Species diversity and faunal characteristics of marine polychaetes in the Yellow Sea
黄海多毛环节动物多样性及区系的初步研究

Polychaetes are one of the most frequent and dominant groups among the marine macrobenthos.Thus,they often play an important role in marine benthic ecosystems.The present study summarizes the literature data on the taxonomy,biodiversity and biogeography of marine polychaetes recorded in the China seas.A critical checklist of 278 species of polychaetes found from the Yellow Sea is presented.The faunal characteristics and biogeographical patterns of the polychaetes from the Yellow Sea were compared with those from the other areas of the China seas.