The polychaete Notaulax yamasuisp. n. (Sabellidae) is described from Okinawa and Ogasawara, south Japan, where it was found living embedded in a dead skeleton of the coral Porites sp. The new species is characterized by the presence of a pigmented sub-distal swelling on the tips of the crown radioles, a unique feature among species of the genus. Besides, its collar chaetae have an L-shape orientation, and the dorsal basal flanges of the branchial lobes are long and have a dorsal joint.
Keywords: Boring species; Polychaeta; coral reef; new species description; taxonomy; worms.