Three new species of spionid polychaetes have been collected from biological communities associated with geothermal vents along the Galápagos Rift. Each species belongs to a separate genus, 2 of which are new.
Xandaros acanthodes, new genus and species, has branchial and neurosetal features unique to the family. A new genus,
Laubieriellus, is erected for
L. grasslei, new species, and
Prionospio salzi Laubier, 1970. A new species,
Prionospio {Minuspio) sandersi, is also described from vent communities. Samples taken as part of a study of the infaunal diversity in sediments near vent areas contained
Aurospio dibranchiata Maciolek, 1981, recently described from several Atlantic locations. This is the first Pacific record for
A. dibranchiata.
