Syllidae

Syllidae
Syllis gracilis micrograph, showing the distinctive barrel-shaped proventricle
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Annelida
Class:Polychaeta
Order:Phyllodocida
Family:Syllidae
Grube 1850[1]
Schizogamy in syllid polychaete

Syllidae is a family of small to medium-sized polychaete worms. Syllids are distinguished from other polychaetes by the presence of a muscular region of the anterior digestive tract known as the proventricle.[2]

Syllid worms range in size from 2–3 mm (0.08–0.12 in) to 14 centimetres (5.5 in). Most syllids are benthic organisms that transition to a pelagic epitoke for reproduction. They are found in all regions of the ocean, from the intertidal zone to the deep sea, and are especially abundant in shallow water.[2][3]

They are found in a range of habitats, moving actively on rock and sandy substrates, hiding in crevices and among seaweeds, and climbing on sponges, corals, hydrozoans, seagrasses and mangroves. They are generalist feeders.[4]

One species in the family, Syllis ramosa, was the first polychaete discovered to have a branching body plan.[5]

Subfamilies

  • Anoplosyllinae
  • Autolytinae
  • Eusyllinae
  • Exogoninae
  • Syllinae

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gil, J.; Musco, L. (2015). Read G, Fauchald K, eds. "Syllidae Grube, 1850". World Polychaeta database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  2. 1 2 Fukuda, Marcelo V. "Syllidae". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  3. ↑ San Martín, Guillermo; Worsfold, Tim M. (2015). "Guide and keys for the identification of Syllidae (Annelida, Phyllodocida) from the British Isles (reported and expected species)". ZooKeys (488). pp. 1–29. doi:10.3897/zookeys.488.9061. PMC 4389122.
  4. ↑ Sigvaldadottir, Elin; Mackie, Andrew S.Y.; Helgason, Gudmundur V.; Reish,Donald J.; Svavarsson, Jorundur; Steingrimsson, Sigmar A.; Gudmundsson, Gudmundur (2013). Advances in Polychaete Research. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 288. ISBN 978-94-017-0655-1.
  5. ↑ Marshall, Michael (2 March 2012). "Zoologger: the worm that looks like a tree". New Scientist. Retrieved 28 September 2017.


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