PORT PHILLIP BAY


Phyllodocid worm 

Phyllodoce duplex Mcintosh, 1885

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 with dorsal posterior incision. Dorsal paired antennae broadest basally. Prostomial protuberance indistinct. Nuchal organs present as lateral prostomial protrusions. Nuchal organs and cirrophores of first pair of tentacular cirri separate basally. Median antenna present as a papilla. Pharynx divided into 2 regions. Basal region of divided pharynx with large, conical to rounded papillae, Extent of papillae on basal region of divided pharynx uniformly covering basal region. Anterior segments all distinct (i.e. one pair or two pairs (dorsal and ventral) of tentacular cirri present on each segment) (although segment 1 may be covered dorsally by posterior projection of prostomium). 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. 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 horizontally oriented.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Annelida
Class:
Polychaeta
Order:
Phyllodocida
Family:
Phyllodocidae
Genus:
Phyllodoce
Species:
duplex

General Description

In members of this genus the prostomium is distinctly heart-shaped and the pharynx has two distinct regions characterised by differing arrangements of papillae. A median antenna is absent. Body up to about 5-10 cm long.

Biology

These predatory worms can frequently be seen at low tide on sand flats where they roam around seeking mucus trails of various prey species which they then follow and capture. They have also been collected in a variety of other habitats.

Habitat

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

Soft substrates

Seagrass meadows

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Worms › Phyllodocid worms

Depth

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

Max Size

10 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

MoV 4298

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, Phyllodoce duplex, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 05 Oct 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7577

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