Eunicidae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Eunicidae Temporal range: Ordovician–recent |
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| Eunice aphroditois | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Subkingdom: | Eumetazoa |
| Phylum: | Annelida |
| Class: | Polychaeta |
| Subclass: | Palpata |
| Order: | Eunicida |
| Family: | Eunicidae |
| Genera | |
Eunicidae is a family of polychaetes. Many eunicids reach a considerable size. Their jaws are known from Ordovician sediments.[1] They live throughout the seas; a few species are parasitic.[1]
One of the most conspicuous of the eunicids is the giant, dark purple, iridescent "Bobbit worm" (Eunice aphroditois), found at low tide under boulders on southern Australian shores. Its robust, muscular body can be as long as 2 metres.[2]
Some species of eunicids prey on coral. Individuals have been found living unnoticed in reef aquaria for long enough to grow to great size.[3][4]
They have an evertible proboscis.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Fauchald, K. (1992). "A review of the genus Eunice (Polychaeta: Eunicidae) based upon type material". Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology (523): 1–422. http://www.sil.si.edu/smithsoniancontributions/Zoology/pdf_hi/SCTZ-0523.pdf.
- ^ Keith Davey (2000). "Eunice aphroditois". Life on Australian Seashores. http://www.mesa.edu.au/friends/seashores/e_aphroditois.html. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
- ^ Weast, Steve. "The Great Worm Incident". Oregon, USA. http://www.oregonreef.com/sub_worm.htm. Retrieved 2009-03-27
- ^ "Giant Sea Worm Unmasked as Coral Killer". Newquay, UK. 2009-03-17. http://www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk/news-from-newquay/coral-worm.htm. Retrieved 2009-03-27
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