Family FLABELLIGERIDAE

Flabelligeridae

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Family FLABELLIGERIDAE

Bristle-cage Worms

Compiler and date details

Jan 2011 - P. Hutchings & M. Yerman, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

15 July 2003

Introduction

Flabelligerids are commonly referred to as "bristle-cage worms" because of the characteristic cage of long chaetae surrounding the head region. The body is generally fusiform with some species covered in silt and sand which adhere to a matrix of mucus secreted by papillae. Some genera may form tubes, others crawl over the surface, while others may live in U-shaped burrows. Flabelligerids are found in all types of substrates ranging from clay and mud to crevices of shell masses and rocks, and from the intertidal zone to abyssal depths. Those living in relatively unprotected habitats (such as sandy substrates) seem to have a more highly developed cephalic cage than others, probably as a result of protection of the delicate branchiae when exposed.

Figures of 6 genera and 8 species were given by Beesley et al. (2000: App. 1) for representation of the family in Australian waters, and 16 genera and 130+ species worldwide. This database includes the 6 described species from 4 genera recorded from Australia.

See Hutchings (2000) for detailed treatment of the family.

Database Notes

proof read against Day & Hutchings 1979 by RW
checked against DELTA CD 2003 by RTJ

Diagnosis

General features. Body shape vermiform, or grub-shaped; segments numerous (more than about 15); regionation absent. Body opaque, gut usually not visible, or more-or-less transparent, gut visible (gelatinous). Gelatinous body sheath absent, or present. Epidermis papillate, irregularly arranged papillae. Pygidium simple ring or cone. Pygidial appendages absent.
Head & head structures. Head not clearly identifiable (retracted into first segments). Eyes present; two pairs; situated on prostomium; without lenses. Palps paired; longitudinally grooved; dorsolateral. Nuchal organs indistinct paired dorsolateral patches. Peristomial ring absent.
Pharynx & pharyngeal apparatus. Foregut a ventral pharyngeal organ; dorsolateral ciliated folds present.
Body segments & parapodia. First segment chaetigerous. First chaetiger with both notochaetae and neurochaetae; more-or-less laterally directed and free from head, or anteriorly directed and wrapping around head (when prostomium retracted); chaetae similar in orientation, length and thickness to other chaetae, or slender and elongate, forming cage around head. Parapodia biramous with parapodial lobes absent or low; notopodial lobes represented by at least one chaetal lobe; neuropodial lobes represented by at least one chaetal lobe. Dorsal cirri absent. Ventral cirri absent. Branchiae present; arise from dorsum; occur only on achaetous first segments; filiform (four or more pairs, may be retractable).
Chaetae. Notochaetae present. Aciculae absent. Capillary chaetae hair-like; smooth; pseudo-segmented. Spines absent, or present in most or all chaetigers; in neuropodia only; slightly curved and more-or-less smooth, or sharply bent (=geniculate) or curved. Hooks absent. Compound chaetae absent, or present; appendage distally curved (=falcate); appendage not canaliculated; appendage with a single hood open in front; joint flat or pseudocompound; joint effected by fold in external sheath of chaeta; shaft tapering slightly or evenly thick from emergence to joint; shaft without distinct core. Compound falcigers present in most or all chaetigers.
Tube & burrow. Tube absent or unconsolidated. Burrow traces absent, or U-shaped.

The above description was generated from: 'C.J. Glasby & K. Fauchald (2002 onwards). POLiKEY. An information system for polychaete families and higher taxa: Version 1: September 2002.'
(See ABRS website: Online Resources: Polikey, for Version 2, released June 2003)