Spirorbis

Spirorbis
Temporal range: Miocene–Recent[1]
Spirorbis spirorbis (modern)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Annelida
Class: Polychaeta
Order: Canalipalpata
Suborder: Sabellida
Family: Serpulidae
Genus: Spirorbis
Daudin, 1800
Species

see text

Spirorbis is a genus of very small (2-5mm) polychaete worms, usually with a white coiled shell. Members of the genus live in the lower littoral and sublittoral zones of rocky shores. Spirorbis worms usually live attached to seaweeds, but some species live directly on rocks, shells or other hard substrates. Spirorbis was once thought to have a fossil record extending back into the Early Paleozoic, but now all pre-Cretaceous spirorbins are known to be microconchids.[2] The earliest members of genus appeared in the Miocene, but Oligocene finds may also be possible. [3] The genus contains the following species:

References

  1. Wiesner, E. (1962). "Spirorbis-Deckel aus dem Frankfurter Aquitan". Senckenbergiana Lethaia 43: 367–374.
  2. Taylor, P.D. & Vinn, O (2006). "Convergent morphology in small spiral worm tubes ("Spirorbis") and its palaeoenvironmental implications". Journal of the Geological Society 163 (2): 225–228. doi:10.1144/0016-764905-145. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
  3. Wiesner, E. (1962). "Spirorbis-Deckel aus dem Frankfurter Aquitan". Senckenbergiana Lethaia 43: 367–374.

External links

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