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Iospilidae
Description
The prostomium is small and apparently fused
to the first segment. The peristomium is reduced
to lips. One pair of palps is present, antennae are absent.
Nuchal organs are present. One pair of eyes may be present.
The pharynx is eversible and carries a pair of hooks in
Phalacrophorus, but is unarmed in the other genera. The first
segment is poorly defined and has two pairs of tentacular cirri.
The anterior segments have only neuropodia present;
subsequent segments are biramous. Dorsal and
ventral cirri are present throughout. Aciculae are present. All
chaetae are compound spinigers. Branchiae
and pygidial cirri are absent. The body is short and has fewer
than 60 segments.
The above description is taken from Wilson (2000), which in turn is based on that of Fauchald & Rouse (1997).
Identification tips
Recognising the family
Iospilids are small, short-bodied, pelagic worms.
Distinguishing species
Description |
Identification tips |
Natural History |
Diversity |
Checklist |
References |
Identification guide
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