Benthic littoral "Sedentaria" of Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica)

The Polychaeta "Sedentaria" collected in Terra Nova Bap (Ross Sea) during t he Second Italian Oceanographic Antarctic Expedition (1989-90) have been st udied. A total of 1518 specimens have been examined and 43 species, belongi ng to 14 families, have been identified. A new species of Oweniidae, Myrioc hele antarctica and a new subspecies of Spionidae, Scolelepis eltaninae nud ipalpa are described. Terebellidae was the most important family in number of species, Spionidae, Oweniidae and Orbiniidae in number of individuals. M ore than 60% of the species are endemic to Antarctic and sub-Antarctic area s.