Onuphidae

Onuphidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polychaeta
Subclass: Aciculata
Order: Eunicida
Family: Onuphidae
Kinberg, 1865 [1]
Genera
See text

The Onuphidae are a family of polychaete worms.

Characteristics

Most onuphids have tubes. Some live semisubmerged in the substrate, but others carry their tubes around, and they can all rebuild their tubes if necessary. The tubes, thin and parchment-like, are formed of bits of shell and sand, with plant debris, stuck together with mucus. The onuphids are all omnivorous scavengers, feeding on animal and vegetable debris.[2][3]

The prostomium has two short frontal antennae, two globular palps and five main antennae. The mandibles are large and the maxillae have several pairs of plates edged with fine teeth. Some tentacular cirri are present. The anterior parapodium points forward and has tapered ventral cirri. The posterior parapodium has cushion-like cirri. The setae include winged capillaries and pseudocompound forms on the anterior parapodia and winged capillaries, comb-setae and acicular setae on the posterior ones.[2]

Genera

The World Register of Marine Species includes these genera in the family:[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Read, Geoff (2010). G. Read & K. Fauchald, ed. "Onuphidae". World Polychaeta database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  2. 1 2 Onuphidae Marine Errant Polychaetes in Hong Kong. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
  3. Family Onuphidae A Guide To Singapore Polychaetes. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
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