The prostomium is small and rounded; antennae are absent.
One pair of grooved peristomial palps is present. Nuchal organs are located laterally on the prostomium. Differentiation of parapodia divides the body
into three regions: the first and subsequent
anterior segments have notopodia only; the mid-body
segments have biramous parapodia with prominent achaetous
notopodia and neuropodia, and; posterior segments have less
prominent parapodia, with both lobes pointed or with
neuropodia present as tori. Dorsal and ventral cirri, branchiae
and pygidial cirri are all absent. Aciculae are absent. Chaetae
are lancet-shaped capillaries, anteriorly,
modified spines on chaetiger 4, and uncini in
median and posterior neuropodia.
The above description is based on Wilson (2000), which in turn is based on Fauchald & Rouse (1997).
Identification tips
Recognising the family
[RW to add hints on distinguishing from other spionida ...]
Distinguishing species
Generally, due to the fragility of the worms, only the characters of the anterior and middle regions are used for identification. ... RW to complete ...
