State of Taxonomic Knowledge of Benthic Polychaetes of Continental Ecuador

Abstract

The aim of this study is to provide an update on the knowledge of benthic polychaetes recorded in continental Ecuador. A review of the available information of species recorded from 1865 to 2020 was carried out, from which the number of genera and species by families was obtained, providing a list of benthic polychaetes for the country. A total of 143 species have been reported, 20 of those have been previously recorded with their synonymy. There is a significant increase in the biodiversity of polychaetes for the country and its taxonomy has had many controversies, which is reflected in some families. It is mentioned that the Gulf of Guayaquil is the area where the greater number of records of polychaetes have been found. With the new technologies and availability of information, this data could be increased, it is necessary to consider the biogeographic distribution of the species for a better identification, in addition, with the help of DNA analysis and specialists´opinion, this would allow to carry out a viable update on taxonomic knowledge of polychaete species for the country.