Taxonomic guide is based on polychaete voucher specimens(= the best preserved representatives of the morphospecies) collected during the surveys around the Falkland Islands (see Map), spanning depths of approximately 500m and 1000m. All samples were collected with quantitative samplers and sieved on 0.5 mm mesh-sized sieve, fixed in 4% formalin and finally preserved in 80% ethanol.
The taxonomic guide itself is an identification tool and its aim is not to solve taxonomic problems. These are merely highlighted (where possible), stressing the need for future work by taxonomic experts for particular polychaete groups. It is important to note, that only morphological examination has been carried out so far as the specimens were not suitable for molecular work. Ultimately, recent taxonomic research has shown that morphology can take us only so far and molecular work is often needed to resolve taxonomic problems. Bearing these caveats in mind, ~200+ polychaete morphospecies in taxonomic guide fall into three groups:
- “The Knowns” – these are species already known to science and described from “the region”. By “the region” we refer to Magellanic province, Patagonia, sub-Antarctic islands and parts of the Southern Ocean. Deeper-parts of the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans were also sometimes considered. These species are assigned to known Latin binomial (e.g. Onuphis pseudoiridescens Averincev, 1972). Rarely, a description was provided by other author/s subsequent to the original description, where such description provides a better information (or probably refers to “ a new”, but by that author unreconginsed species) we assigned this species by referring to the author with the help of “sensu” (e.g. Aonidella cirrobranchiata (Day, 1961) sensu Lopez, 2010). “The Knowns” represent a small group of Falkland Island fauna, and many species from Falkland Island collection were considered unknown.
- “The Unknowns" (new species) – includes species where the taxonomic work carried out in order to complete the taxonomic guide already established that these represent a new species. These are currently assigned to morphospecies name (e. g. Leitoscoloplos sp. 1). Some of these species, represented by complete and/or several specimens will be formally described in peer-reviewed journal. Some species are represented by only one specimen and/or are too incomplete to provide a full diagnosis of this species and it is hoped that future sampling work can provided better examples of these. Lastly, for some “problematic” groups (e.g. Sabellidae, Maldanidae, Terebellidae) collaboration with specialists will be sought in order to fully diagnose these species.
- “The Uncertain” – the status of such species is currently uncertain and these are designated “cf.” The reasons of uncertainty were usually as follow: specimens were too damaged and/or incomplete therefore not all characters could have been observed; species is considered cosmopolitan having a wide geographic and/or bathymetric distribution, with the type locality outside of “the region” as defined earlier (usually with type locality in Northern Europe); the original description is of little value (too short, too general, based on incomplete or damaged specimens, unaccompanied by drawings etc.). The type specimens housed at NHM collection were always examined, but those housed by other institutions were not requested due to time constraints of the initial phase of this project, but these should be examined as part future work.
Lastly, as with all scientific knowledge we do not consider information presented in this taxonomic guide as complete or final. It is likely that many other species not included in this guide will be found in waters around the Falkland Islands and it is our hope that these will be added as and when they are collected. The descriptions can be inevitably improved should a better (usually complete) example of the species be found. The names themselves will change (and should be updated) as species will be formally described and revised by future work. The contributions from polychaete research communities as well as from taxonomists working in environmental consultancy industries are welcomed and hopefully many future collaborations can be developed from this initial effort.