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Potamodrilidae
Description
Prostomium fused to peristomium, flattened, frontally blunt. Peristomial part limited to lips. Antennae and palps absent. Nuchal organs present (as paired sensory papillae). Longitudinal muscles apparently grouped in bundles; segmentation present. All segments similar, with similar equipment. All parapodial structures, including tentacular, dorsal and ventral cirri absent. Gills, epidermal papillae and pygidial cirri absent. Lateral organs and dorsal cirrus organs not observed. Stomodaeum with structure resembling a ventral buccal organ. Gular membrane absent; gut a straight tube. Nephridia metanephridia; connection to coelomoducts not documented. Nephridia present in segments 1 and 2; female gonads in segment 5 and male gonads in segment 6. Circulatory system closed; heart body absent. Aciculae absent. All chaetae capillaries.
The above description is taken from Fauchald and Rouse (1997) which in turn is based on Bunke (1988).
The Potamodrilidae, together with the Aeolosomatidae, have been considered to be members of the Clitellata prior to the analysis of Rouse & Fauchald (1997) which placed them as provisional Polychaeta incertae sedis. However, Potamodrilidae and Aeolosomatidae may yet be removed back to the Clitellata (Rouse 2000).
Identification tips
Recognising the family
The Potamodrilidae is most similar to the Aeolosomatidae, and Potamodrilus was previously placed within that family.
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