magelona falcifera, Polyophthalmus zhadanae , and Ophelina grandis were recorded for the first time from the Indian coast. The species were collected from the intertidal to 5 km distance from the coastline of Palk Bay, Bay of Bengal. The diagnostic features and distributional records of the new recorded species are provided, with an updated checklist of polychaete species from Palk Bay.