Amazing diversity of Nothria (Annelida, Onuphidae) in the Australian deep sea

The epibenthic onuphid genus Nothria Malmgren, 1867 presently comprises 21 accepted species. We are reporting here on specimens collected during six deep-sea expeditions of the RV Investigator from 2015–2018 to Great Australian Bight (GAB) and off eastern Australia Tasmania Queensland, describing eight new species Nothria. This is first integrated study genus, sequencing markers COI, 16S rDNA 28S 37 employing conventional exploratory morphological characters as well tube consistency structure for identification. Molecular data provided strong support recognition otsuchiensis Imajima, 1986 complex. Since analysis morphology between this complex has not revealed any obvious differences, it may represent a cryptic digitata sp. nov. was at depth 400 m whilst remaining seven depths 980–2751 m. deltasigma nov., N. minima were single station each, while josae simplex found two stations. However, delta displayed widest distribution, occurring GAB, Jervis Bay Marine Park, NSW. Most stations yielded only one species, Park south Brians, Tasmania, harboured two, but an astounding example sympatry discovered Huon where three lizae orensanzi together in station.