Horizontal distribution pattern of the syllid fauna (Annelida : Polychaeta) in the fringing reef lagoon of Anse Forbans (Seychelles, Mahe) and redescription of the abundant Streptosyllis aequiseta

Abstract

The species composition and diversity of benthic meiofaunal communities inhabiting the fringing reef lagoon of Anse Forbans were studied during two field collections in the years 1999 and 2000. The Anse Forbans is a sandy beach, on the SE coast of Mahe, which shows a physical and biological zonation parallel to the shore. The meiofauna in the sediments of the zones was dominated by polychaetes, especially the Syllidae. Thirty-three different syllid species belonging to sixteen generic taxa were identified. Streptosyllis aequiseta Hartmann-Schroder,1981, one of the most abundant species and widely distributed within the reef flat, is redescribed.