NEW SPECIES OF PSEUDOFABRICIOLA FITZHUGH, 1990 (POLYCHAETA, SABELLIDAE, FABRICIINAE), FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN-SEA

Two species of Pseudofabriciola Fitzhugh from the the Mediterranean Sea, P. analis sp. nov. and P.longipyga sp.nov., are described. These species most closely resemble P. australiensis (Hartmann-Schroder) and P. incisura Fitzhugh in that all have a membranous, anterior peristomial ring collar which is distally Bared. Cladistic relationships among the eight species in the genus are examined. Previous accounts of P.analis sp.nov. and P.longipyga sp.nov. in the Mediterranean have referred these species to Fabricia filamentosa Day (now P. filamentosa), the type locality of which is South Africa. The presumed occurrence of F. filamentosa in the Mediterranean has been explained as the result of Lessepsian migrations from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. Such a conclusion is shown to be unfounded, resulting from identifications based only on published descriptions without the examination of type material, as well as not considering all assumptions associated with a dispersal hypothesis. The overall depth distribution of Pseudofabriciola is far greater than is seen in all other fabriciin genera, having been recorded from depths ranging from the intertidal to 172 m. In addition, Pseudofabriciola species appear to be more common in soft sediments rather than on hard, often algal-covered substrates in which most fabriciins are found.