Family PECTINARIIDAE

Pectinariidae

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Family PECTINARIIDAE

Trumpet Worm, Ice-cream Cone Worm

Compiler and date details

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

24 July 2003

Introduction

Pectinariids are selective subsurface deposit feeders which live almost perpendicular in the sediment, head down. They are rarely abundant but are widespread, especially on well-sorted sandy sediments. Pectinariids are easily recognised by their tube of cemented sand grains which resembles an ice-cream cone. They also have a characteristic set of golden paleae surrounding the mouth which they use for digging in soft sediments.

Figures of 2 genera and 6 species were given by Beesley et al. (2000: App. 1) for representation of the family in Australian waters, and 5 genera and ~51 species worldwide.

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

Database Notes

This database has followed Fauchald, 1977 in recognising 5 genera of pectinariids. However, some authors regard only 2 genera (Pectinaria and Petta) and in those cases the other 3 genera are considered subgenera of Pectinaria.

The Pectinariidae have often be referred to as Amphictenidae Grube, 1851; however, the ICZN decided over 15 years ago in favour of Pectinariidae (even though Amphictenidae pre-dated it).

checked against DELTA CD, 2003 by RTJ

Diagnosis

General features. Body shape arenicoliform; segments numerous (more than about 15); regionation present, comprising distinct thorax and abdomen; regions demarcated by absence of abdominal notopodia. Glandular ventral shields present. Pre-pygidial region as flattened, foliaceous scaphe. Pygidium simple ring or cone. Pygidial appendages absent, or present; more than four cirri.
Head & head structures. Head bearing many tentacles (=oral filaments) around mouth. Operculum present. Prostomium projects as a tentacular membrane (a smooth or fringed veil). Eyes absent, or present; one pair; situated on pygidium. Oral filaments present; arise outside on membrane above mouth. Palps absent. Nuchal organs paired posterior projections. Peristomial ring absent.
Pharynx & pharyngeal apparatus. Foregut a ventral pharyngeal organ; dorsolateral ciliated folds present.
Body segments & parapodia. First segment chaetigerous (highly modified forming an operculum). First chaetiger anteriorly directed and wrapping around head; chaetae projecting obliquely, distinctly thicker and more shiny than subsequent ones (=paleae). Parapodia biramous with prominent parapodial lobes; notopodial lobes represented by at least one chaetal lobe; neuropodial lobes low ridges (tori) (over much of body). Lateral organs present. Dorsal cirri absent. Ventral cirri absent. Branchiae present; arise from dorsum; occur only on achaetous first segments; digitiform and lamellate (first two pairs digitiform; second two pairs lamellate).
Chaetae. Notochaetae present. Aciculae absent. Capillary chaetae hair-like; smooth, or hirsute-serrate. Paleae present laterally on segment 2. Spines absent, or present only in posterior chaetigers (in pre-pygidial scaphe); sharply bent (=geniculate) or curved. Hooks absent. Uncini present; with teeth in vertical series, teeth usually similar-sized (=pectinate); arranged in more than two rows.
Tube & burrow. Tube cone-shaped of close-fitting sand grains.

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)