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Pilargidae
Description
Pilargids have an elongate, cylindrical or dorso-ventrally
flattened body that is sometimes inflated anteriorly. The
prostomium, which may be incised, bears two or three
antennae, or antennae are absent. The palps
are usually biarticulate, but they may be fused together or
reduced, and two pairs of peristomial (or tentacular) cirri are
usually present (rarely absent). The pharynx is usually
unarmed and has a circlet of distal papillae. The parapodia are
biramous, but with the notopodial ramus reduced. Notochaetae are spines (may be absent), and
neurochaetae include capillaries, furcate chaetae
and spines.
The above description is taken from Glasby (2000), which in turn is based largely on Glasby (1993).
Identification tips
Recognising the family
Specimens of pilargids slightly resemble members of the Nereididae in having a pair of biarticulate palps and peristomial tentacular cirri. However, Pilargidae are distinguished by having a pharynx which usually lacks jaws (except members of the genus Cabira, which is apparently not well represented in Australia), reduced parapodia and simple chaetae. They are not common in benthic habitats.
Distinguishing species
Pilargid genera and species are distinguished by the shape of the notopodial spines and the segments on which they first occur, development of dorsal and ventral cirri and the presence or absence of prostomial antennae and tentacular cirri.
Description | Identification
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