Two new species of Cirratulidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the southern coast of Italy

WOS: 000382003800018During several surveys conducted along the Ionian coast of Italy, specimens belonging to two species of the genera Monticellina and Protocirrineris were collected and described as new species in the present study. Protocirrineris purgamentorum sp. nov., collected from hard bottom near a sewage outfall, is mainly characterized by having branchiae commencing from the anteriormost tentacle-bearing chaetiger. Monticellina marypetersenae sp. nov., found in muddy sediments of the Gulf of Taranto, is unique among its congeners by having the first pair of branchiae arising anteriorly from the dorsal tentacles, notopodia with only capillaries, and four peristomial rings