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Poecilochaetidae
Description
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The prostomium is anteriorly truncate. A median ventral
papillose antenna is present. Nuchal organs are present as
three posteriorly directed digitiform lobes. The peristomium
is reduced to lips, and one pair of grooved peristomial palps is
present. The first segment is similar to subsequent segments,
though it may be slightly enlarged and parapodia and chaetae
project anteriorly. The parapodia are biramous;
each lobe is a ridge with a flask-shaped tapering postchaetal
lobe. Dorsal and ventral cirri are absent.
Branchiae are present as flattened parapodial structures.
Numerous pygidial cirri are present. Aciculae are absent.
Chaetae are all simple; feathered or otherwise modified
capillaries or thick spines are present.
The above
description is taken from Wilson (2000), which follows that of Fauchald & Rouse (1997).
Identification tips
Recognising the family
The Poecilochaetidae have a pair of grooved feeding palps,
forward-projecting chaetae which makes a cephalic ‘cage’
and flask-shaped parapodial lobes.
Distinguishing species
Description | Identification
tips | Natural History | Diversity
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