PORT PHILLIP BAY


Phyllodocid worm 

Sige dorsolobata Hartmann-Schröder, 1987

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Family level description.
Phyllodocidae are long-bodied predators in which the dorsal cirri are distinctly leaf-like and form long regular rows along each side of the body. They are often strongly pigmented in green or yellow. There is a short ovoid prostomium with two pairs of short anterior appendages (1 pair of palps; 1 pair of antennae); a single median antenna may also be present. The long eversible pharynx lacks jaws or other hard parts but typically has numerous papillae in various distinctive arrangements. Compound long-bladed chaetae are typical, in ventral positions.

Species level technical description.
Eyes superficial. Prostomium without dorsal posterior incision. Dorsal paired antennae broadest subproximally. Prostomial protuberance indistinct. Nuchal organs present as lateral prostomial protrusions. Nuchal organs and cirrophores of first pair of tentacular cirri fused basally. Median antenna present, closest to eyes. Pharynx not divided into 2 regions. Pharyngeal papillae large, conical to rounded, papillae on undivided pharynx densely and diffusely distributed all over proboscis. Anterior segments include at least two fused or reduced segments (i.e. at least one segment apparently with three pairs of tentacular cirri) (segment 1 dorsally reduced). Segment 1 and 2 not covering posterior part of prostomium, segment 1 with one pair of tentacular cirri arising immediately posterior to prostomium from the first visible segment after the prostomium. Segment 2 with dorsal tentacular cirri. Ventral tentacular cirri of segment 2 circular in cross-section. Segment 3 with dorsal cirri, with ventral cirri. Parapodia uniramous (notopodial aciculae absent), Notopodial capillary chaetae absent. Ventral cirri of median segments obliquely oriented.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Annelida
Class:
Polychaeta
Order:
Phyllodocida
Family:
Phyllodocidae
Genus:
Sige
Species:
dorsolobata

General Description

In members of this genus of minute orange-ish worms the anterior appendages and dorsal cirri are inflated and distinctly bulbous (the cirri are flattened in all other local Phyllodocidae). A median antenna is present. Body up to about 1 cm long.

Biology

Apparently common in reef habitats, however this small worm is easily overlooked.

Habitat

Port Phillip Bay and other similar coastal habitat, inshore and continental shelf.

Reefs

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Worms › Phyllodocid worms

Depth

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

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

1 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 4310

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, Phyllodocid worm, Sige dorsolobata, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 29 Oct 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7561

Text: creative commons cc by licence