On the deep-sea Nephasoma species in the Eastern North Atlantic - a taxonomic guide

Sipuncula is a relatively species-poor phylum that can play a considerable role in soft sediment benthic ecosystems. The ecological and geochemical influence of sipunculans can vary between species. However, identification of sipunculan species is often problematic. This article focuses on sipunculans collected in the Nordic Seas belonging to the genus Nephasoma, a common genus in deep-water collections. A review of Nephasoma taxonomic descriptions in eastern North Atlantic waters and a key to identifying sipunculans found in the region of deep Nordic Seas is provided.