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A new species of Diopatra (Annelida, Onuphidae) from Akanda National Park in Gabon (West Africa).
Une nouvelle espèce deDiopatra (Annelida, Onuphidae) du parc national d'Akanda au Gabon (Afrique de l'Ouest).

EN – Recent ecological surveys were conducted in Akanda National Park, Gabon. These studies aimed to assess the impact of urbanization on the Libreville estuarine ecosystem and to document its benthic biodiversity. A new species of Diopatra was discovered and recorded in various habitats, including mangroves. This species is described in detail, illustrated, and its genetic information (16S gene) is provided. Indeed, Diopatra ariasi sp. nov. is a new species of medium-sized marine worm belonging to the Diopatra neapolitana group. It is distinguished by a set of unique characteristics:
  • Head/Antennas: Possesses complex antennae with long segmented supports (9–12 ring ceratophores) and lobes below the mouth;
  • Sense: Includes semi-circular sensory buds;
  • Respiration: The respiratory organs (gills) are spiral-shaped and begin at the 4th or 5th body segments;
Body segments:
  • The first segments have hooked and compound bristles (falcigers) with two points;
  • The middle segments have comb-like bristles (11–15 teeth);
  • The segments further back (from the 15th or 18th) have internal double-pointed hooks.


FR –  Des inventaires écologiques récents ont eu lieu au parc national d'Akanda, au Gabon. Ces études avaient pour but d'évaluer l'impact de l'urbanisation sur l'écosystème estuarien de Libreville et de documenter sa biodiversité benthique. Ainsi, une nouvelle espèce deDiopatra a été découverte et recensée dans divers habitats, dont les mangroves. Cette espèce est détaillée, illustrée et ses informations génétiques (gène 16S) sont fournies. En effet, deDiopatra ariasisp. nov. est une nouvelle espèce de ver marin de taille moyenne, appartenant au groupe D. napolitain. Elle se distingue par un ensemble de caractéristiques uniques :
  • Tête/Antennes : Possède des antennes complexes avec de longs supports segmentés (cératophores à 9–12 anneaux) et des lobes sous la bouche ;
  • Sens : Inclut des bourgeons sensoriels en forme de demi-cercle ;
  • Respiration : Les organes respiratoires (branchies) sont de forme spiralée et commencent aux 4e ou 5e segments du corps ;
Segments du corps :
  • Les premiers segments possèdent des soies crochues et composées (falcigers) avec deux pointes ;
  • Les segments du milieu présentent des soies en forme de peigne (11–15 dents) ;
  • Les segments plus en arrière (à partir du 15e ou 18e) ont des crochets internes à deux pointes.




EN – Diopatra ariasisp. nov., holotype MNHN IA 2000–2125 (un–c), supplementary material SMA-NL232 (d). a. Dorsal view of the anterior end;b. Anterior end, lateral view; c. Anterior end, ventral view; d. Tube.
Abbreviations : Fl = frontal lips ; Ll = lower lips ; Mp = modified parapodia ; Ul =
Upper lip ; Up = unmodified parapodia. 

FR - Diopatra ariasisp. nov., holotype MNHN IA 2000–2125 (un–c), matériau supplémentaire SMA-NL232 (d). a. Vue dorsale de l'extrémité antérieure ; b. Extrémité antérieure, vue latérale ; c. Extrémité antérieure, vue ventrale ; d. Tube.
Abréviations : Fl, lèvres frontales ; Ll, lèvres inférieures ; Mp, parapodes modifiés ; Ul,
lèvre supérieure ; Up, parapodes non modifiés.
Authors / Auteurs : Nicolas Lavesque, Johann LM Happi, Aimé R. Nzigou, Guillemine Daffe, Flore Daramy, Martin M. Hektoen
Source  : Marine Biodiversity ,Volume 55, article number  94, (2025)
Published : 30 Octobre 2025
DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-025-01582-5

Keywords / Mots-clés :  16S, New species, Diopatra, Morphology, Polychaete, Taxonomy / 16S, Nouvelle espèce, Diopatra, Morphologie, Polychaete, Taxonomy

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