Family SPHAERODORIDAE

Sphaerodoridae

© Copyright Greg Rouse

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Introduction

Shaerodorids are most common on soft sediments in temperate to polar waters. They appear to be most diverse and abundant in shelf to deep sea depths. Little is known of the biology of the Sphaerodoridae. These benthic worms are distinguished by the presence of a series of macrotubercules arranged in rows on the dorsal and, usually, ventral surfaces of the body. Other papillate structures are also present.

Figures of 3 genera and 8 species were given by Beesley et al. (2000: App. 1) for representation of the family in Australian waters, and 10 genera and 79 species worldwide. This database includes the 11 described species from 3 genera in Australia.

See Wilson (2000) for detailed treatment of the family and Capa and Bakken (2015) for a revision of the family.

Diagnosis

General features. Body shape vermiform, or grub-shaped; segments numerous (more than about 15); regionation absent. Body opaque, gut usually not visible. Epidermis tuberculate, with large and small tubercles arranged in distinct rows. Pygidium simple ring or cone. Pygidial appendages present; one pair of cirri and single medial papilla.
Head & head structures. Head discrete and compact, dorsal to mouth. Prostomium rounded to oval (anteriorly truncate) (very small). Eyes absent, or present; two pairs; situated on prostomium; without lenses. Prostomial antennae present; include paired anterolateral ones and single medial one; smooth. Palps paired (may resemble antennae); unarticulated; ventrolateral. Nuchal organs indistinct paired dorsolateral patches. Peristomial ring absent.
Pharynx & pharyngeal apparatus. Foregut a muscular axial pharynx; distal ring of papillae present (?); proventricle present (?).
Body segments & parapodia. First segment with tentacular cirri. Tentacular cirri 1 pair(s); arise on a single segment; 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 more-or-less cirriform. Ventral cirri present, cirriform or tapering. Branchiae absent.
Chaetae. Notochaetae absent. Aciculae present; in ventral position (=neuroaciculae). Capillary chaetae absent. Spines absent, or present only in one or a few anterior chaetigers, or present in most or all chaetigers; in neuropodia only; slightly curved and more-or-less smooth. Hooks absent. Compound chaetae absent, or present; appendage distally curved (=falcate); appendage not canaliculated; appendage without hoods or guards; joint distinctly asymmetrical (=heterogomph); joint effected by ligament(s); 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.

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

Capa, M. & Bakken, T. 2015. Revision of the Australian Sphaerodoridae (Annelida) including the description of four new species. Zootaxa 4000(2): 227-267

History of changes