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Trochochaetidae
Description
The prostomium is anteriorly rounded, and a median antenna
may be present. Paired grooved peristomial palps are present. Nuchal organs are present as ciliated grooves on the posterior prolongation of the prostomium. The first
segment has biramous parapodia which project anteriorly, but is otherwise similar to subsequent
chaetigers. Several median chaetigers have only neuropodia
and neurochaetae; the notopodial lobe is reduced to a small
cirrus. Branchiae, tentacular cirri and dorsal and ventral cirri
are absent. Numerous pygidial cirri may be present, as may
several ventral retractile cirri. Aciculae are
absent. Chaetae are all simple, variously ornamented
capillaries and spines.
The above description is taken from Wilson (2000), which in turn follows that of Fauchald & Rouse (1997).
Identification tips
Recognising the family
The presence of a pair of palps, the division of the body into distinct anterior ("thoracic") and posterior ("abdominal") regions, and the absence of notopodia and notochaetae on a few median segments distinguishes the Trochochaetidae from other polychaete families.
Distinguishing species
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