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Spintheridae
Description
Spintherids are dorso-ventrally flattened, ovoid-shaped
polychaetes. The prostomium is minute, carries a single
median antenna and usually four eyes, and is
enveloped by anterior parapodia. A muscular, cylindrical
pharynx opens to a ventral mouth; jaws are
absent. The peristomium and first segment are reduced and
inconspicuous. The parapodia are biramous and elongate
with anterior ones directed anteriorly and
posterior ones directed posteriorly; dorsal and ventral cirri are
usually absent. A purported autapomorphy of the family is the
presence of notopodia which form transverse membranous
ridges over most of the dorsal surface. Notochaetae are spine-like, distally entire or bifid
and arranged in transverse rows. Neuropodia are
cylindrical and carry compound neurochaetae which have a
folded joint and a strongly curved blade.
The above description is taken from Glasby (2000).
Identification tips
Recognising the family
The distinctive oval shaped body, flattened in adults, and the absence of dorsal cirri, distinguishes the Spintheridae from other polychaetes.
Distinguishing species
Species of Spinther can be distinguished using the following characters: number of pairs of eyes, presence or absence of dorsal and ventral cirri and the structure of the spine-like notochaetae.
Description |
Identification tips |
Natural History |
Diversity |
Checklist |
References |
Identification guide
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