POLYCHAETES IN BRAZIL: PEOPLE AND PLACES, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Abstract: This review assesses the current knowledge of polychaetes from Brazil, focusing on its historical development, known diversity, available human resources and collections. Despite advances made over the last few decades, the diversity of polychaetes in Brazil remains poorly known, since most of the eight marine ecoregions in the country are not properly sampled. About 1,400 species of polychaetes are known from Brazilian waters, corresponding to 10 % of the valid species worldwide. Taxonomic training has increased, but the distribution of researchers along the extensive coast remains uneven, with stronger representation in the southeastern region. Current research shortcomings and suggestions to increase taxonomic training and knowledge of polychaetes in the country are presented and discussed.