Redescription and resurrection of Typhlonereis gracilis Hansen, 1879 (Polychaeta, Nereididae)

It has not been possible to assign the deep-sea nereidid taxon Typhlonereis gracilis Hansen, 1879 to a correct systematic position. This has been due to the original inadequate description. A redescription based on the original material and five additional specimens from the Norwegian Sea is given, and the systematic position of this nereidid taxon without paragnaths or papillae on the pharynx is discussed. The anterior fragment front the original material is designated as a lectotype. A number of morphological characteristics indicate that this taxon should be considered valid. Typhlonereis gracilis lack notoachaetae in the first four chaetigers. a feature not found in any other nereidid taxon. All material was collected from the Norwegian Sea from depths between 2000 and 2500 m.