PORT PHILLIP BAY


Flabelligerid worm 

Diplocirrus sp. MoV 2626

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Family level description.
Flabelligeridae are short-bodied grub-like worms which are usually recognisable from their conspicuous anterior "cage" of long chaetae enclosing the anterior end and a dense covering of papillae over most of the body. They also have paired grooved palps, interramal papillae and spines only in the neuropodia (ventral foot). Chaetae include pseudo-segmented capillaries and, in some taxa, compound short-bladed chaetae.

Species level technical description.
Body shape anteriorly inflated with tapering posterior end. Body texture papillated, anteriorly distributed randomly, elongate papillae with sand grains attached. Body surface without a thick translucent sheath. Cephalic cage present (long forwardly directed irridescent chaetae which enclose the head); cephalic cage poorly developed. Oral cavity long cylindrical tube absent. Branchiae present, 4-6 pairs, 2 rows of branchiae; Branchial membrane short and rounded or triangular; small branchial filaments. Notochaetae cross-barred capillary. Neurochaetae all capillaries, distinctly articulate posterior to cephalic cage; golden with strong annulations and curved unidentate tips.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Annelida
Class:
Polychaeta
Order:
Terebellida
Family:
Flabelligeridae
Genus:
Diplocirrus

General Description

In members of this genus the body is anteriorly inflated, the surface has randomly distributed papillae and there are two rows of branchiae. Body up to about 5 cm long.

Biology

There has been no taxonomic study of southern Australian Flabelligeridae since Haswell described several species in 1892, and although at least 3 genera occur in our region, the identity of local species remains uncertain.

Habitat

Inshore including bays and estuaries, on muddy bottoms, sometimes among seagrass.

Seagrass meadows

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

South-eastern Australia.

Species Group

Worms › Flabelligerid worms

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

5 cm

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

sp. MoV 2626

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Wilson, R.

Robin Wilson is a Senior Curator of marine invertebrates at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Wilson, R., 2011, Flabelligerid worm, Diplocirrus , in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7451

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