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

Two species of Pseudofabriciola Fitzhugh from the the Mediterranean Se a, P. analis sp. nov. and P.longipyga sp.nov., are described. These sp ecies most closely resemble P. australiensis (Hartmann-Schroder) and P . incisura Fitzhugh in that all have a membranous, anterior peristomia l ring collar which is distally Bared. Cladistic relationships among t he eight species in the genus are examined. Previous accounts of P.ana lis sp.nov. and P.longipyga sp.nov. in the Mediterranean have referred these species to Fabricia filamentosa Day (now P. filamentosa), the t ype locality of which is South Africa. The presumed occurrence of F. f ilamentosa in the Mediterranean has been explained as the result of Le ssepsian migrations from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. Such a conclu sion is shown to be unfounded, resulting from identifications based on ly on published descriptions without the examination of type material, as well as not considering all assumptions associated with a dispersa l hypothesis. The overall depth distribution of Pseudofabriciola is fa r greater than is seen in all other fabriciin genera, having been reco rded from depths ranging from the intertidal to 172 m. In addition, Ps eudofabriciola species appear to be more common in soft sediments rath er than on hard, often algal-covered substrates in which most fabricii ns are found.