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Lopadorhynchidae
Natural History
Lopadorhynchids are pelagic polychaetes which can be found in
surface waters and to depths of at least 1000 m (Uschakov 1972).
All lopadorhynchids are thought to be predators; they have
poorly developed eyes and appear to rely on tactile antennae
and tentacular cirri to detect prey which may be captured with the
modified and enlarged anterior parapodia and chaetae (Dales 1955b).
Diversity
The Lopadorhynchidae includes four genera: Lopadorhynchus, Maupasia, Pedinosoma and Pelagobia. No lopadorhynchids have been recorded from mainland Australian waters, but this
merely reflects the poor collecting effort and is mirrored by other pelagic polychaetes. Three lopadorhynchids are recorded from Antarctic seas: Maupasia caeca, Pelagobia longicirrata and P. viguieri (Hartman 1964).
Description |
Identification tips |
Natural History |
Diversity |
Checklist |
References |
Identification guide
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