Diopatra Audouin and Milne Edwards (Polychaeta: Onuphidae) from Australia, with a discussion of developmental patterns in the genus

Abstract

This study recognizes nine Australian species of Diopatra Audouin and Milne Edwards, of which six are newly described.A key to adults and descriptions of all species are provided.The variability and size-dependency of two diagnostic characters (extent of the branchial region and first occurrence of subacicular hooks) are analyzed.Ob.servations on reproduction and development are presented for eight species, including the description of larvae of one species.Analysis of all available information for the genus allows the identification of four developmental patterns ranging from brooding in the parental tube to presumed broadcast spawning.