Family ASPIDOSIPHONIDAE

Introduction

Aspidosiphonids are small to medium-sized sipunculans with a trunk of 4-40 mm in length. They either have a hardened, horny, gold to dark brown anal shield or a white, calcareous knob or cap, both clearly marked off at the anterior region of the trunk. The introvert lies ventral to the shield, except in the genus Cloeosiphon in which it arises from the centre of the cap. In all but one species the introvert protrudes at an angle of 45-90º ventral to the main axis of the trunk. Tentacles are small and finger-like and arranged in a near ring around the nuchal organ. The longitudinal musculature is continuous in Aspidosiphon (Aspidosiphon) and in Cloeosiphon, but in bundles (with anastomoses) in Aspidosiphon (Paraspidosiphon) and Lithacrosiphon. Two nephridia are present and two retractor muscles which may fuse for much of their length. The spindle muscle is attached posteriorly. The type genus is Aspidosiphon of Diesing (1851).

The length of the introvert is variable, but is usually about as long as or twice that of the trunk. It is covered with numerous rings of closely packed, recurved hooks; spines may be present. Spines, when present, usually lie in a field posterior to that of the hooks. A hardened caudal shield is often present at the posterior extremity of Aspidosiphon. Both anal and caudal shields consist of small to large pigmented plates or platelets. The contractile vessel is without villi.

The family contains three genera, the diverse and speciose genus Aspidosiphon, and the two small genera Cloeosiphon and Lithacrosiphon. Aspidosiphon species are almost sedentary in habit and live in discarded shells, solitary corals, in crevices and under rocks and are found boring in coral and limestone reefs where they play a part in the physical disintegration of the environment. They are probably detritus and algal feeders.

Aspidosiphonids are inhabitants of tropical and temperate waters, especially the former. The affinities of Australian species are Indo-western Pacific. Several species of Aspidosiphon are known from the Great Barrier Reef and from the limestone and coral reefs of north-western Western Australia. Aspidosiphon muelleri is a common inhabitant of the solitary coral Heteropsammia michelini in Queensland. Edmonds (1980) listed 10 species of Aspidosiphon, one of Cloeosiphon and one of Lithacrosiphon from Australian waters.

 

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp.

Diesing, K.M. 1851. Systema helminthum. Vindobonae : Braumüller Vol. II 588 pp.

Edmonds, S.J. 1980. A review of the systematics of Australian sipunculans (Sipuncula). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 1-74

Edmonds, S.J. 2000. Phylum Sipuncula. pp. 375-400 in Beesley, P.L., Ross, G.J.B. & Glasby, C.J. (eds). Polychaetes & Allies: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia Vol. 4A Polychaeta, Myzostomida, Pogonophora, Echiura, Sipuncula. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing Vol. 4 Part A xii 1-465 pp.

 

History of changes

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Genus Aspidosiphon Diesing, 1851

 

Taxonomic Decision for Subgeneric Arrangement

 

Distribution

States

Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

Australian Region

Neotropical Region

Oriental Region

Palaearctic Region

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [200]

 

History of changes

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Subgenus Aspidosiphon (Aspidosiphon) Diesing, 1851

 

Distribution

States

Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

Australian Region

Neotropical Region

Oriental Region

Palaearctic Region

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [213]

 

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Species Aspidosiphon (Aspidosiphon) elegans (Chamisso & Eysenhardt, 1821)

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Widespread and common in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans, Red Sea and Caribbean Sea; not known from the eastern pacific or eastern Atlantic Oceans.


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

Australian Region

Oriental Region

Palaearctic Region

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, rock reef, subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Lives in dead coral and soft rock in shallow waters.

 

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [214-215]

Edmonds, S.J. 1980. A review of the systematics of Australian sipunculans (Sipuncula). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 1-74 [44-46] (as Aspidosiphon elegans elegans)

 

History of changes

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Species Aspidosiphon (Aspidosiphon) gracilis (Baird, 1868)

Taxonomic Decision for Subspecies Arrangement

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

Oriental Region

History of changes

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Subspecies Aspidosiphon (Aspidosiphon) gracilis gracilis (Baird, 1868)

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Australian distribution — Low Is., QLD.


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

Oriental Region

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, intertidal.

 

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [216]

Edmonds, S.J. 1980. A review of the systematics of Australian sipunculans (Sipuncula). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 1-74 [46-47]

 

History of changes

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Species Aspidosiphon (Aspidosiphon) misakiensis Ikeda, 1904

 

Distribution

States

South Australia, Western Australia


Extra Distribution Information

Found in the Pacific, eastern and western Atlantic Oceans and Mediterranean Sea.


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Northwest Province (4), Central Western Transition (5)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

Neotropical Region

Palaearctic Region

Ecological Descriptors

Continental shelf, subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

1-75 m depth.

 

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [217-218]

Edmonds, S.J. 1956. Australian Sipunculoidea II. The genera Phascolosoma, Dendrostomum, Golfingia, Aspidosiphon and Cloeosiphon. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 7: 281-315 [306-307] (as Aspidosiphon hartmeyeri)

Edmonds, S.J. 1980. A review of the systematics of Australian sipunculans (Sipuncula). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 1-74 [47] (as Aspidosiphon hartmeyeri)

 

History of changes

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Aspidosiphon (Aspidosiphon) muelleri Diesing, 1851

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Common in the north-eastern Atlantic, Indian Oceans, Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean and Red Seas; not found in most of the Pacific Ocean.


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

Australian Region

Neotropical Region

Oriental Region

Palaearctic Region

Ecological Descriptors

Continental rise, continental shelf, continental slope, subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Mainly found 5-400 m depth, but several records down to 2900 m; most often found in dead gastropod or scaphopod shells.

 

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [218-220]

Edmonds, S.J. 1980. A review of the systematics of Australian sipunculans (Sipuncula). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 1-74 [46-49] (as Aspidosiphon exhaustus (p. 46), Aspidosiphon jukesii (p. 49) and Aspidosiphon inquilinus (pp. 47-48))

 

History of changes

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Subgenus Aspidosiphon (Paraspidosiphon) Stephen, 1964

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

Australian Region

Neotropical Region

Oriental Region

Palaearctic Region

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [221]

 

History of changes

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12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Aspidosiphon (Paraspidosiphon) laevis Quatrefages, 1865

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Widespread, but low density, in warm waters of the Indo-West pacific Ocean; also present in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

Australian Region

Oriental Region

Palaearctic Region

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, rock reef, subtidal.

 

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [222-224]

Edmonds, S.J. 1956. Australian Sipunculoidea II. The genera Phascolosoma, Dendrostomum, Golfingia, Aspidosiphon and Cloeosiphon. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 7: 281-315 [308-309] (as Aspidosiphon klunzingeri)

Edmonds, S.J. 1980. A review of the systematics of Australian sipunculans (Sipuncula). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 1-74 [50-53] (as Paraspidosiphon cumingii (p. 50) and Paraspidosiphon johnstoni (pp. 51-53))

 

History of changes

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Species Aspidosiphon (Paraspidosiphon) steenstrupii (Diesing, 1859)

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Common throughout the western and northern Indian Ocean, western Pacific Ocean; also recorded from the Caribbean Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean.


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

Australian Region

Neotropical Region

Oriental Region

Palaearctic Region

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, rock reef, subtidal.

 

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [225-226]

Edmonds, S.J. 1956. Australian Sipunculoidea II. The genera Phascolosoma, Dendrostomum, Golfingia, Aspidosiphon and Cloeosiphon. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 7: 281-315 [307-308] (as Aspidosiphon steenstrupii)

Edmonds, S.J. 1980. A review of the systematics of Australian sipunculans (Sipuncula). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 1-74 [51]

 

History of changes

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10-Jul-2023 10-Jul-2023 MOVED
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Aspidosiphon (Paraspidosiphon) tenuis Sluiter, 1886

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

An Indo-West Pacific Ocean species.


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

Oriental Region

Ecological Descriptors

Continental shelf, subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Generally in shallow water 1-50 m, sometimes at shelf depths.

 

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [226-227]

Edmonds, S.J. 1980. A review of the systematics of Australian sipunculans (Sipuncula). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 1-74 [50-51] (as Paraspidosiphon formosanus)

 

History of changes

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Genus Cloeosiphon Grübe, 1868

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

Australian Region

Oriental Region

Palaearctic Region

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [230-232]

 

History of changes

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10-Jul-2023 10-Jul-2023 MOVED
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Cloeosiphon aspergillus (Quatrefages, 1865)

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Found across the Indo-West Pacific Ocean.


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Afrotropical Region

Australian Region

Oriental Region

Palaearctic Region

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, rock reef, subtidal.

Extra Ecological Information

Often found in the coral Millipora.

 

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [232]

Edmonds, S.J. 1956. Australian Sipunculoidea II. The genera Phascolosoma, Dendrostomum, Golfingia, Aspidosiphon and Cloeosiphon. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 7: 281-315 [309-310]

Edmonds, S.J. 1980. A review of the systematics of Australian sipunculans (Sipuncula). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 1-74 [54]

 

History of changes

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10-Jul-2023 10-Jul-2023 MOVED
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Genus Lithacrosiphon Shipley, 1902

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

Neotropical Region

Oriental Region

Palaearctic Region

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [227]

 

History of changes

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10-Jul-2023 10-Jul-2023 MOVED
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Species Lithacrosiphon cristatus (Sluiter, 1902)

Taxonomic Decision for Subspecies Arrangement

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

Neotropical Region

Oriental Region

Palaearctic Region

History of changes

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Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
10-Jul-2023 10-Jul-2023 MOVED
12-Feb-2010 (import)

Subspecies Lithacrosiphon cristatus cristatus (Sluiter, 1902)

 

Distribution

States

Queensland


Extra Distribution Information

Wide tropical distribution in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea; no records from the Indian Ocean or eastern Atlantic Ocean; Australian distribution — Lizard Island, QLD.


Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

Neotropical Region

Oriental Region

Palaearctic Region

Ecological Descriptors

Coral reef, rock reef, subtidal.

 

General References

Cutler, E.B. 1994. The Sipuncula, their Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. New York : Cornell University Press 480 pp. [229-230]

Edmonds, S.J. 1980. A review of the systematics of Australian sipunculans (Sipuncula). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 1-74 [54-55]

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
10-Jul-2023 10-Jul-2023 MOVED
12-Feb-2010 (import)