Family PHYLLODOCIDAE

Phyllodocidae

© Copyright K. Atkinson

Museums

Regional Maps

Introduction

Phyllodocids are benthic polychaetes, often brightly coloured or with distinctive pigmentation patterns in life. A few phyllodocids apparently scavenge dead organisms and one species is reportedly a deposit feeder, but most species are predators. Phyllodocids have been observed tracking mucous trails in order to locate prey species. Prey are captured (and probably sensed) using the eversible pharynx, which is ornamented with papillae of a variety of forms. Breedings swarms of Phyllodocidae are known for some species, but in most cases sexually mature adults are not morphologically different from asexual specimens. They are distinguished from other families in the Phyllodocida by having an eversible papillated pharynx and leaf-like dorsal cirri.

Figures of 11 genera and 35 species were given by Beesley et al. (2000: App. 1) for representation of the family in Australian waters, and 18 genera and 356 species worldwide. This database includes 36 species from 12 genera.

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

Database Notes

checked against DELTA CD, 2003 by RTJ

Diagnosis

General features. Body shape vermiform; segments numerous (more than about 15); regionation absent. Body opaque, gut usually not visible. Pygidium simple ring or cone. Pygidial appendages present; one pair of cirri, or one pair of cirri and single medial papilla.
Head & head structures. Head discrete and compact, dorsal to mouth. Prostomium bluntly conical to trapezoidal (narrow end anteriorly). Eyes present; one pair; situated on prostomium; compound with lenses. Prostomial antennae present; paired arising anterolaterally, or include paired anterolateral ones and single medial one; smooth. Palps paired (resemble antennae); unarticulated; ventrolateral. Nuchal organs indistinct paired dorsolateral patches, or paired posterior projections. Peristomial ring absent.
Pharynx & pharyngeal apparatus. Foregut a muscular axial pharynx; surface smooth, or with soft papillae; papillae irregularly arranged, or in distinct rows; distal ring of papillae present.
Body segments & parapodia. First segment with tentacular cirri. Tentacular cirri 2–4 pair(s); arise on a single segment, or over two or more segments (segments often fused); internal aciculae absent. First chaetiger with neurochaetae only. Parapodia uniramous throughout; notopodial lobes absent; neuropodial lobes represented by at least one chaetal lobe. Dorsal cirri flattened and foliaceous. Ventral cirri present, cirriform or tapering, or foliaceous. Branchiae absent.
Chaetae. Notochaetae absent, or present. Aciculae present; in ventral position (=neuroaciculae). Capillary chaetae absent, or present; hair-like; smooth. Spines absent. Hooks absent. Compound chaetae present; appendage distally tapering to slender tips (=spinigerous); appendage not canaliculated; appendage without hoods or guards; joint distinctly asymmetrical (=heterogomph); joint effected by ligament(s); shaft distinctly inflated distally near joint; shaft without distinct core. Compound falcigers present in most or all chaetigers.
Tube & burrow. Tube absent or unconsolidated. Burrow traces absent.

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)

General References

Beesley, P.L., Ross, G.J.B. & Glasby, C.J. (eds) 2000. 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.

Fauchald, K. & Rouse, G. 1997. Polychaete systematics: Past and present. Zoologica Scripta 26: 71-138

Pleijel, F. 1991. Phylogeny and classification of the Phyllodocidae (Polychaeta). Zoologica Scripta 20: 225-261

History of changes